UNI Falls to No. 2 NDSU in Fargo

Saturday, October 28

Fargo, N.D.

2:30 p.m.

University of Northern Iowa

4-4 , 3-2

North Dakota State

8-0 , 5-0

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

UNI

North Dakota State

UNI Falls to No. 2 NDSU in Fargo

10/28/2017 6:31:00 PM | Football

Box Score

FARGO, N.D. – Despite a strong defensive effort on the road, No. 25 Northern Iowa's upset bid fell short against No. 2 North Dakota State as turnovers doomed the Panthers on the road, 30-14.

UNI fell to 4-4 overall and 3-2 in MVFC play, while the undefeated Bison extended their record to 8-0 overall and 5-0 in the MVFC.

The Panther defense forced two early turnovers against the Bison, while also blocking two first quarter field goals but couldn't cash in on the early opportunities. The UNI defense held NDSU to 28 rushing yards at halftime, before the Bison gained 141 in the second half.

Senior Daurice Fountain caught both of UNI's touchdowns, after an eight and 32-yard tosses from Eli Dunne. With his five catches on Saturday, Fountain is now tied for 10th all-time in career receptions at UNI with 128 total.

"As a leader we have to find a way to keep going, because the season isn't over yet," Fountain said. "As a leader I just have to keep pushing these guys and encouraging them to their full potential, because I know as a team we haven't reached it yet."

To begin the game, UNI's defense held its own against the No. 2 scoring offense in the FCS as the Panthers picked off NDSU's twice in the first half, while blocking two field goals. Both interceptions were snagged by Elijah Campbell, with Adam Reth knocking down both field goals.

UNI got on the board first, with Dunne lobbing a pass to Fountain in the back of the end zone to go up, 7-0 with 11:14 remaining in the second quarter. The Bison defense would earn NDSU's first points of the day, after Robbie Grimsley returned a Dunne interception 27 yards for a touchdown.

Knotted at 7-7 at halftime, NDSU came out of the break and scored on its first drive following an eight-play, 75-yard drive capped by a 22-yard Ty Brooks touchdown run. After the Bison earned their second fumble of the day following a strip of Dunne, NDSU converted the turnover into three points with 7:54 remaining in the third quarter.

With a 17-7 lead, the Bison used a pair of penalties to fuel an eight-play, 93-yard drive that ended with a 31-yard touchdown toss from Stick to RJ Urzendowski. The Bison would miss the extra point, to continue special team woes for NDSU.

The Bison would earn another touchdown after the NDSU offense would be set up at the 26 following a strip sack. The Bison ran in a one-yard score from Bruce Anderson to go up 30-7.

The Panthers wouldn't quit, despite trailing by four scores as UNI struck for a 32-yard touchdown after Dunne found Fountain once again. The score moved Fountain into a tie for eighth all-time at UNI for career touchdown receptions (18).

"It's an honor to be in the history books," Fountain said. "I honestly wasn't aware of it until tonight, but I have to give thanks to my teammates for giving me that opportunity. At the end of the day it's about the team, so I can't focus on records right now."

UP NEXT
UNI caps its stretch against top-10 foes as the Panthers host No. 7 South Dakota on Saturday, Nov. 4 at 1 p.m. CT.

TICKETS
Fans can purchase season and single-game tickets to UNI football home games through UNITIX. Call 319-273-4849 or visit www.UNITIX.uni.edu.

SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on the UNI football program, follow the Panthers on Twitter at "@UNIFootball" and on Facebook at "UNI Football."

ADDITIONAL NOTES

UNI has not won in Fargo since 2009.
Elijah Campbell's two interceptions are the most in a single game for the senior safety.
The two blocked field goals by Adam Reth are tied for the most by any Panther for a single game.
Senior wide receiver Daurice Fountain moved into 10th place at UNI for career receptions, with 128 total catches for his career.
Fountain is tied for eighth all-time at UNI for career touchdown receptions with 18 for his career.
Marcus Weymiller has racked up 92 carries over the last three games alone.
Weymiller has also earned 376 yards rushing and four touchdowns over that stretch as well.
The two interceptions for NDSU's Easton Stick ties his season high.
Attendance for Saturday's game was 18,687.