Box Score Fayette, Iowa – Despite an early first half deficit, the Northern State University football team battled back on Saturday evening to defeat Upper Iowa University. The Wolves out-scored the Peacocks 26-6 in the second half, sealing their second victory over a South Division opponent this season.
 
THE QUICK DETAILS
Final Score: NSU 40, UIU 22
Records: NSU 2-1, UIU 0-3
Attendance: 1082
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Upper Iowa took an early 16-0 lead through the opening minutes of the second quarter, notching two touchdowns and a field goal
• Northern scored their first touchdown of the contest at 6:41 in the second quarter on a 19-yard reception by Dakota Larson (Hunter Trautman)
• The Wolves continued to chip away as the half dwindled down with a 1-yard rushing scoring by Vance Barnes
• The Peacocks led by two at the half, however the Wolves got to work early in the third quarter with Barnes' second touchdown of the evening; this time on a 15-yard reception with 12:22 on the clock
• NSU was not finished in the third as Trautman connected with Larson for the second time in the game, a 28-yard touchdown reception with 43 seconds left on the quarter clock
• UIU answered back as the fourth quarter opened, on a 34-yard rushing score which left the score 26-22 in favor of the Wolves
• Trautman connected with Jimmy Kepouros for the pairs first touchdown of 2021, a 4-yard reception; the score gave Northern a 33-22 lead with 8:22 to play
• The Wolves quarterback put a final pin in the contest with a 22-yard touchdown run with 1:31 left in the contest
• Northern tallied 23 first downs in the game with 443 yards of total offense (152 yards rushing and 291 yards passing)
• They averaged a game high 12.7 yards per completion and 4.9 yards per rush, while holding the Peacocks to 353 total yards
• In addition, NSU recorded 178 total return yards, averaging 16.1 yards per punt return and 13.0 yards per kick return
• The Wolves offense scored on each of their four chances in the red-zone and did not give up a sack
• The Northern defense held the Peacocks to 6-of-18 on third down and 0-of-2 on fourth down, forcing four sacks for a total loss of 30 yards
• Five members of the NSU defense tallied seven tackles or more with the team combining for 12.0 tackles for a loss of 47 Peacock yards

 
NORTHERN STATE STATISTICAL STANDOUTS

• Hunter Trautman: 291 yards passing, 65 yards rushing, 4 passing touchdowns, 1 rushing touchdown
• Vance Barnes: 93 yards receiving, 24 yards rushing, 2 touchdowns
• Brett Brenton: 60 yards rushing, 7.5 yards per carry, 32-yard long
• Dewaylon Ingram: 88 yards receiving, 12.6 yards per catch, 21-yard long
• Chance Olson: 8 tackles (5 solo, 3 assisted), 1 break-up
• Trey King: 8 tackles (7 solo, 1 assisted), 1.0 sack
• Nate Robinson: 7 tackles, 3.0 tackles for a loss
• Zach Bohnenkamp: 3 tackles, 2.0 tackles for a loss, 1.0 sack, 1 interception

 
UP NEXT
Northern returns to Dacotah Bank Stadium next Saturday versus Sioux Falls. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. versus the Cougars in the 6^th Annual Ag Bowl. The game will be broadcast by Midco Sports. For a full list of game day promotions CLICK HERE. Fans are also reminded that all game day information and protocols are posted on the Dacotah Bank Stadium homepage.