Sep 26, 2009 - 5:59 PM
0 shoutsSPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) -- As powerful as Northern Iowa's offense was in its 35-7 win over Missouri State Saturday, it was the Panthers' defense that held Missouri State scoreless until the last seconds of the game.
Northern Iowa (3-1, 1-0 Missouri Valley) scored three times in the first half and coasted through the game without a serious challenge from Missouri State (2-2, 0-1).
The Panthers held Missouri State to 15 first downs, including 8 in the second half and gave up just 185 yards of total offense.
Even when Missouri State recovered a Northern Iowa fumble on the Panthers' 25 in the fourth quarter, the Bears were unable to score as it failed to covert on a 4 and 7 from the 8 yard line.
Three different Northern Iowa players scored in the first half. Jarred Herring opening the game with a 3-yard run with 3:50 left in the first quarter. Pat Grace scored on an 11-yard run with 6:17 left in the half and Grace threw a 27-yard touchdown pass to D.P. Eyman with 1:59 left.
Northern Iowa went up 28-0 in the third quarter after Missouri State fumbled a punt return on its own 10 and three plays later scored on a Carlos Anderson 1-yard run.
Grace and Eyman hooked up for the second time in the game with 3:11 left in the third quarter on a 26-yard touchdown pass to push ahead 35-0.
Missouri State's only score came on a 5-yard pass from Cody Kirby to Clay Harbor with 7.2 seconds in the game.
From the Bleachers
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NORTHERN IOWA: 35
MISSOURI STATE: 7
Final
Sep 26 5:10 PM -
NCAAF FINAL
1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
NORTHERN IOWA 7 14 14 0 35
MISSOURI ST 0 0 0 7 7 FINAL
Sep 26 5:10 PM -
NORTHERN IOWA: 35
MISSOURI STATE: 0
End of 3rd
Sep 26 4:39 PM -
NCAAF END, 3RD QTR
1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
NORTHERN IOWA 7 14 14 35
MISSOURI ST 0 0 0 0 END, 3RD QTR
Sep 26 4:39 PM -
NORTHERN IOWA: 21
MISSOURI STATE: 0
Halftime
Sep 26 3:43 PM -
NCAAF HALFTIME
1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
NORTHERN IOWA 7 14 21
MISSOURI ST 0 0 0 HALFTIME
Sep 26 3:43 PM -
NORTHERN IOWA: 7
MISSOURI STATE: 0
End of 1st
Sep 26 2:48 PM -
NCAAF END, 1ST QTR
1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
NORTHERN IOWA 7 7
MISSOURI ST 0 0 END, 1ST QTR
Sep 26 2:48 PM
