Northern Iowa gave up a touchdown with 1:05 to go in the game and then missed a 51-yard field goal with six seconds left as the Panthers failed in their bid to upset Iowa State 28-27. Panther kicker Brian Wingert had made 19 straight field goals, but said he knew immeidately the game-winner against I-S-U was going right. Wingert says that’s the position ever kicker wants to be in.Wingert was emmotional, saying his team played so hard and deserved to win, and said he appologized to his teammates and the U-N-I fans.
U-N-I defensive back Dre Dokes had and interception for a touchdown that gave U-N-I a 14-7 lead in the second quarter. A lead they didn’t give up until the Cyclones’ last drive. But Dokes says the defense wasn’t tired, he says the Cyclones just found some holes in the defense.
Dokes says it’s tough to lose a game they led most of the way, as he says he’s waited a long time to play I-S-U.
Cyclone coach Dan McCarney credited the Panthers with playing a great game. “This was a really impressive U-N-I team that we beat out there tonight. I was extremely proud of our kids to come away with a victory. We made some crtical errors tonight. I challenged our kids at halftime and we were fortunate to come back and win the game,” McCarney said.
Iowa State moves to 3-2 overall and returns to Big 12 play next Saturday in another night game against Nebraska. U-N-I is 2-2 and hosts Missouri State Saturday in the UNI-Dome.