Missouri valley conference \ Saturday’s other games

Northern Iowa 35, Missouri State 7

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — As powerful as Northern Iowa’s offense was in its win over Missouri State Saturday, it was the Panthers’ defense that held Missouri State scoreless until the last seconds of the game. Northern Iowa (3-1, 1-0 Missouri Valley) scored three times in the first half and coasted through the game without a serious challenge from Missouri State (2-2, 0-1). The Panthers held Missouri State to 15 first downs, including 8 in the second half and gave up just 185 yards of total offense. Even when Missouri State recovered a Northern Iowa fumble on the Panthers’ 25 in the fourth quarter, the Bears were unable to score as it failed to covert on a 4 and 7 from the 8 yard line. Three different Northern Iowa players scored in the first half. Jarred Herring opening the game with a 3-yard run with 3:50 left in the first quarter. Pat Grace scored on an 11-yard run with 6:17 left in the half and Grace threw a 27-yard touchdown pass to D.P. Eyman with 1:59 left. Northern Iowa 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.

S. Illinois 24, N. Dakota State 14

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Chris Dieker threw two touchdown passes as Southern Illinois held off North Dakota State in a MVFC opener. Dieker connected with Jeff Evans on a 61-yard pass to open the scoring, then finished it with a 7-yard touchdown pass to Joe Allaria midway through the fourth quarter. Dieker was 10 of 23 for 186 yards for the Salukis (2-1, 1-0). Southern’s Deji Karim rushed for 127 yards on 23 carries, including a 23-yard touchdown in the third quarter. Kyle Dougherty added a field goal. D.J. McNorton scored on a 1-yard run for North Dakota State (1-3, 0-1), and Gerry Ebel scored the other touchdown on a blocked field-goal return. Pat Paschall led all rushers with 150 yards on 28 carries for North Dakota State.

South Dakota State 38, Illinois State 17

NORMAL, Ill. — Kyle Minett ran for 152 yards and two touchdowns and Ryan Crawford threw for two scores and ran for another as South Dakota State rolled. Minett’s 11-yard run midway through the second quarter gave the Jackrabbits (3-0, 2-0) their first lead at 14-10 in the MVFC game. With 52 seconds remaining until halftime, Crawford hooked up with Glen Fox for a 62-yard touchdown and a 21-10 margin.

Associated Press