2008 Woodie Awards
Sycamores improve in loss to No. 4 Northern Iowa 
Trever Fehrenbach
Issue date: 11/17/08 Section: Sports
The University of Northern Iowa shut out Indiana State 28-0 this weekend, and in the process clinched at least a share of the Missouri Valley Conference title, its first in 12 years.
UNI (9-2, 7-1), on the back of its sound and methodic defense, held ISU's (0-10, 0-7) offense in check, allowing just 125 yards on 52 plays. On the other hand, UNI's offense, without its top two receivers due to suspension, ran for 238 yards and three TDs. Senior running back Corey Lewis was held under his average, only gaining 78 yards on 19 attempts with two TDs, but junior running back Derrick Law filled in for 89 yards on 17 carries and one TD.
This was the second worse offensive performance by the Sycamores since their 113 total offensive yards against Illinois State. While ISU's play on the field this Saturday was lackluster and full of disappointment, there were a couple of flashes of progress.
At the rain soaked Memorial Stadium, a winless team played physical and determined against the best team in the conference, a team that is capable of winning a national title in front of a handful of people.
"Our kids played hard and I am proud of them," head coach Trent Miles said.. It would have been very easy at 0-10 to go out there and lay down. They didn't, they fought, they tried to play physical." "That program has been good for a long time and we haven't," Miles said. "but our kids walked off the field thinking, 'that could be us.' Northern Iowa is the best the conference has to offer right now."
The final score cannot indicate how well the Sycamore defense played. The Panthers were often faced with a short field after short punts or turnovers, and their defense pushing the Sycamores back on third downs. Each of the four scoring drives ran five plays or less--five plays for 27 yards, five plays for 46 yards, three plays for 60 yards and threeplays for 55 yards.
Their execution was the key to winning the game Saturday.
In contrast, the Panthers absolutely humiliated the Sycamores 68-14 last season, piling up 662 total offensive yards, 409 rushing yards--with three 100--yard rushers, and put a stamp on the end of a miserable season.
While the team's record still may show no wins and as this loss propels them into a hall of shame with a 25-game losing streak, this team refuses to quit and is getting stronger each game.
"This was a step in the direction we want. I thought it was growth," Miles said. "The gap was huge when we got here and now I can see that gap closing. … I have been more encouraged by this team in the last couple of weeks than I have all year."
The gap will continue to close under this staff and this roster of players. As the talent emerges and the starting freshmen begin to have more experience, leads will be held, points will be scored and the defense will not budge. Time, effort and dedication will be key as this team rises above its losing culture and leave behind a decade of bad memories.
Saturday will be the season-ender as the Sycamores take on the Missouri State Bears. Kickoff will be at 12:05 p.m. at Memorial Stadium and the last chance for a victory. The last time the Sycamores had a 20-game or more losing streak, they ended it with a victory over Missouri State.
( Trever Fehrenbach is a junior English major. He can be reached at sasspted@isugw.indstate.edu.)
UNI (9-2, 7-1), on the back of its sound and methodic defense, held ISU's (0-10, 0-7) offense in check, allowing just 125 yards on 52 plays. On the other hand, UNI's offense, without its top two receivers due to suspension, ran for 238 yards and three TDs. Senior running back Corey Lewis was held under his average, only gaining 78 yards on 19 attempts with two TDs, but junior running back Derrick Law filled in for 89 yards on 17 carries and one TD.
This was the second worse offensive performance by the Sycamores since their 113 total offensive yards against Illinois State. While ISU's play on the field this Saturday was lackluster and full of disappointment, there were a couple of flashes of progress.
At the rain soaked Memorial Stadium, a winless team played physical and determined against the best team in the conference, a team that is capable of winning a national title in front of a handful of people.
"Our kids played hard and I am proud of them," head coach Trent Miles said.. It would have been very easy at 0-10 to go out there and lay down. They didn't, they fought, they tried to play physical." "That program has been good for a long time and we haven't," Miles said. "but our kids walked off the field thinking, 'that could be us.' Northern Iowa is the best the conference has to offer right now."
The final score cannot indicate how well the Sycamore defense played. The Panthers were often faced with a short field after short punts or turnovers, and their defense pushing the Sycamores back on third downs. Each of the four scoring drives ran five plays or less--five plays for 27 yards, five plays for 46 yards, three plays for 60 yards and threeplays for 55 yards.
Their execution was the key to winning the game Saturday.
In contrast, the Panthers absolutely humiliated the Sycamores 68-14 last season, piling up 662 total offensive yards, 409 rushing yards--with three 100--yard rushers, and put a stamp on the end of a miserable season.
While the team's record still may show no wins and as this loss propels them into a hall of shame with a 25-game losing streak, this team refuses to quit and is getting stronger each game.
"This was a step in the direction we want. I thought it was growth," Miles said. "The gap was huge when we got here and now I can see that gap closing. … I have been more encouraged by this team in the last couple of weeks than I have all year."
The gap will continue to close under this staff and this roster of players. As the talent emerges and the starting freshmen begin to have more experience, leads will be held, points will be scored and the defense will not budge. Time, effort and dedication will be key as this team rises above its losing culture and leave behind a decade of bad memories.
Saturday will be the season-ender as the Sycamores take on the Missouri State Bears. Kickoff will be at 12:05 p.m. at Memorial Stadium and the last chance for a victory. The last time the Sycamores had a 20-game or more losing streak, they ended it with a victory over Missouri State.
( Trever Fehrenbach is a junior English major. He can be reached at sasspted@isugw.indstate.edu.)
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