Jacks fall to UNI in battle of ranked teams

Saturday, September 20

Cedar Falls, Iowa

4 p.m.

South Dakota State University

2-2 , 2-1

Northern Iowa

2-1 , 1-0

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
South Dakota State	3	0	10	7	20
UNI	7	7	7	13	34

9/20/2008 1:00:00 AM | Football

Box Score

By: SDSU Sports Info

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa ? Eighth-ranked Northern Iowa used a balanced offensive attack to pull away from South Dakota State, 34-20, in a battle of ranked teams Saturday at the UNI-Dome.

The 12th-ranked Jackrabbits fell to 2-2 overall, 2-1 in the Missouri Valley Football Conference. UNI, playing its league opener, upped its overall record to 2-1.

UNI amassed 433 yards of total offense in the game, gaining 233 on the ground and 200 through the air. Quarterback Pat Grace accounted for 284 yards, completing 12-of-20 passes for 200 yards and rushing 12 times for another 84 yards.

The Jackrabbits scored on the opening drive of the game, converting two third-and-long plays during their 11-play, 43-yard drive before a 42-yard field goal by Peter Reifenrath.

On UNI's first possession, Chris Johnson intercepted Pat Grace's first pass attempt of the game and returned it 10 yards to the SDSU 44. However, the Jackrabbit drive would stall and UNI began to shift the momentum in its favor.

The Panthers got on the board on their next possession as Grace found Johnny Gray behind the Jackrabbit defense for an 18-yard touchdown.

UNI controlled the battle for field position the remainder of the first half, pinning the Jackrabbits deep inside their own territory on three different occasions with punts by Brook Black.

After the Jackrabbits were forced to punt from their own end zone, the Panthers added their second touchdown in the final minute of the half. Taking over at midfield with 50 seconds remaining, UNI moved 50 yards on five plays, capping the 36-second drive with a 3-yard touchdown run by Grace to put the Panthers ahead 14-3 at the half.

SDSU was held to minus-1 yard rushing in the first half after allowing four sacks.

The Jackrabbits tallied the first points of the second half, as well, cutting the UNI lead to 14-6 on a 21-yard field goal by Reifenrath.

After the Jackrabbits were held on their next offensive possession, the Panthers again put points on the board. Following a 38-yard punt return by Gray, Grace hit tight end Ryan Mahaffey down the middle for a 33-yard touchdown.

SDSU countered with a nine-play, 73-yard drive, culminating when Ryan Berry hooked up with Glen Fox for an 8-yard scored.

UNI began to pull away early in the fourth quarter. On the first play of the quarter, Gray took an end around 19 yards for a touchdown. Grace added a 4-yard run midway through the quarter for a 34-13 advantage.

With the Jackrabbits down three scores, the SDSU passing game was effective. The Jackrabbits moved 74 yards on 10 plays, capping the drive with a 2-yard Kyle Minett run.

The Jackrabbits appeared on the verge of making it a one-score game in the closing minutes, but JaRon Harris was stripped of the ball at the UNI 8, ending any hopes of a comeback.

Berry ended the night 32-of-53 passing for 375 yards, setting career highs in all three passing categories. Harris caught a career-best nine balls for 120 yards and Fox added six catches for 102 yards. Minett tallied seven receptions for 59 yards and posted a team-best 36 yards on 14 carries as the Jackrabbit running game was stifled throughout the game.

Corey Lewis led UNI with 95 yards on 18 carries. Gray led the receiving corps for the Panthers with six catches for 77 yards.

Defensively, SDSU was led by Jimmy Rogers and Danny Batten with seven tackles each. Batten also recorded a sack. UNI's Josh Mahoney led all players with 11 tackles.

The Jackrabbits will play their next three games against non-conference opponents, starting Sept. 27 at Stephen F. Austin (Texas). Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. in Nacogdoches, Texas. SDSU's next MVFC contest is Oct. 25 at Indiana State.