Courtesy: UNI Athletics Communications –
NORMAL, Ill. – The University of Northern Iowa football team fell to Illinois State today in Hancock Stadium today, 13-3.
Evan Williams finished the game with 54 yards on the ground while Chad Owens and D.J. Hebert both finished with 33 yards through the air. The Panther defense didn’t allow an offensive touchdown against Illinois State with Max Busher leading both teams in tackles with 15.
Illinois State put three points on the board with 3:40 left in the first quarter after Nick Aussieker converted a 24-yard field goal to give the Redbirds the 3-0 lead. The drive took 2:48 off the clock for seven plays and 32 yards.
Just seconds later, the Panther offense turned the ball over on a fumble and Redbird defensive back Tevin Allen was able to recover it for a 17-yard return into the end zone. Illinois State took the 10-0 lead with 3:32 on the clock in the first quarter.
Illinois State’s 10 points were the only points in the first half with the Panthers heading into the locker room down 10-0. Sawyer Kollmorgen finished the half 16-26-1 for 122 yards while Max Busher led the defensive side of the ball with eight tackles.
Shawn Rush came away with an important blocked punt for the Panthers with Jordan Webb coming up with the recovery. Tyler Sievertsen then put UNI on the board with 4:49 left in the third quarter after knocking in a 37-yard field goal. The drive burned 1:51 off the clock for four plays and two yards.
Illinois State added to its lead with 7:38 left in the fourth quarter, making the score 13-3. Aussieker notched a 28-yard field goal with the drive taking 5:53 off the clock for 12 plays and 38 yards for the last points of the game.
UNI will return to action in the UNI-Dome on Saturday, Nov. 9 against Youngstown State. The game is set to kick off at 4 p.m.
