SPRINGFIELD, 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.
Head to Head - Week 4
| Team | Total Yds | Pass Yds | Rush Yds | First Downs | 3rdD% | Pen./Yds | Turnovers | Time of Poss. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Iowa | 396 | 202 | 194 | 22 | 50.0% | 9/80 | 2 | 32:02 |
| Missouri State | 185 | 116 | 69 | 15 | 37.5% | 6/61 | 2 | 27:58 |
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