(Cedar Falls) UNI suffered a 31-28 home loss on Saturday at the hands of South Dakota State. The Panthers got a two yard touchdown run from Theo Day with 4:41 left in the contest to tie things up against the #1 rated FCS team in the nation, but after the teams exchanged punts in the final few minutes the Jackrabbits eventually hit a game winning field goal on the final play of the game.
SDSU threw for 263 yards and ran for 164. Glenwood alum Caleb Sanders posted three sacks. They improve to 9-1 overall and wrap up the Missouri Valley Football Conference championship. Kicker Hunter Dustman initially missed a 35-yard attempt in the final seconds, but UNI was penalized for leaping. Dustman made the Panthers pay with his 26-yard game winner.
Northern Iowa’s statistical leaders were Theo Day with 270 passing yards and two TD’s, Vance McShane with eight carries for 62 yards and one touchdown, and Sam Schee with four receptions for 69 yards.
UNI falls to 5-5 on the season. They wrap up conference play next week at South Dakota.
