UNI Falls in Fourth Quarter Shootout at EWU, 34-30

Saturday, September 17

Cheney, Wash.

6 p.m.

University of Northern Iowa

1-2

Eastern Washington

2-1

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

UNI

Eastern Washington

UNI Falls in Fourth Quarter Shootout at EWU, 34-30

9/17/2016 10:13:00 PM | Football

Box Score

CHENEY, Wash. – Despite having a lead 17-point lead at halftime, the University of Northern Iowa football program couldn't come out on top after a fourth quarter shootout, falling 34-30.

UNI held a 24-7 lead at halftime, but Eastern Washington scored 21 unanswered points to take a 28-24 lead with 14:25 left to play in the game. Senior Matt Easley hit two field goals, including a career-long 49-yarder to take a 30-28 lead with less than five minutes to play, but EWU was able to drive down field and get into field goal range.

The Eagles were on the field to attempt a 33-yard field goal, but faked the play with Ryan Hennessey throwing a 23-yard pass over the middle to Beau Byus to score and take the final lead of 34-30. UNI regained the ball with 43 seconds on the clock, but fumbled, eventually falling to the No. 6 ranked Eagles.

Aaron Bailey finished the game with 101 yards on the ground with two rushing touchdowns and 174 yards on 13 passes. A.J. Allen finished with a career-high in tackles for the third week in a row, leading the team with 12.

The Panthers controlled the game early in the first quarter, holding Eastern Washington to just 10 total offensive yards and no first downs. The Panthers scored on their first offensive drive of the game, going 75 yards down field to take 5:29 off the clock on 11 plays. Bailey punched UNI's first touchdown in on a one-yard rush to put UNI up 7-0 with 9:31 on the clock in the first quarter.

UNI scored the only points in the first quarter, keeping the Eagles at bay. The Panthers extended its score later in the quarter on a 35-yard field goal from senior Matt Easley, putting UNI up 10-0 with 2:49 left to play in the quarter. The field goal was set up largely in part to a key interception from Charles Brown, who returned it to the EWU 18-yard-line, giving UNI great offensive field position.

UNI's defensive line kept the pressure on the Eagles, only allowing 58 yards on the ground in the first half, but EWU took to the passing game to gain a touchdown and cut UNI's lead to 10-7 with 11:26 left in the second quarter. The five-yard passing touchdown from Gage Gubrud to Shaq Hill ended an eight-play, 80-yard drive that burned 2:40 off the clock.

The Panthers answered quickly with Michael Malloy breaking free for a 30-yard rushing touchdown on the next drive, giving UNI a 17-7 lead at the 9:38 mark. The rushing touchdown ended a 65-yard drive for four plays and 1:48 on the clock.

UNI's defense continued to give the Panthers strong starting position for offensive drives, leading to UNI's next touchdown with 6:06 left to play in the half. Bailey scored his second rushing touchdown of the game on a three-yard rush after he had a 25-yard rush to get the Panthers in the red zone. The score gave UNI a 24-7 lead for five plays and 45 yards.

Despite a first half domination from the Panthers, Eastern Washington started the second half with a 93-yard kickoff return in the hands of Antoine Custer. The kickoff return by Custer cut the UNI lead to 24-14, taking only five seconds off the clock.

The Eagles added to its score, cutting UNI's lead to just three points with 6:42 on the clock in the third. Ryan Hennessey took over at quarterback for EWU in the third quarter, linking up with Kendrick Bourne for 37 yards into the end zone, making it 24-21. The drive ended in seven plays for 65 yards and 2:25 off the clock.

Eastern Washington continued to score uncontested in the second half, taking its first lead of the game with 14:25 left in the fourth quarter. Hennessey found Stu Stiles open for a seven-yard touchdown, ending a seven-play, 52-yard drive.

UNI scored its first points of the second half with 11:12 on the clock in the fourth quarter when Easley hit a clutch 36-yard field goal to cut the Eagle lead to one-point. The Panthers got into field goal range after Bailey threw a 44-yard pass to Jaylin James to put them on the EWU 25-yard-line. The field goal ended an eight-play, 66-yard drive that took 3:13 off the clock.

It was by the foot of Easley that UNI regained the lead, with the senior from Newton, Iowa, scoring a career-long 49-yarder, putting the Panthers up 30-28, ending a five-play, 39-yard drive.

EWU had possession of the ball with 4:13 left in the game, driving 75 yards down the field to the UNI 23-yard-line, leading to the eventual fake field goal. The Eagles were facing a 4-and-13 situation, using it to their advantage for the fake and taking the lead and the 34-30 win.

UNI will return to action on Saturday, Oct. 1 when they host Southern Illinois for homecoming and its Missouri Valley Football Conference opener. The game will kick off at 4 p.m.

Post-Game Notes vs. Eastern Washington (PDF Box Score)

Captains against Eastern Washington: #15 Aaron Bailey, #30 D'Shawn Dexter, #72 Robert Rathje, #93 Karter Schult.
Senior Matt Easley scored a career-long 49-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter.
Aaron Bailey has moved into a tie for No. 10 all-time at UNI in career rushing touchdowns, giving him a total of 22. He tied former UNI standout, Pat Grace, who had 22 rushing touchdowns from 2006-09.
Senior defensive lineman Karter Schult notched his first-career interception against Eastern Washington, coming up with a huge play for the Panthers in the third quarter.
Karter Schult became the UNI record holder for career tackles for loss with his 3.5 against the Eagles. He now has 44 total, passing James Ruffin who had 43 from 2005-09.
A.J. Allen has now either tied or set a new career-high in tackles for three consecutive weeks. The sophomore finished with 12 against Eastern Washington, surpassing his seven he set against Montana. His 12 tackles was a team-high.
Michael Malloy's 30-yard rushing touchdown was a career-long for the senior.