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Football
Panthers Outlast Hilltoppers, 23-20 in Double OvertimeNov. 5, 2005 PANTHERS OUTLAST HILLTOPPERS, 23-20 IN DOUBLE OT Bowling Green, KY-- Eric Sanders connected with Justin Surrency for a 20-yard touchdown strike to beat Western Kentucky in double overtime and keep the University of Northern Iowa football team's Gateway title hopes afloat. Sanders finished the day 24-29 for 235 yards and the decisive touchdown strike. The Hilltoppers struck first as the first quarter clock dwindled, putting the ball through the uprights from 52 yards to take a 3-0 lead into the second period. The Panthers tied the score with a 24-yard field goal by Brian Wingert midway through the second quarter. But WKU drove 80 yards to pay dirt in just under six minutes to take a 10-3 lead into the locker room. Defense ruled the third quarter, with both squads stuffing the offensive attacks and taking the 10-3 score into the final quarter. The Panthers tied the game with an electrifying 70-yard punt return for a touchdown by Johnny Gray, setting the stage for a dramatic defensive stand as the fourth quarter expired. The Hilltoppers drove to the UNI 20-yard line and stopped the clock with three seconds remaining. The ensuing field goal was wide right, but an offsides penalty on the Panthers moved ball five yards closer, and gave WKU kicker Chris James another shot. The Panther defense blocked James' second attempt, sending the game into overtime. UNI scored on a one-yard touchdown lunge by Sanders, but the Hilltoppers tied the score on the next possession, sending the game into a second overtime. WKU kicked a 33-yard field goal to take a 20-17 lead, but Sanders found Surrency for six on the Panthers' possession for the 23-20 victory. Sanders found 10 different receivers on the night, with Brian Cutright and Surrency leading the squad with four catches each. Cutright led the team with 67 yards while Surrency finished with 50 yards and the winning touchdown.
Terrence Freeney shouldered a heavy burden of the rushing attack, carrying 26 times for 76 yards. Sanders lost 23 yards due to five sacks from the Hilltopper defense, but stepped up when it counted for a big one-yard touchdown rush. The defense was stout all night, accumulating seven tackles in the backfield, a sack, an interception and a pivotal blocked field goal as the fourth quarter came to a close. Darin Heideman led all defenders with 14 tackles, with Brett Koebcke nipping at his heels with 12. Dre Doaks snagged the lone interception of the night in the fourth quarter. UNI moves to 6-3 overall, 4-2 in the GFC. The Panthers host Southern Illinois in a duel for an automatic bid to the Division 1-AA playoffs. Kickoff is at 5:05 p.m. |
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