Box Score MOORHEAD, Minn. - The Upper Iowa University Peacocks weathered a late rally by Minnesota State University Moorhead to post a 45-31 victory in a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference contest Saturday in Fayette, Iowa.

The Dragons started the game on a sour point by giving up an early fumble that would turn into points for the Peacocks.  The fumble was returned 26 yards for a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage, putting the Dragons down 7-0.
 
A couple of big runs by Brandon Thompson on the following drive set the stage for a three yard rushing touchdown to tie the game, 7-7.

Despite falling behind 45-17 at the start of the fourth quarter, the Dragons scored two touchdowns to cut the margain to 14 points.  Kevin Koch completed 13 of 21 passes for 136 yards and two touchdowns while E'boni Lucious-West and Brandon Thompson combined for 190 rushing yards. Kendall Hendon and Shawn Marlowe had receiving touchdowns for the Dragons while Thompson and Lucious-West provided rushing TDs. Wes Kramer delivered a 24-yard field goal as well.

Following another touchdown from the Peacocks, the Dragons drove 56 yards to answer with a field goal by Wes Kramer. The Dragons stalled on their next drive after the Peacock's Drew Kaluzny completed a touchdown pass to keep the Peacocks up 21-10.

A fumble from Upper Iowa in the second quarter set up a scoring drive for MSU Moorhead.  Kevin Koch would take two plays to find Kendall Hendon for a 10 yard touchdown pass. Upper Iowa extended their lead before halftime on a 32 yard rush by freshman Chris Smith, making the score 28-17.

After halftime, the Peacocks took only three plays to rush 66 yards for Freshmen Chris Smith's second touchdown of the game. On the following drive, another Dragons fumble would ultimatley result in another seven points for the Peacocks ending with a third quarter score of 42-17.

Lucious-West would score early in the fourth quarter on a 20 yard touchdown run following a field goal by Upper Iowa.  The Peacocks decided to go for the first down on fourth and one.  The Dragons stood stong and used the momentum to start a dirve of their own resulting in a 20 yard touchdown pass to Shawn Marlowe.

The three points would be all the Dragons would allow in the fourth quarter, but the Peacocks capitalized on turnovers early and pulled out the victory 45-31.

Zack Askelson and Brad Hauer led the defensive side with six tackles and a forced fumble each.  Askelson tallied five solo tackles and Hauer recorded four, including three for a loss.

MSU Moorhead moved to 1-2 overall and 0-2 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play.  They return to Alex Nemzek Staduim to celebrate Homecoming against the University of Minnesota, Crookston next Saturday, Sept. 24 at 1 p.m.

Join fellow Dragon fans for all the homecoming festivities including the parade, tailgating, and more!  Find all the information at www.dragonhomecoming.com