Panthers Fall In Close Battle On The Road

Saturday, September 16

Cedar City, Utah

7 p.m.

University of Northern Iowa

1-2

Southern Utah

2-1

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

UNI

Southern Utah

Photo by: Mike Dunlop

Panthers Fall In Close Battle On The Road

9/16/2017 11:03:00 PM | Football

Box Score

FINAL BOX (PDF)

CEDAR CITY, Utah – Despite a valiant effort on the road, No. 18 Northern Iowa (1-2) fell to Southern Utah (2-1) in a tight contest, 24-21.

The game was tied, 21-21 until SUU made a 26-yard field goal with 1:50 remaining as the Thunderbirds hung on to win the game, 24-21.

UNI forced four turnovers against SUU, three coming the way of interceptions and one via the fumble recovery. Eli Dunne finished the game going 26-for-47, throwing for 284 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions.

The 47 attempts were the most for Dunne in his Panther career, while the total is the most for a UNI quarterback since Sawyer Kollmorgan threw 48 against Illinois State on Oct. 27, 2012.

Daurice Fountain turned in a career-high game of eight catches and 138 yards on the night, with a long of 46.

The Thunderbirds jumped out to a 14-0 lead to begin action on Saturday, as SUU earned scores on the ground and through the air. SUU would control most of the first half, before Seth Thomas energized the UNI sideline after rumbling to the end zone for a 15-yard interception touchdown.

Trailing, 14-7 in the third quarter the Panther defense sparked UNI once again after Adam Reth's big hit resulted in a sack and strip. The Panthers would turn the fumble into points, following Austin Errthum's 42-yard field goal.

Inching closer and only trailing 14-10, SUU would swing momentum after James Felila scored his second touchdown of the night – this time a 20-yard score – with 4:35 remaining in the third quarter.

Trailing 21-10 late, the Panthers would mount a comeback as UNI scored 11-unanswered to tie the game at 21-21. UNI's Dunne would master a seven-play drive to get the Panthers in the end zone, following a 21-yard pass to Trevor Allen. A Jared Farley interception return inside Thunderbird territory would also lead to points as Errthum nailed a 30-yard field goal to knot the score at 21-21.

The Panthers would be in position again for more points following a turnover on downs, but a long, 53-yard field goal from Errthum was blocked and returned to the 17. The Panther defense would hold the Thunderbirds to three points, after a 26-yard field goal, but SUU would hold on to the lead this time for the 24-21 win.

UP NEXT
The Panthers will have a bye week net Saturday, before UNI continues the road swing with a trip to Southern Illinois on Sept. 30.

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

The first quarter interception for Malcom Washington marked his first INT since last season against Indiana State (Nov. 11, 2016).
The INT and defensive score for Seth Thomas was his first as a Panther.
The INT for a score was UNI's first since Elijah Campbell and Duncan Ferch returned two against Missouri State (Oct. 22, 2016) last season.
The field goal for Austin Errthum were his first of the season.
Jared Farley led the Panthers with 12 total tackles on the night.
Attendance for Saturday's game at Cedar City was 8,441.