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No. 5 Northern Iowa Holds Off USD 24-13
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — The University of South Dakota football team battled tough against the nation's fifth-ranked team, the University of Northern Iowa, but fell short in a 24-13 loss to the Panthers Saturday in front of 12,904 fans at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
It was the first game against an Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) opponent this season for USD, which is competing in Division I for the first time.
It was the first meeting between the schools in football since 1982, and it was the Coyotes’ fourth-ever trip to the UNI-Dome. UNI (1-1) now holds a 22-17-1 lead all-time in the series.
The Coyotes (1-1) fell short despite holding the statistical edge in several categories, including total yards (415-324), passing yards (290-130) and time of possession (37:23-22:37).
Quarterback Noah Shepard (Jr., Thornton, Colo.) and receiver Dan Skelly (Jr., Champlin, Minn.) put together outstanding offensive performances in the loss for USD. Shepard rushed hdowns and also was 22-of-33 passing for 290 yards. Skelly hauled in eight passes for 144 yards.
The Coyotes’ offense was impressive in moving the ball in the first half as they outgained UNI, 208-188, but were still trailing 21-7 at halftime. Shepard was 12-of-15 for 151 yards passing in the first half while also rushing for 44 yards. Skelly had four catches for 66 yards in the opening half. USD also had a nearly nine-minute advantage in time of possession and also converted 4-of-7 third-down attempts. The Coyotes did not punt in the opening half.
The Coyotes opened the second half on offense, but UNI’s Josh Mahoney intercepted Shepard and brought the ball inside the Coyote 20. USD’s defense delivered again with a big stop, as it forced a UNI field goal attempt, which was missed, leaving the contest a 21-7.
With 10 minutes left in the third, USD’s Mychal Bogan picked off a pass from UNI quarterback Pat Grace, giving the Coyotes possession at the Panther 29-yard line. USD quickly converted the turnover into points. The key play was on 4th-and-2, when UNI was whistled for pass interference in the end zone, giving the Coyotes a 1st-and-goal from the 2-yard line.
Two plays later, Shepard scrambled in for the touchdown from two yards out, bringing the Coyotes back within 21-13 with 3:12 left in the third quarter.
UNI was on the move as the third quarter ended; however, another big play was produced by the Coyote defense, with Ryan Routh intercepting Grace to end a potential Panther threat at the Coyote 28-yard line.
On the next play, Shepard hit Brandon White for a 9-yard gain to bring USD right back into Panther territory. Moments later, a personal foul on UNI moved the Coyotes to the Panther 23-yard line. The Coyotes moved inside the Panther 15-yard line but were inches short on a fourth down conversion, turning the ball back over to UNI.
The Panthers moved 76 yards on 13 plays and settled for a 32-yard field goal by Billy Hallgren to make it 24-13 with 6:29 left in the contest.
USD moved once again into UNI territory, but a fumble inside the Panther 15-yard line ended that threat. A fumble also ended a USD desperation drive in the final minute.
The Coyotes struggled with four turnovers and also were whistled for nine penalties in the loss.
In addition to big days from Shepard and Skelly, Oberle finished with five catches for 42 yards for USD. Landry had three catches for 41 yards, while Brandon White hauled in two passes for 41 yards.
"We just kept giving ourselves a chance to win," USD coach Ed Meierkort said in a post-game radio interview. We'll learn a lot off this. I'm very encouraged by how we played."
USD resumes action Saturday, Sept. 13 in Hammond, La., when it faces Southeastern Louisiana University. Game time is 6 p.m.
It was the first game against an Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) opponent this season for USD, which is competing in Division I for the first time.
It was the first meeting between the schools in football since 1982, and it was the Coyotes’ fourth-ever trip to the UNI-Dome. UNI (1-1) now holds a 22-17-1 lead all-time in the series.
The Coyotes (1-1) fell short despite holding the statistical edge in several categories, including total yards (415-324), passing yards (290-130) and time of possession (37:23-22:37).
Quarterback Noah Shepard (Jr., Thornton, Colo.) and receiver Dan Skelly (Jr., Champlin, Minn.) put together outstanding offensive performances in the loss for USD. Shepard rushed hdowns and also was 22-of-33 passing for 290 yards. Skelly hauled in eight passes for 144 yards.
The Coyotes’ offense was impressive in moving the ball in the first half as they outgained UNI, 208-188, but were still trailing 21-7 at halftime. Shepard was 12-of-15 for 151 yards passing in the first half while also rushing for 44 yards. Skelly had four catches for 66 yards in the opening half. USD also had a nearly nine-minute advantage in time of possession and also converted 4-of-7 third-down attempts. The Coyotes did not punt in the opening half.
The Coyotes opened the second half on offense, but UNI’s Josh Mahoney intercepted Shepard and brought the ball inside the Coyote 20. USD’s defense delivered again with a big stop, as it forced a UNI field goal attempt, which was missed, leaving the contest a 21-7.
With 10 minutes left in the third, USD’s Mychal Bogan picked off a pass from UNI quarterback Pat Grace, giving the Coyotes possession at the Panther 29-yard line. USD quickly converted the turnover into points. The key play was on 4th-and-2, when UNI was whistled for pass interference in the end zone, giving the Coyotes a 1st-and-goal from the 2-yard line.
Two plays later, Shepard scrambled in for the touchdown from two yards out, bringing the Coyotes back within 21-13 with 3:12 left in the third quarter.
UNI was on the move as the third quarter ended; however, another big play was produced by the Coyote defense, with Ryan Routh intercepting Grace to end a potential Panther threat at the Coyote 28-yard line.
On the next play, Shepard hit Brandon White for a 9-yard gain to bring USD right back into Panther territory. Moments later, a personal foul on UNI moved the Coyotes to the Panther 23-yard line. The Coyotes moved inside the Panther 15-yard line but were inches short on a fourth down conversion, turning the ball back over to UNI.
The Panthers moved 76 yards on 13 plays and settled for a 32-yard field goal by Billy Hallgren to make it 24-13 with 6:29 left in the contest.
USD moved once again into UNI territory, but a fumble inside the Panther 15-yard line ended that threat. A fumble also ended a USD desperation drive in the final minute.
The Coyotes struggled with four turnovers and also were whistled for nine penalties in the loss.
In addition to big days from Shepard and Skelly, Oberle finished with five catches for 42 yards for USD. Landry had three catches for 41 yards, while Brandon White hauled in two passes for 41 yards.
"We just kept giving ourselves a chance to win," USD coach Ed Meierkort said in a post-game radio interview. We'll learn a lot off this. I'm very encouraged by how we played."
USD resumes action Saturday, Sept. 13 in Hammond, La., when it faces Southeastern Louisiana University. Game time is 6 p.m.
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