UNI Football Tops South Dakota, 42-28

Saturday, October 13

Vermillion, S.D.

6 p.m.

University of Northern Iowa

3-3 , 2-1

South Dakota

3-3 , 2-1

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

UNI

South Dakota

UNI Football Tops South Dakota, 42-28

10/13/2018 10:35:00 PM | Football

Box Score

VERMILLION, S.D. – The UNI football team turned three turnovers into touchdowns to earn a big 42-28 road win over No. 24 South Dakota Saturday at the DakotaDome in Vermillion.

The game was a back and forth battle for most of the first half. UNI scored to take a 14-13 lead with just 58 seconds remaining in the second quarter on a pass in the flat to Marcus Weymiller. On the ensuing kickoff, USD's return man Wesley Eliodor fumbled the ball and it was picked up by Alphonso Soko and returned to the USD four-yard line.

The Panthers scored on a Dunne QB sneak just three plays later to give UNI a 21-13 lead at the half.

USD tied the game at 21 late in the third quarter before the Panthers responded with a touchdown pass from Dunne to Briley Moore with 42 to play in the third.

Early in the fourth quarter, Xavior Williams picked off USD's Austin Simmons at the Coyote 25-yard line. On the next play, Dunne found Nick Fossey in the far side of the end zone to put UNI up 35-21.

On the next possession, Elerson G Smith forced a sack fumble and Brawntae Wells tapped the ball into the end zone where he recovered it for to put the Panthers up 42-21.

The Coyotes scored with 7:50 left to cut it to 45-27, but the Panther defense would come up big, and the Panthers earned the win.

Dunne went 23-32 for 253 yards and four touchdowns. He had completions to eight different receivers, and all caught multiple passes.

Moore, Fossey, and Weymiller all caught receiving touchdowns. Dunne picked up the only rushing score. The offensive line was also efficient and allowed only one sack on the day.

The defense allowed 366 yards but was on the field for 87 plays after forcing the three turnovers. Which turned into quick UNI scores. USD only gained 38 rush yards in the game which includes five sack which accounted for -25 yards.

Rickey Neal Jr. notched a pair of sacks while Smith, Seth Thomas and Bryce Douglas each tallied one.

NOTES
Over the last two games, Dunne is 51-74 (68.9 percent) for seven touchdowns and just one interception. He also has a rushing touchdown in the last two games.

Dunne's four touchdowns are a season high and the most since the win over Monmouth in the playoffs last season.

Dunne is distributing the ball at an incredible rate. Against South Dakota, eight receivers caught passes and all notched multiple receptions. Elias Nissen and Briley more both had two catches for 41 yards for the team high in yards while Trever Allen had five catches for 39 yards.

The South Dakota offense had 87 offensive plays to just 66 for UNI, but the Panthers edged the time of possession 30:57-29:03.

UNI is still perfect in the red zone. The Panthers are now 21-21 on the year with eight passing touchdowns, seven rushing touchdowns and six field goals.

UP NEXT
The Panthers host South Dakota State in the UNI-Dome for homecoming Saturday, Oct. 20, at 4 p.m. Both teams are 2-1 in MVFC play with the only losses coming against top-ranked North Dakota State.