The Panthers collected their first conference and road victory of the year as they beat the University of South Dakota 27-17. The win was sealed by a stout defense, which was led by sophomore linebacker Brett McMakin who had a team-high three sacks on the day and an interception early in the third quarter.
USD marched down the field on the opening drive of the game, converting on third and long three times before scoring on a Trevor Bouma 17-yard touchdown rush.
The UNI defense responded and kept them scoreless for the rest of the half and most of the third quarter. The Coyotes led the Panthers 7-0 after one quarter of play.
Quarterbacks Sawyer Kollmorgen and Brion Carnes switched in and out routinely for the offense in the second quarter as they marched down the field to set up a 28-yard field goal for Michael Schmadeke.
McMakin helped pin the offense back deep with his second sack of the quarter, forcing USD into a three-and-out.
Chad Owens started the Panther drive off with a 25-yard punt return, setting up what would be Carnes’ first touchdown pass of the season to Kevin Vereen.
With more defensive stops to end the half, the Panthers went into the locker room up 10-7.
The Panthers opening drive was stymied by an USD defense which forced a three-and-out.
On the first play after the punt, McMakin was once more in the thick of it as he picked off Kevin Earl.
David Johnson ran for a touchdown five plays later, putting him into the top five for career points at UNI with 282.
A Miles Bergner 33-yard field goal brought the Coyotes to within a touchdown with 3:51 left in the third quarter.
Schmadeke struck back with a field goal of his own from 34-yards out under two minutes later to put the Panthers back up by 13.
USD marched 99 yards in nine plays to score on an Earl 25-yard touchdown pass to Brandt Van Roekel. Ronelle McNeil blocked the ensuing point after attempt, keeping the Panther lead at four.
UNI followed the USD score with a balanced drive that was capped off by a Kollmorgen 15-yard touchdown pass to Daurice Fountain. Kollmorgen’s lone touchdown pass of the day put the Panthers up 27-16.
USD put together a potential scoring drive before Deiondre’ Hall intercepted Earl’s pass on the UNI 15-yard line with 6:48 left in the contest.
UNI picked up a few first downs, allowing the clock to run down to zero and securing the Panther win.
Johnson accumulated 106 total yards, which puts him atop the career all-purpose yards category for UNI. After the first road win of the season, the Panthers return to the UNI-Dome to take on 19-ranked South Dakota State.
