TERRE HAUTE, Ind. ? The Indiana State football team returned home after playing it last two games on the road, but had to face off against the No. 4 ranked team in the country in Northern Iowa on Saturday. The game was forced to the ground due to rain and heavy winds, and the Panthers (9-2, 7-1 MVFC) took advantage by amassing 238 rushing on way to a 28-0 win over the Sycamores (0-11, 0-7 MVFC) at Memorial Stadium.
The Sycamore defense had the measure of the fourth-ranked Panthers throughout much of the opening quarter, stopping UNI on its first two possessions. Freshman defensive tackle Rod Hardy came up with a big stop on a fourth-and-inches play that denied the Panthers a first down on UNI's first possession and the ISU defense forced a Panther punt on UNI's second possession of the game.
However, the Sycamore offense could not take advantage as the Panther defense force two-straight three-and-out possession to start the game.
Northern Iowa jumped out to a 7-0 lead just before the end of the first quarter by taking advantage of a short punt by ISU's Gabe Mullane against a stiff west wind. Josh Collins returned the punt to the ISU 27 and it took the Panthers just five plays to go on a 27-yard scoring drive that was capped off by a three-yard touchdown run by Derek Law with 34 seconds remaining.
The Panthers added two more scores in the second quarter to widen the lead to 21-0 halftime. Corey Lewis capped a 46-yard, five-play scoring drive with a three yard run with 5:48 remaining to make the score 14-0 in favor of UNI. Lewis later scored on a 21-yard pass from Zach Davis that completed a three play, 60-yard drive with a minute left in the half that was aided by a pass interference call against the Sycamores.
In the third quarter, UNI's Jamar Thompson intercepted a pass by ISU's Ryan Roberts at the ISU 32 yard line and returned the ball to the ISU 21. The Panthers got as close as the ISU three yard line, but the ISU defense stiffened and forced the Panthers to attempt a 21-yard field goal into the win. UNI placekicker Billy Hallgren set up to attempt the field goal, but a bad snap from center gave Indiana State the ball back at their own 14 yard line with 1:50 remaining in the third quarter.
The score stayed that way until the fourth quarter, when the Panthers put the game away at 28-0. On the team's first possession of quarter, UNI drove 55 yards in just three plays for its fourth touchdown of the game. A 52-yard pass from Pat Grace to Jarred Herring set up the Panthers at the ISU one-yard line after a touchdown-saving tackle by ISU freshman Julian Easterly. Lewis then scored his third touchdown of the day on the next play on a one yard run with 10:05 left in the game. The score remained that way for the rest of the game and the Panthers secured at least a share of the Missouri Valley Football Conference title.
Roberts finished the day with 45 yards rushing on 17 carries and also completed 3-of-8 passes for 19 yards with an interception. Freshman fullback Brock Lough had a solid day on the ground, as he rushed for 35 yards on six carries for an average of 5.8 yards per carry. The Sycamores were led on defense by Jerry Calvert, C. J. Cook and Jayden Everett who each recorded eight tackles on the day. Hardy finished his day with seven tackles and a half tackles for loss.
The Sycamores wrap up the 2008 season next Saturday, when they face off against the Missouri State Bears. Kick-off is scheduled for 12:05 p.m. (ET) at Memorial Stadium.
