University of Northern Iowa Athletics
University of Northern Iowa
1-1
Montana
2-0
UNI's Rally Falls Short, Montana Tops Panthers, 20-14
9/10/2016 8:58:00 PM | Football
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The University of Northern Iowa football team fell to the No. 14 Montana Grizzlies on Saturday, 20-14. UNI has an overall record of 1-1 heading into the third week of play.
The Panthers scored with eight minutes left in the game to cut the Montana lead to six points, then forcing the Grizzlies to two three-and-outs. But UNI was unable to put points in its column after regaining possession with 1:14 on the clock, eventually suffering its first loss of the season.
Aaron Bailey finished the game 16-37-0 for 194 yards and a touchdown, only pushing in eight yards rushing while Tyvis Smith racked up 130 yards on the ground, while averaging 6.5 yards per carry. Daurice Fountain led the Panthers in receiving, finishing the game with 97 yards and a touchdown.
On the defensive side of the ball, senior Karter Schult tied his career-high in tackles with 10, also tying the school record for tackles for loss in a game with 5.5. A.J. Allen added a career-high seven along with Hezekiah Applegate who pitched in an additional seven tackles and a sack.
Montana jumped on the scoreboard first in the game, taking a 7-0 lead with 11:52 left in the first quarter. Grizzly quarterback Brady Gustafson found Josh Horner wide open on the sideline for a 34-yard passing touchdown for the lead, ending a five-play, 62-yard drive that burned 1:41 off the clock.
Montana added to the score with a 47-yard field goal at the 8:20 mark with UNI struggling to find rhythm on offense. The field goal gave the Grizzlies a 10-0 lead, ending a six-play drive that took 1:59 off the clock.
UNI cut the Montana lead to three points after gaining momentum on the ground with Tyvis Smith finding the end zone on the back end of a one-yard rush. Aaron Bailey and Smith combined for 48 rushing yards during the drive that had nine plays for 63 yards, making the score 10-7 with 3:56 on the clock in the first quarter.
The Grizzlies and the Panthers started a defensive battle in the second quarter that included Schult grabbing two key sacks to keep the Grizzlies off the scoreboard. Unfortunately, UNI failed to make tackles on special teams, allowing Montana's Jerry Louie-McGee to score an 81-yard punt return with 7:07 left to play in the quarter, putting the Grizzlies up 17-7.
Montana knocked in its second field goal of the game to make its score an even 20 with 2:09 on the clock, the last points of the first half. The 35-yard field goal by Tim Semenza ended a 2:38 drive that took 10 plays for 75 yards, giving the Grizzlies a 20-7 lead.
The teams were scoreless in the third quarter, but UNI broke the drought and scored on a 28-yard passing touchdown from Bailey to Fountain to cut the Montana lead to 20-14. The score took place at the 8:01 mark in the fourth quarter for eight plays and 66 yards, taking 2:50 off the clock.
The UNI defense continued to make stands down the line, including incredible coverage from Elijah Campbell on the deep ball, but the Panthers were unable to produce on the offensive side of the ball. The Panthers had possession at the 5:38 mark and 1:14 mark, with no points scored, falling to the Grizzlies with a final score of 20-14.
UNI will return to action when they travel to Cheney, Wash. to take on the Eastern Washington Eagles. The game is set for a 6 p.m. CT kick.
Post-Game Notes vs. Montana
- Captains against Montana: #30 D'Shawn Dexter, #93 Karter Schult, #72 Robert Rathje, #15 Aaron Bailey.
- Karter Schult tied the school record for tackles for loss in a game, recording 5.5. He tied for the record with John Hermann who had 5.5 against Northern Arizona in 2005.
- Karter Schult finished the game with a career-high tying 10 tackles. A.J. Allen also notched a career-high in tackles for the second consecutive week, finishing the game with seven.
- Tyvis Smith finished with 130 rushing yards against Montana, the fifth game in his career he has reached the 100-yard rushing mark.
Team Stats
UM 7, UNI 0
UM - Josh Horner 34 yd pass from Brady Gustafson (Tim Semenza kick) 5 plays, 62 yards, TOP 1:41
UM 10, UNI 0
UM - Tim Semenza 47 yd field goal 6 plays, 14 yards, TOP 1:59
UM 10, UNI 7
UNI - Smith, Tyvis 1 yd run (Errthum, Austin kick), 9 plays, 63 yards, TOP 2:52
UM 17, UNI 7
UM - Jerry Louie-McG 81 yd punt return (Tim Semenza kick)
UM 20, UNI 7
UM - Tim Semenza 35 yd field goal 10 plays, 75 yards, TOP 2:38
UM 20, UNI 14
UNI - Fountain, D. 28 yd pass from Bailey, Aaron (Easley, Matt kick) 8 plays, 66 yards, TOP 2:50
