Northern Iowa ends North Dakota State's record win streak

Nov 9, 2014 - 2:53 AM Cedar Falls, IA (SportsNetwork.com) - The longest winning streak in FCS history ended in much the same way it was built by North Dakota State.

Through dominating defense and a team pulling away in the second half.

It was just odd to see another team have the winning formula, but on Saturday 19th-ranked Northern Iowa did as they handled the top-ranked Bison, 23-3, to stop their 33-game winning streak before 14,777 inside the UNI-Dome.

North Dakota State (9-1, 5-1 Missouri Valley) had not lost since falling to Indiana State, 17-14, on Oct. 13, 2012. UNI (6-4, 4-2) also ended the Bison's record Missouri Valley winning streak at 18 games and handed them their first loss away from home since the 2010 FCS playoffs (a span of 22 straight wins).

UNI outgained North Dakota State 306 yards to 175, scored 10 points off turnovers, and held the Bison to eight first downs and only an Adam Keller field goal late in the second quarter.

Running back David Johnson rushed for 133 yards and had 210 all-purpose yards, quarterback Brion Carnes and running back Darrian Miller both rushed for touchdowns, and Michael Schmadeke was 3-for-3 on field goals.

The Bison were still in striking range before Schmadeke's 36-yard field goal on the first play of the fourth quarter extended UNI's lead to 13-3. He kicked a 42-yarder at the 9:25 mark to make it 16-3. Then after a three-and-out series by the Bison, Miller broke off a 30-yard TD run to put the win away.

North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz was held to 132 passing yards with an interception and three-time 1,000-yard running back John Crockett struggled to 41 yards on 17 carries.

UNI now has three wins over No. 1-ranked opponents. The Panthers also beat No. 1 New Hampshire, 24-21, in 2005 and No. 1 Youngstown State, 35-32, in 1997.

The loss was the first for first-year Bison coach Chris Klieman. His team fell into a first-place tie with Illinois State (8-1, 5-1), one game ahead of both UNI and Youngstown State (7-3, 4-2), with two weeks remaining in the Missouri Valley season.