Stories for Northern Iowa

• 3-Pointers: Painter downplays Purdue's role in Big Ten race
  posted on February 08, 2010 - 10:31:04 am
  
  

  Sporting News' Mike DeCourcy analyzes what Monday's buzz means to college basketball.

  
  
  
• Koch leads Np. 24 Northern Iowa past Southern Illinois
  posted on February 06, 2010 - 05:50:03 pm
  
  

  CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Adam Koch scored 11 consecutive points for Northern Iowa down the stretch and the 24th-ranked Panthers rallied to beat Southern Illinois 55-52 on Saturday.

  
  
  
• S. Illinois-N. Iowa Preview
  posted on February 05, 2010 - 09:30:03 am
  
  
  STATS Senior Writer

  After earning a pair of hard-fought victories in its last two Missouri Valley Conference games, Northern Iowa could have an easier time with Southern Illinois in town.

  
  
  
• No. 24 Northern Iowa beats Wichita State 59-56
  posted on February 03, 2010 - 07:25:02 pm
  
  

  CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Kwadzo Ahelegbe scored 18 points, 15 in the second half, and No. 24 Northern Iowa hung on to beat Wichita State 59-56 on Wednesday night.

  
  
  
• No. 24 Northern Iowa opens pivotal week
  posted on February 03, 2010 - 12:40:09 am
  
  

  DES MOINES, Iowa -- Northern Iowa isn't going to talk about how important this week is.

  The Panthers don't really have to, though.

  
  
  
• Wichita St.-N. Iowa Preview
  posted on February 02, 2010 - 10:50:02 am
  
  
  STATS Writer

  It's been a little more than two weeks since Wichita State dealt Northern Iowa its only Missouri Valley Conference loss.

  
  
  
• Northern Iowa tips Missouri State 55-54
  posted on January 30, 2010 - 02:35:06 pm
  
  

  SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Kerwin Dunham's basket with 40 seconds left lifted Northern Iowa to a 55-54 win over Missouri State Saturday.

  
  
  
• Northern Iowa tops Drake 67-51
  posted on January 27, 2010 - 07:25:09 pm
  
  

  CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Adam Koch scored 14 points and Northern Iowa defeated Drake 67-51 Wednesday night.

  
  
  
• Dunham leads No. 20 N. Iowa over Indiana St. 67-58
  posted on January 24, 2010 - 01:55:02 pm
  
  

  TERRE HAUTE, Ind. -- Kerwin Dunham scored a career-high 14 points, and No. 20 Northern Iowa bounced back from its first conference loss to beat Indiana State 67-58 on Sunday.

  
  
  
• N. Iowa-Indiana St. Preview
  posted on January 23, 2010 - 01:30:02 pm
  
  
  STATS Writer

  Northern Iowa used a stout defense to earn its first national ranking in four seasons, but couldn't generate enough offense in its first game as a Top 25 team.

  
  
  
• Northern Iowa's Eglseder grows into starring role
  posted on January 22, 2010 - 02:10:02 am
  
  

  DES MOINES, Iowa -- Northern Iowa senior center Jordan Eglseder used to live by what he dubbed the "just whatever" approach to eating.

  
  
  
• Shockers bump off Northern Iowa 60-51
  posted on January 19, 2010 - 08:20:24 pm
  
  

  WICHITA, Kan. -- JT Durley had 19 points, Graham Hatch added 14 and Wichita State knocked off No.

  
  
  
• N. Iowa-Wichita St. Preview
  posted on January 18, 2010 - 03:00:02 pm
  
  
  STATS Senior Writer

  Relying on outstanding defense, Northern Iowa has surged through the first two months of the season with little notice.

  
  
  
• Northern Iowa routs Indiana State 62-40
  posted on January 16, 2010 - 08:10:03 pm
  
  

  CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Adam Koch scored 13 points and Northern Iowa breezed to its school-record 15th straight victory Saturday night, routing Indiana State 62-40.

  
  
  
• Northern Iowa holds on to win 14th straight, 52-50
  posted on January 12, 2010 - 09:06:19 pm
  
  

  CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Ali Farokhmanesh scored 14 points, Jordan Eglseder added 11 and 10 rebounds and Northern Iowa edged Bradley 52-50 Tuesday night, tying the school record with its 14th consecuti

  
  
  
• Conference Call: Xavier rebounds from tough Wake Forest loss
  posted on January 11, 2010 - 11:35:37 am
  
  

  Each week, Sporting News' Mike DeCourcy ranks the BCS conferences—and teams within each league—plus the best of the rest based on achievement.

  
  
  
• Northern Iowa defeats Illinois State 59-44
  posted on January 09, 2010 - 03:30:02 pm
  
  

  NORMAL, Ill. -- Jordan Eglseder scored 16 points to lead Northern Iowa to a 59-44 victory over Illinois State Saturday.

  
  
  
• Northern Iowa gets past Missouri State 84-76
  posted on January 03, 2010 - 02:05:03 pm
  
  

  CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Jordan Eglseder scored 22 points and grabbed 13 rebounds as Northern Iowa defeated Missouri State 84-76 Sunday.

  
  
  
• Northern Iowa coasts past Evansville 65-46
  posted on January 01, 2010 - 07:45:03 pm
  
  

  CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Northern Iowa started both halves with huge runs en route to a 65-46 victory over Evansville on Friday night.

  
  
  
• Northern Iowa tops Creighton 60-52
  posted on December 29, 2009 - 07:30:05 pm
  
  

  OMAHA, Neb. -- Ali Farokhmanesh scored 15 points and Kwadzo Ahelegbe added 12 as Northern Iowa downed Creighton 60-52 Tuesday night in the Missouri Valley Conference opener for both teams.

  
  
  
• Conference Call: Watch out for UAB
  posted on December 28, 2009 - 11:58:05 am
  
  

  Conf.

  
  
  
• Eglseder's 28 lead Northern Iowa by Wyoming 72-54
  posted on December 23, 2009 - 07:25:12 pm
  
  

  CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Jordan Eglseder had game highs of 28 points and nine rebounds to lead Northern Iowa past Wyoming 72-54 on Wednesday night.

  
  
  
• Northern Iowa defeats North Dakota 64-41
  posted on December 19, 2009 - 01:45:09 pm
  
  

  GRAND FORKS, N.D. -- Reserve guard Marc Sonnen scored a career-high 21 points on seven 3-point shots to lead Northern Iowa to a 64-41 victory over North Dakota on Saturday.

  
  
  
• Conference Call: Northern Iowa rising among non-BCS schools
  posted on December 14, 2009 - 03:48:05 pm
  
  
  
  Each week, Sporting News' Mike DeCourcy ranks the BCS conferences — and teams within each lea
  
  
  
• Northern Iowa surges past Siena for 82-65 victory
  posted on December 12, 2009 - 08:15:02 pm
  
  

  CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Ali Farokhmanesh scored 15 points to lead a balanced offensive attack and Northern Iowa defeated Siena 82-65 Saturday night.

  
  
  
• Northern Iowa tops Iowa 67-50 for 5th-straight win
  posted on December 08, 2009 - 07:25:02 pm
  
  

  CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Kwadzo Ahelegbe scored 20 points as Northern Iowa beat Iowa 67-50 Tuesday night to push its winning streak to five games.

  
  
  
• Northern Iowa rallies to clip Iowa State 63-60
  posted on December 02, 2009 - 07:20:13 pm
  
  

  AMES, Iowa -- Ali Farokhmanesh buried a 3-pointer with 36 seconds left and Northern Iowa rallied to beat host Iowa State 63-60 Wednesday night for its third win in four tries against former Panther

  
  
  
• Conference Call: West Coast Conference will be formidable
  posted on November 30, 2009 - 03:56:49 pm
  
  
  
  Each week, Sporting News' Mike DeCourcy ranks the top six college basketball conferences -- and the
  
  
  
• Northern Iowa gets past Northern Illinois 52-45
  posted on November 28, 2009 - 08:30:18 pm
  
  

  CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Adam Koch scored 15 points and Kwadzo Ahelegbe added 13 as Northern Iowa defeated Northern Illinois 52-45 on Saturday night.

  Both teams struggled offensively. The Huskies shot only 32.7 percent (17 of 52) while the Panthers weren't much better at 34.0 percent (16 of 47). The teams combined for only nine assists.

  Northern Iowa (4-1) took advantage of 19 turnovers by Northern Illinois (1-4) and outshot the Huskies at the free-throw line 27-8 - but made only 16.

  Tony Nixon led the Huskies (1-4) with nine points.

  The Panthers led 29-20 at halftime but didn't score again until Ahelegbe hit a free throw with 10:23 to go. They didn't relinquish the lead, though, as Northern Illinois scored only five points during their drought.

  Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

  
  
  
• Cabrera joins Jackson, Granderson in Tigers' trade rumors
  posted on November 24, 2009 - 07:44:07 am
  
  
  Sporting News staff reports

  The Detroit News speculated that trade offers for Tigers center fielder Curtis Granderson and Tigers righthander Edwin Jackson have underwhelmed thus far.

  That belief is based on Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski's reputation as a quick dealer. If he had received a deal to his liking, Dombrowski likely would have made a move already.

  And the situation surrounding Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera apparently is similar.

  Rumors have the Red Sox among the teams interested in Cabrera, though Dombrowski declined to admit whether he has had any trade discussions about Cabrera. Detroit, looking to shed payroll, owes Cabrera $126 million over the next six seasons. The newspaper listed Red Sox righthander Clay Buchholz as the anchor of any Cabrera deal between the teams.

  
  
  
• Ahelegbe leads N. Iowa over Boston College 81-69
  posted on November 23, 2009 - 04:40:02 pm
  
  

  ST. THOMAS, Virgin Islands -- Kwadzo Ahelegbe scored 20 of his 32 points in the second half to lead Northern Iowa to an 81-69 victory over Boston College on Monday in the fourth place game of the Paradise Jam.

  Boston College had no answer for Ahelegbe, who was 14 of 17 from the field and hit all three of his attempts from beyond the arc.

  Adam Koch added 14 points and Jordan Eglseder 13 for the Panthers (3-1).

  Corey Raji scored 18 points and Josh Southern had 12 to lead the Eagles (3-2), who led 41-38 at halftime but were hampered by 13 turnovers.

  Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

  
  
  
• Koch scores 25 to lead Northern Iowa to win
  posted on November 21, 2009 - 06:10:02 pm
  
  

  ST. THOMAS, Virgin Islands -- Adam Koch scored 25 points to lead Northern Iowa to a 74-68 victory over East Carolina on Saturday in the consolation round of the U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam.

  Koch hit four 3-pointers to help the Panthers (2-1) take a 39-29 halftime lead. They led by seven with 1:43 to play and hit seven of eight free throws to hold off the Pirates (1-4).

  Jordan Eglseder added 19 points and 10 rebounds for Northern Iowa.

  Brock Young scored 18 points to lead East Carolina. Jamar Abrams and Jontae Sherrod added 15 points each. Darrius Morrow chipped in 12 points.

  Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

  
  
  
• Illinois State wins 22-20 on last-second TD pass
  posted on November 21, 2009 - 01:20:02 pm
  
  

  NORMAL, Ill. -- Matt Lancaster's 8-yard touchdown pass to Eyad Salem with 1 second remaining Saturday lifted Illinois State to a 22-20 victory over Northern Iowa.

  Northern Iowa (7-4, 5-3 Missouri Valley) did not lead in the game until 44 seconds remained, when Zach Davis connected with Schuylar Oordt on a 36-yard TD pass for a 20-16 Panthers lead. But the Redbirds (6-5, 5-3) went 59 yards in five plays to win it. Lancaster hit Ben Ericksen for 24 yards and then ran for 11 to get Illinois State close to the end zone.

  The Redbirds built a 16-3 halftime lead on Chris Garrett's 32-yard interception return for a score and three Zach Kutch field goals, including 52- and 51-yarders. Davis threw a pair of touchdown passes in the final 6 minutes to rally Northern Iowa.

  Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

  
  
  
• Kelly leads DePaul past Northern Iowa
  posted on November 20, 2009 - 05:40:02 pm
  
  

  ST. THOMAS, Virgin Islands -- Jeremiah Kelly had a career-high 18 points and eight rebounds and DePaul closed with a 20-6 run to beat Northern Iowa 60-52 on Friday in the first round of the Paradise Jam.

  Mac Koshwal added 12 points and 19 rebounds to help the Blue Demons (2-0) advance to the semifinals Sunday against No. 10 Tennessee, a 105-66 winner over East Carolina.

  Ali Farokhmanesh led Northern Iowa (1-1) with 12 points. The Panthers will play East Carolina on Saturday.

  Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

  
  
  
• Northern Iowa beats Western Illinois 34-0
  posted on November 14, 2009 - 08:40:15 pm
  
  

  CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Pat Grace threw for 213 yards and three touchdowns as Northern Iowa beat Western Illinois 34-0 Saturday night.

  Grace connected for scores with Jarred Herring, D.P. Eyman and Ryan Mahaffey and added 63 yards on the ground. He tied with Derrick Law as the team's leading rushers.

  The Panthers (7-3) outgained the Leathernecks (1-9) 398-112 and held them to just six first downs. Western Illinois was unable to convert on any of its 11 third-down situations.

  Quentin Scott had two interceptions and Andre Martin had 1, all thrown by Leatherneck quarterback Wil Lunt.

  Dre Gibbs led the Leathernecks' offense with 80 yards on 19 carries.

  Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

  
  
  
• Northern Iowa edges past Denver 71-65
  posted on November 13, 2009 - 10:10:07 pm
  
  

  DENVER -- Kwadzo Ahelegbe scored 18 points, hitting half of his 14 field goal tries, to lead Northern Iowa to a 71-65 win over Denver on Friday.

  Ahelegbe was one of four Northern Iowa (1-0) players to score double digits, including Jordan Eglseder, who had a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds.

  Ali Farokhmanesh had 16 points for the Panthers and Adam Koch scored 13.

  Denver (0-1) kept the score close most of the game, down just two points at the half and tied with 7:04 to play. But Northern Iowa held on to a small lead after that.

  Denver's Brian Stafford led the game in points with 20. His team also had four players with double-digit scoring.

  Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

  
  
  
• South Dakota State topples Northern Iowa 24-14
  posted on October 24, 2009 - 04:20:05 pm
  
  

  BROOKINGS, S.D. -- Thomas O'Brien threw two touchdown passes to guide South Dakota State to a 24-14 victory over Northern Iowa on Saturday.

  O'Brien, who went 26-for-37 for 285 yards, hit Glen Fox with a 63-yard touchdown pass and Colin Cochart with a 1-yarder. Fox caught five passes for 99 yards for the Jackrabbits (6-1, 5-0 Missouri Valley).

  Peter Reifenrath kicked two short field goals, and Kyle Harris added a 49-yarder.

  Quarterback Pat Grace led Northern Iowa (5-3, 3-2) by rushing for touchdowns of 2 and 3 yards. He also passed 38 times, completing 21 for 215 yards. Carlos Anderson rushed 13 times for 79 yards.

  The victory created a two-way tie atop the conference with Southern Illinois, which visits South Dakota State on Nov. 7.

  Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

  
  
  
• Southern Illinois gets past Northern Iowa 27-20
  posted on October 17, 2009 - 07:00:07 pm
  
  

  CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Deji Karim rushed for 128 yards and a touchdown and Brandon Williams returned an interception for a TD as Southern Illinois held off Northern Iowa 27-20 Saturday.

  Williams' 21-yard return came with 2:48 remaining in the game and put the Salukis (5-1, 4-0 Missouri Valley) ahead 27-13.

  Pat Grace, who threw for 219 yards and two touchdowns, pulled the Panthers (5-2, 3-1) to within 27-20 with 1:50 left when he connected with D.J. Hord on a 3-yard pass, but Southern Illinois then ran out the clock.

  The Salukis, who ended an 11-game losing streak in Cedar Falls, took their first second-half lead with 5:06 remaining on Karim's 1-yard run which broke a 13-13 tie. Steven Morse set up the touchdown, which came on a fourth-down play, when he recovered a fumbled punt at the Northern Iowa 7-yard line.

  Derrick Law ran for 124 yards for Northern Iowa.

  Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

  
  
  
• Southern Illinois gets past Northern Iowa 27-20
  posted on October 17, 2009 - 07:05:02 pm
  
  

  CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Deji Karim rushed for 125 yards and a touchdown and Brandon Williams returned an interception for a TD as Southern Illinois held off Northern Iowa 27-20 Saturday.

  Williams' 21-yard return came with 2:48 remaining in the game and put the Salukis (5-1, 4-0 Missouri Valley) ahead 27-13.

  Pat Grace, who threw for 219 yards and two touchdowns, pulled the Panthers (5-2, 3-1) to within 27-20 with 1:50 left when he connected with D.J. Hord on a 3-yard pass, but Southern Illinois then ran out the clock.

  The Salukis, who ended an 11-game losing streak in Cedar Falls, took their first second-half lead with 5:06 remaining on Karim's 1-yard run which broke a 13-13 tie. Steven Morse set up the touchdown, which came on a fourth-down play, when he recovered a fumbled punt at the Northern Iowa 7-yard line.

  Derrick Law ran for 123 yards for Northern Iowa.

  Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

  
  
  
• Northern Iowa rolls past North Dakota State 42-27
  posted on October 10, 2009 - 05:00:05 pm
  
  

  FARGO, N.D. -- Pat Grace shook off an injury and threw three touchdown passes, leading Northern Iowa past North Dakota State 42-27 Saturday.

  Grace left the game briefly late in the third quarter after losing a fumble while being sacked. He returned to throw two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter, a 39-yard strike to Maurice Turner and a 16-yarder to Schuyler Oordt.

  Grace finished 14 of 21 for 229 yards for the Panthers (5-1, 3-0 Missouri Valley).

  D.J. Hord had six catches for 105 yards and a touchdown for the Panthers. Derrick Law ran for 121 yards on eight carries.

  Pat Paschall rushed for 115 yards for NDSU (1-5, 0-3). It was his sixth straight 100-yard game.

  North Dakota State rolled up 514 total yards against a UNI defense that entered the game ranked second in the nation in yards allowed.

  The teams combined for 27 penalties totaling 272 yards.

  Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

  
  
  
• Northern Iowa coasts past Indiana State 62-7
  posted on October 03, 2009 - 07:10:02 pm
  
  

  CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Quarterback Pat Grace completed only seven of nine pass attempts, but those completions went for 157 yards and three touchdowns as Northern Iowa dominated Indiana State 62-7 Saturday.

  Grace threaded a pair of 30-yard TD passes to Schuylar Oordt, and threw a 4-yard TD pass to Ryan Mahaffey.

  The Panthers scored touchdowns on each of their six possessions in the first half as they coasted to a 42-0 halftime lead. Grace gave way to sophomore quarterbacks Zach Davis and Caleb Walter in the second half.

  Northern Iowa running back Derrick Law racked up 78 yards on 12 carries for two scores in the first half. Matt Strathman carried the load in the second half with 133 yards on 16 carries, including a 49-yard touchdown run.

  The Panthers improved to 4-1 on the season and 2-0 in the Missouri Valley Football Conference. The Sycamores fell to 0-6 and 0-3 to extended their losing streak to 32 games.

  Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

  
  
  
• N. Iowa 35, Missouri St. 7
  posted on September 26, 2009 - 02:35:02 pm
  
  

  SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Northern Iowa scored three times in the first half and coasted to a 35-7 win Saturday over Missouri State.

  The defense of No. 3 Northern Iowas (3-1, 1-0 Missouri Valley Conference) held Missouri State (2-2, 0-1) scoreless until the Bears scored with 7.2 seconds left in the game.

  Northern Iowa led 21-0 at halftime and 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.

  Pat Grace and D.P. 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 States only score came on a 5 yard pass from Cody Kirby to Clay Harbor with 7.2 seconds in the game.

  Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

  
  
  
• N. Iowa 35, Missouri St. 7
  posted on September 26, 2009 - 02:50:02 pm
  
  

  SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Northern Iowa scored three times in the first half and coasted to a 35-7 win Saturday over Missouri State.

  The defense of No. 3 Northern Iowa's (3-1, 1-0 Missouri Valley Conference) held Missouri State (2-2, 0-1) scoreless until the Bears scored with 7.2 seconds left in the game.

  Northern Iowa led 21-0 at halftime and 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.

  Pat Grace and D.P. 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.

  Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

  
  
  
• Northern Iowa defeats St. Francis, Pa., 30-0
  posted on September 19, 2009 - 05:35:05 pm
  
  

  CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Pat Grace threw two touchdown passes as Northern Iowa defeated St. Francis, Pa., 30-0 on Saturday.

  The Panthers (2-1) led from the opening kickoff, which Jarred Herring returned 88 yards for a touchdown.

  Derrick Law ran for 139 yards for the Panthers of the Missouri Valley Football Conference. Grace (10 of 18, 167 yards) connected with D.J. Hord for TDs of 2 and 57 yards for Northern Iowa, which piled up 382 yards from scrimmage. St. Francis (1-2), of the Northeast Conference, was held to 40 rushing yards and 147 total.

  Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

  
  
  
• Grace powers Northern Iowa past South Dakota 66-7
  posted on September 12, 2009 - 06:15:17 pm
  
  

  CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Pat Grace threw for 445 yards and four touchdowns and ran for three other scores Saturday as Northern Iowa defeated South Dakota 66-7.

  Grace, who finished 24 of 32, connected with receiver D.P. Eyman nine times for 197 yards and a touchdown as the Panthers (1-1) rebounded from a one-point loss to the University of Iowa last week.

  Receiver Ben Oberle caught six passes for 112 yards and a touchdown for South Dakota (1-1). His score came on the Coyotes' first play from scrimmage, a 70-yard flea-flicker.

  Five of Grace's touchdowns came in the second quarter when Northern Iowa broke open a game which was 10-7 after the first quarter. The Panthers also rushed for 234 yards and finished with 712 yards of total offense.

  Northern Iowa's defense held South Dakota to 113 yard rushing, recovered three fumbles and intercepted two passes.

  Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

  
  
  
• Iowa blocks 2 FG attempts to hold off UNI, 17-16
  posted on September 05, 2009 - 12:50:02 pm
  
  

  IOWA CITY, Iowa -- Jeremiah Hunter made up for a mental mistake moments earlier by blocking Northern Iowa's second field goal try in the closing seconds, allowing No. 22 Iowa to escape with a 17-16 victory Saturday.

  The Panthers lined up for the potential winning field goal with 7 seconds left, but Broderick Binns blocked Billy Hallgren's 40-yard attempt on a first down. Believing the game was over, Hunter and several Hawkeyes allowed UNI to recover the ball with a second left.

  After officials reviewed the play to make sure there was time on the clock, Hunter got his hand on Hallgren's second attempt to end the game.

  Pat Grace threw for 270 yards for the Panthers, one of the top programs in the Football Championship Subdivision. He led them all the way from their own 8 yard line with 2:14 left to set up Hallgren's potential game-winners.

  Ricky Stanzi had 242 yards passing and a touchdown for the Hawkeyes.

  Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

  
  
  
• No. 22 Iowa seeking answers on offense in opener
  posted on September 04, 2009 - 11:55:01 am
  
  

  IOWA CITY, Iowa -- It's a good thing Iowa opens the season at home against Football Championship Subdivision opponent Northern Iowa.

  The 22nd-ranked Hawkeyes have quite a few kinks to work out on offense.

  Iowa hardly has any idea who will replace departed Doak Walker Award winner Shonn Greene at running back, now that projected starter Jewel Hampton is out for the year with a knee injury. The offensive line is in flux as well, with just one projected starter from the spring expected to be in that spot for Saturday's opener.

  Unlike the start of last season, though, Iowa is solid at quarterback. Junior Ricky Stanzi has taken control of the job after a somewhat chaotic sophomore campaign, and his experience will come in handy early on.

  "We expect him to play quarterback and play well, and he's important in the running game as far as making sure we're not doing dumb things out there. Hopefully he'll be a proficient passer," coach Kirk Ferentz said. "He had a good camp and I think he's a little more confident than he was last year at this time."

  In 2008, Stanzi and the since-departed Jake Christensen battled for the starting job through the end of September before Stanzi took over for good, leading Iowa to a 6-1 record down the stretch.

  It looks like it might take Iowa at least that long to settle on a No. 1 running back this season.

  Unheralded junior Paki O'Meara, who has spent the bulk of his first two seasons on special teams, earned the starting nod for Saturday, with redshirt freshman Adam Robinson as the backup. Freshmen Jeff Brinson and Brandon Wegher also figure to be in the mix at tailback.

  "I think we just keep an open mind on this whole thing right now," Ferentz said. "My guess is, probably by the end of the season we'll see all four of those guys being involved if they can stay healthy and pick up what's going on."

  Iowa's offensive line is expected to be among the nation's best, with 99 career starts between them. The problem is that two of those players, tackle Kyle Calloway and guard Julian Vandervelde, won't play against the Panthers.

  Calloway is serving a one-game suspension after being arrested and charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated. Vandervelde is still recovering from offseason surgery.

  Guard Adam Gettis will make his first career start in Vandervelde's spot, and Rafael Eubanks is back at center after playing guard much of last season. Senior Dace Richardson, who hasn't played since 2007 because of knee injuries, will start at right tackle.

  "We do have experience right now, and the frustrating thing is just trying to figure out where we're at because we've had a lot of guys in and out," Ferentz said.

  History indicates that Iowa's issues shouldn't be a major concern against Northern Iowa, which has been outscored 145-34 in three trips to Kinnick Stadium since 1995.

  But the Panthers have won at least a share of the last two Missouri Valley Football Conference titles and reached the FCS semifinals last season. Nine starters return from an offense that averaged 29.2 points per game in 2008, including senior quarterback Pat Grace, who accounted for 25 touchdowns.

  Still, the Northern Iowa team that made it all the way to the FCS national title game in 2005 lost at Iowa 45-21. The Hawkeyes scored on five of its first six possessions that day, and Northern Iowa coach Mark Farley knows the Panthers face a challenge of playing on the road.

  "Sometimes that added excitement adds to a missed tackle or a missed assignment and it exhausts a player very quickly until you settle down," Farley said. "That's the edge they'll always have, playing home field at Kinnick."

  The biggest edge will the Hawkeyes will have, though, is their defense. Iowa returns eight starters from a unit that allowed just 13 points a game in 2008 and, save for a season-ending injury to cornerback Jordan Bernstine, enters the season healthy.

  Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

  
  
  
• N. Iowa-Iowa Preview
  posted on September 01, 2009 - 04:35:01 pm
  
  
  STATS Writer

  Iowa knew it was going to be practically impossible to replace All-American running back Shonn Greene.

  It just became more difficult.

  In the wake of Tuesday's announcement that projected starting running back Jewel Hampton will miss the season due to a knee injury, the 22nd-ranked Hawkeyes open their season Saturday at Kinnick Stadium against Northern Iowa.

  After rushing for school records of 1,850 yards and 20 touchdowns last season, Greene won the 2008 Doak Walker Award as the nation's best running back but announced shortly thereafter he would skip his senior season to enter the NFL draft.

  "We lost a great player in Shonn Greene, a national award-winning player," Hawkeyes coach Kirk Ferentz said Tuesday. "You don't just replace those guys. (Junior) Paki O'Meara and (redshirt freshman) Adam Robinson emerged a bit during fall camp. We're anxious to get them out there and see how things go."

  Hampton rushed for 463 yards and an Iowa freshman-record seven touchdowns in 2008, and he was expected to move into the starting running back role. Instead, the 19-year-old sophomore will redshirt this season with a right knee injury suffered in preseason practice.

  "I'm curious to see how everything pulls together," Ferentz said. "(The running game is) certainly an area where we don't have a lot of experience. Coupled with the fact that we lost just an outstanding performer, that's a little bit more prominent in terms of focus."

  The loss of Hampton puts even more pressure on junior quarterback Ricky Stanzi, who took over the Hawkeyes' starting job from Jake Christensen (transferred to Eastern Illinois) following a 21-20 loss at Pittsburgh on Sept. 20.

  Stanzi was 150 of 254 for 1,956 yards with 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 2008 when he guided the Hawkeyes to six wins in their final seven games, including an Outback Bowl win over South Carolina to finish 9-4.

  "You're supposed to feel more confident the more experience you have, but that doesn't mean there's any room to get lazy," Stanzi said.

  Junior Derrell Johnson-Koulianos provides Stanzi with an experienced downfield option. Johnson-Koulianos led the Hawkeyes with 44 catches and 639 receiving yards last season. He averaged 19.8 yards on kickoff returns.

  Marvin McNutt, who saw action at quarterback in two games last season, has converted to wide receiver and gives Stanzi another deep-play threat.

  "He has done a great job of going up and getting the football," Stanzi said of the 6-foot-4 sophomore. "He has a big body, and he has really worked on his speed all through the offseason."

  Iowa returns eight starters from a defense that was fifth in the nation in points allowed last season at 13.0 per game.

  Although the Hawkeyes lost standout defensive tackles Mitch King and Matt Kroul to graduation, senior linebackers Pat Angerer and A.J. Edds along with junior defensive backs Brett Greenwood and Amari Spievey give Iowa plenty of big-game experience.

  While the Hawkeyes are targeting their first Rose Bowl appearance since 1991 without an established running game, Northern Iowa has been dealing with its own preseason problems.

  Coach Mark Farley suspended backup quarterback Zach Davis and offensive linemen Evan Tecklenburg and Misha Danilov for Saturday's season opener. Davis was arrested for drunk driving last weekend while Tecklenburg and Danilov were both arrested in July for possession of drug paraphernalia.

  Still, the two-time defending Missouri Valley Conference champions are ranked fourth in the Football Championship Subdivision.

  However, the Panthers are 0-13 in Iowa City, including a 45-21 loss in 2005 in their most recent visit.

  "That's one of the most unique venues in college football," Farley said of Kinnick Stadium. "Standing there in that tunnel before you come out, that is an awesome deal, whether you're the opponent or the home team. ... I don't think you're prepared for that, and I think that's what maybe got us last time we played them.

  "We have to get through that initial hit in that first quarter."

  Senior Pat Grace begins his second season as the Panthers' starting quarterback. In 2008, he threw for 2,041 yards and 14 touchdowns while earning second-team all-conference honors and leading Northern Iowa to a 12-3 mark.

  Iowa has won 13 straight in this series since an 11-5 loss in the teams' first meeting Nov. 5, 1898, in Cedar Falls.

  
  
  
• N. Iowa basketball coach gets contract extension
  posted on August 12, 2009 - 07:58:49 am
  
  

  CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — Northern Iowa has agreed to a seven-year contract extension with men's basketball coach Ben Jacobson.

  Athletic director Troy Dannen said Tuesday that details are being worked out, but Jacobson will earn about $290,000 a year. Dannen says that brings him closer to what other coaches are paid in the Missouri Valley Conference.

  Jacobson's old contract paid him $159,000 a year, was five years in length and had an annual rollover clause.

  Dannen says Jacobson's base salary will stay about the same, but he was able to give him a raise through outside sources.

  Jacobson led UNI to 23-11 record last season and a share of its first regular-season MVC title, which earned the Panthers a berth in the NCAA Tournament.

  Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

  
  
  
• UNI's Steichen arrested, charged with assault
  posted on July 02, 2009 - 12:00:01 pm
  
  

  ARNOLDS PARK, Iowa -- Northern Iowa offensive lineman Austin Steichen and two other men have been arrested in connection with an alleged assault.

  Arnold Park Police CHief Alan Krueger said Thursday that Steichen, his brother, Andrew Steichen, and Adam Dwyer were arrested on Tuesday after a fight that left an unidentified man unconscious. Police said the man injuries to his head, face and torso.

  Police said Austin Steichen, who will be a senior next season, was charged with willful injury, public intoxication, disorderly conduct and simple assault.

  Northern Iowa coach Mark Farley says he's aware of the situation and is looking into details before making any decisions.

  The arrests were first reported by the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier.

  Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.