UNI upends No. 6 South Dakota to keep playoff hopes alive

CEDAR FALLS - Northern Iowa went into 'playoff mode” this week ahead of what was likely a must-win game against No. 6 South Dakota and came away with an instant classic win, 34-29.

'Playoff mode” quickly turned into playoff-level drama as the Panthers (5-4, 4-2) proved early on they were going to do more than simply hang on with the up-tempo Coyotes (7-1, 4-1) offense.

The first half featured seven combined scoring drives, however five of those seven drives ended in field goals as both defenses played a large role in creating the drama.

South Dakota took a 16-13 lead into the break after Eli Dunne hit Isaiah Weston in stride for a 59-yard touchdown late in the half. Dunne's touchdown toss to Weston - the Panthers' only touchdown of the half - set the table for a wild second half that ended with the Panthers' playoff hopes still intact.

'The key to that team was their quarterback,” head coach Mark Farley said. 'So we tried to find ways to get him off rhythm. We were getting to him a little bit and we were creating pressure. Fortunately when we got him out of the pocket he tried to make things happen and our players made plays off (of) it.”

Despite excellent play from the defense the playoff door looked like it was about to shut with UNI trailing 23-20 in the beginning of the fourth quarter and the Coyotes threatening in the red zone. With the game hanging in the balance, Xavior Williams intercepted Chris Streveler in the end zone and gave the Panthers the new life they needed, or so they thought.

'It was a tough situation,” Farley said. 'We were sitting on that goal line down there, in the position that we were (in), and the time that was left on the clock, and then the Xavior intercept was a big deal.”

UNI was unable to turn Williams' interception into points as it was forced to punt down three with just under six minutes left in the game, sapping the UNI-Dome crowd. Once again the defense was going to have to make a stop or play against one of the FCS' best offenses, and make a play they would.

On second-and-seven from their own 33 South Dakota's Kai Henry was stripped by Bryce Douglas and Jared Farley was there to scoop up the loose ball and return it to the Coyotes 11. This time the Panthers had the new life they really needed. Two plays later Marcus Weymiller reeled off eight of his 69 total yards rushing for the afternoon and punched in the go-ahead touchdown at 27-23 with three minutes remaining.

'We got the forced fumble and positioned ourselves for the touchdown,” Farley said. 'There was a huge sequence of very quick plays, but I'm probably most pleased for our fans and everybody that was there. To have that kind of excitement and that kind of game, I mean that's exactly what you hope for when you come watch a UNI football game.”

The Coyotes took over down five and three plays into their attempt at a comeback drive, Streveler threw his second interception of the afternoon. After being forced outside the pocket by the UNI pass-rush - something the Panthers were able to do with regularity to Streveler - the senior signal-caller made the ill-advised throw that landed in Keelon Brookins' hands. Brookins did the rest and returned the interception 29 yards, putting the Panthers up 34-23 and sealing the Panthers' third win over a top-10 opponent.

'We're 3-1 against (Nos.) 6, 9 and 7,” Farley said. 'You decide (if we're a top-10 team).”

South Dakota added a late touchdown during a desperation drive for the 34-29 final. Weymiller recovered the onside kick and a Dunne kneel down gave the Panthers the resume-boosting win they needed to keep their playoff hopes alive.