Panthers Fall to No. 8 SDSU

Saturday, November 16

Brookings, S.D.

2 p.m.

University of Northern Iowa

South Dakota State

Panthers Fall to No. 8 SDSU

11/16/2019 5:28:00 PM | Football

Box Score

BROOKINGS, S.D. – The fourth-ranked Panthers struggled to find an offensive rhythm and gave up four turnovers, falling to No. 8 South Dakota State 38-7 on the road in Brookings, S.D., Saturday.

Quarterback Will McElvain threw as many interceptions Saturday as he has for the previous 10-games combined and added a fumble in the fourth quarter, which was returned for a touchdown.

South Dakota State went into the half with 7-0 lead that was set up by a 65-yard trick play. Outside of the one drive, neither team could get much traction on offense. That would change in the second half.

SDSU took the opening drive of the second half 73 yards for the touchdown to take a 14-0 lead. They added a field goal with 5:20 left in the third to go up 17-0.

The Panthers responded with an eight-play, 60-yard drive the culminated in a 10-yard rushing touchdown by Sam Schnee who was playing defensive back just two weeks ago.

UNI forced a three-and-out on the next SDSU drive, but gave up a fumble which was returned for a touchdown and an interception which led to a touchdown on the ensuing drive to give South Dakota State a 31-7 lead. SDSU added a touchdown in the final minutes to close out the scoring.

Schnee led all UNI rushers with 74-yards on 18 carries and a TD. McElvain tallied 50 yards on 12 carries. Jaylin James caught three passes for 34 yards. McElvain was 12-24 for 84 yards and three interceptions.

Chris Kolarevic tallied 13 total tackles and a TFL to lead the Panther Defense.

The Panthers fall to 7-4 on the season and 5-2 in Missouri Valley Conference play. SDSU moves up to 8-3 on the season and 5-2 in the MVFC. The two teams are now tied with Southern Illinois and Illinois State for second place in the valley.

NOTES
- Logan Wolf saw his first action as a Panther early in the first quarter. He retains his redshirt until he plays four games.

- Brawntae Wells blocked a field goal in the first quarter. He is the first Panther to block a field goals this season and the first blocked field goal since Rickey Neal Jr. blocked a field goal in the second quarter against Iowa last season.

- Logan Wolf caught his first pass with 1:02 to play in the first quarter. It was a 10-yard reception for the first down. It was his only catch of the game.

- Sam Schnee took his first snaps at running back and performed admirably. He tallied 74 yards on 18 carries.

- It was the first game of Will McElvain's career that he failed to throw a touchdown pass.

UP NEXT
The Panthers host Western Illinois in the season finale and senior day. Western Illinois is 1-10 on the season and 0-5 on the road this season. The Leathernecks have won three of the last four against UNI.