The Panthers fell on Saturday for the third time on the road, this time to 25-ranked Indiana State University 20-19.

Tying their season-low with 320 total yards, the Panther offense had to rely on the special teams and defense to keep this one close. Even with only 320 yards, 127 by David Johnson, the Panthers still out gained their opponents for the fourth time this year.

Northern Iowa started the game off with a 40-yard drive to nowhere. This in turn set the Sycamores up on their own 22. The ensuing nine-play drive ended with a Buck Logan rushing touchdown. 

Thanks to a penalty, the return team set up the offense just short of midfield, but the ISU defense forced a three-and-out, setting up another rushing touchdown by the Sycamores.

Down 14-0 at the start of the second, the defense forced an ISU three-and-out. The first play after the punt was a Sawyer Kollmorgen interception. 

The Sycamores drove the ball into the red-zone only to fumble it away to UNI’s Tim Kilfoy at the 13. Blending the rushing and passing attacks together, UNI saw its lone touchdown come off a Sawyer Kollmorgen rush. 

Now trailing by seven, the defense came up big with a three-and-out to set the offense up on the ISU’s 47. They would come away with the first of four Michael Schmadeke field goals. 

Once more, the defense showed up with a Deiondre’ Hall interception on the first play of ISU’s ensuing drive, setting up his team on ISU’s 40. 

After three plays, Schmadeke kicked his career-long of 48 yards through the posts to effectively end the half down 14-13.

With lots of three-and-outs on both sides, the lone score of the third came from Schmadeke’s 30-yard make. This put UNI up 16-14. 

The fourth saw UNI strike quickly as Schmadeke made a 31 yarder 12 seconds in. The defenses held firm from there not allowing a score until ISU ran a WR pass with two minutes left to go up 20-19. The two-point attempt was no good.

With time left for one drive, Kollmorgen led his squad down to the 36 with 30 seconds. They called on Schmadeke to attempt to break his season-long field goal by five yards. 

Prior to the 53-yard attempt he was a perfect 16-16 on the season. His would have been career-long fell short as did the Panthers, falling 19-20.

The Panthers hope to end their road woes as they play ninth-ranked South Dakota State next week.