UNI Football Shuts Out Missouri State 37-0

Saturday, November 17

Cedar Falls, Iowa (UNI-Dome)

4 p.m.

University of Northern Iowa

6-5 , 5-3

Missouri State

4-7 , 2-6

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Missouri State

Northern Iowa

UNI Football Shuts Out Missouri State 37-0

11/17/2018 10:17:00 PM | Football

Box Score

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The UNI defense shut out its third opponent of the season while the UNI offense racked up 375 yards of offense to earn a 37-0 win over Missouri State in the final regular-season game of the season Saturday at the UNI-Dome.

The Panther defense showed it was ready to play from the first play when it forced a fumble and recovered the ball on the 26-yard line. The ensuing drive only netted a field goal for the Panthers, but the defensive tone was set.

Missouri State held the Panthers to a three-and-out on their next drive, but the punt careened off of an MSU player and was recovered by Bryce Flater on the 20-yard line. Three plays later Eli Dunne found Jaylin James for a touchdown in the corner of the end zone to put UNI up 10-0.

UNI added another touchdown in the second quarter on a 27-yard touchdown pass to Jalen Rima. On the ensuing possession, the Panthers picked up its second turnover on an acrobatic catch from Korby Sander and Austin Errthum added another field goal to his impressive resume to put UNI up 20-0 at the half.

UNI took the opening drive for 76 yards for a one-yard Marcus Weymiller score and added a field goal and another one-yard Weymiller touchdown in the fourth quarter for the win.

The Panther defense forced three turnovers while the UNI special teams grabbed another which led to 20 points. Missouri State was held to just nine first downs and just 222 yards of total offense and was just 3-15 on third downs.

Sander and Duncan Ferch tallied interceptions. Sander led UNI with 13 tackles and also forced the fumble on the first drive which was recovered by A.J. Allen. Elerson G Smith notched three tackles for loss including two sacks on the day.

On the offensive end, Dunne had a stellar performance on offense. The senior was 23-44 for 227 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Rima had a career day with four catches for 73 yards and a score. Jaylin James also impressed with seven catches for 70 yards and a touchdown.

Weymiller had 91 yards on 24 carries and both touchdowns to lead the UNI rushing attack. Tyler Hoosman tallied 53 yards on 11 carries.

The Panthers now await their fate. The NCAA FCS selection committee will announce the playoff field tomorrow, but UNI's case for inclusion is compelling. The Panthers have by all computer rankings the toughest schedule of any FCS team. They also have wins over three teams that were ranked in the top 25 when they met. UNI also finished tied for third in the MVFC with the tiebreaker over Indiana State, the other team.
The selection show will take place at 11:30 C.T. Sunday on ESPNU.

NOTES
- UNI recorded three shutouts in one season for the first time since 1971.
- Eli Dunne tallied his 49th and 50th touchdown passes which puts him fourth all-time in UNI History. He surpassed Sawyer Kollmorgen (2011-15). He is 10 behind Jay Johnson who has 60 all-time.
- Rickey Neal Jr. now has 20.0 career sacks which puts him into the all-time top 10 for career sacks. He is tied with James Jones (1987-90) and Willie Barney (1994-96).
- Ferch's 62-yard interception return puts him in the UNI top 10 for Interception return yards in a season with 123 yards. He is seventh all-time.