Stephen F. Austin
Northern Iowa
'Jacks Fall To Northern Iowa, 31-24
9/21/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 21, 2002
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa
The Lumberjacks fell to 2-2 on the season after suffering a 31-24 loss to the University of Northern Iowa Saturday afternoon in Cedar Falls. The loss is the second of the season for the 'Jacks against a ranked opponent, on the road.
UNI jumped out to an early 17-0 lead before the SFA offensive unit seemed to find itself. The Panthers scored on their first possession following an impressive 12-play, 74-yard drive. UNI followed that with a quick score on a 55-yard touchdown reception by Marlus Mays with 3:32 remaining in the first quarter. The Panthers added a field goal early in the second quarter to go up 17-0, then the Lumberjacks began a rally that brought them back to 17-14 at the half.
Following the field goal, the SFA offensive unit marched 78-yards in 10-plays, capped by Cliff Edwards' 7-yard touchdown run. On the endsuing possession, UNI quarterback Griff Jurgens was intercepted by LB Aubrey Brisendine at the SFA 46-yard line.
The 'Jacks cut the lead to 17-14 when Michael Williams scored from 13-yards out. SFA went in at the half trailing 17-14.
SFA took the opening kick of the second half and marched on an 80-yard drive and scored on a 17-yard Michael Williams to Michael David touchdown pass. With the TD, SFA had their first lead of the afternoon at 21-17.
Nick Trotter intercepted a pass only three plays later and it seemed that the 'Jacks were rolling, but SFA could not capitalize and turned the ball back over to UNI when Williams threw one of his four interceptions near midfield on third down and long.
Nothern Iowa regained the lead on an Adam Benge touchdown midway through the quarter at 24-21, then scored another touchdown following a blocked punt at the SFA 24-yard line, giving UNI a 31-21 lead. The 'Jacks threatened again early in the fourth quarter taking the ball all the way to the UNI 2-yard line before a two penalties forced SFA to settle for a Stephen Coker field goal to make the score 31-24.
SFA amassed 349 yards of total offense while holding UNI to 334. RB Tony Tompkins led the way for SFA with 95 yards on 13 carries. Adam Benge rushed a career high 36 times for 172 yards for UNI and scored one touchdown.
