(Crookston, Minn.)-  The University of Minnesota, Crookston Football team hosted Upper Iowa University today in an NSIC match-up. The Peacocks took a 17-14 lead into the half but used an on-side kick to open the third quarter and three fumble recoveries to put points on the board and secure the 31-21 conference victory.
 
Upper Iowa opened the scoring at the 8:23 mark of the first quarter when Chris Smith scored on a two yard rush to close out a 13 play, 64 yard drive that took 6:37 off the clock. Minnesota, Crookston responded quickly with a 2:29 drive that was capped off by an A.J. Barge (QB, 6-3, 190, Fr., Carrollton, Ga.) nine yard rush to close out a 47 yard drive. The Golden Eagles took the lead at the 3:50 mark of the first quarter when Richard Haley (RB, 6-0, 205, Jr., Detroit, Mich.) took the first carry from scrimmage 78 yards for a 14-7 lead in just 12 seconds. UIU struck back 56 seconds into the second quarter with a 60 yard pass from Cole Jaeschke to Jessie Hubbard that took just 14 seconds. Ten minutes later, kicker Steven Sandoval hit a 35 yard field goal to put the Peacocks up 17-14 entering the half.
 
Upper Iowa opened the second half with a perfectly timed and placed on-side kick that was recovered by the Peacocks. UIU took the momentum and drove 56 yards to set up a Smith 11 yard touchdown run to go up 24-14. On the next UMC possession, Barge completed a four yard pass to Eric Fiege (WR, 5-9, 175, Jr., San Diego, Calif.) who was stripped by UIU's DaeJohn Love and Keaton Martin jumped on the ball to give possession back to the Peacocks. Upper Iowa capitalized again driving 60 yards and finishing with another Chris Smith touchdown from six yards out to go up 31-14. The Golden Eagles struck again on an eight play, 52 yard drive that was capped off by a 10 yard touchdown pass from Barge to Fiege with just 50 seconds left in the third quarter. Neither team would find the endzone in the fourth quarter as UIU would go on to take the 31-21 victory.
 
The Golden Eagles were led by Haley who rushed 24 times for 143 yards and one touchdown. He had a long rush of 78 yards good for seventh place in UMC history and averaged six yards/rush. It's the fifth time this season that Haley has rushed for more than 100 yards in a contest. Barge completed 10 passes for 66 yards and one touchdown. Fiege and Jordan Lecher (WR, 6-3, 195, Jr., Litchfield, Minn.) were Barges top receivers catching three passes each. The Golden Eagle offense tallied 327 yards of total offense. It's the fourth game this season that UMC has recorded more than 300 yards of total offense in a game. The Golden Eagle defense was led by Brody Davidson (LB, 6-1, 210, Fr., Crookston, Minn.) who tallied 11 tackles (2 solo, 9 assisted) in the contest including a half of a tackle for a loss of one yard.
 
Richard Haley (RB, 6-0, 205, Jr., Detroit, Mich.) who rushed for 179 yards on 26 carries and averaged 6.9 yards/rush. It is the fourth time this season Haley has rushed for more than 150 yards in a game. Quarterback A.J. Barge (QB, 6-3, 190, Fr., Carrollton, Ga.) completed eight passes for 35 yards. Eric Fiege (WR, 5-9, 175, Jr., San Diego, Calif.) caught three passes for 31 yards with a long of 17 yards. Cody Hendrickson (DB, 5-10, 185, Sr., Wright, Minn.) led the Golden Eagle defense with 10 total tackles (7 unassisted, 3 assisted). Chris Devaughn (DB, 6-1, 170, So., Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) had the only interception of the game on a sensational over the shoulder grab that got the UMC offense back on the field.
 
UIU was led by Cole Jaeschke who completed 16 passes for 270 yards and one touchdown. Chris Smith rushed 19 times for 64 yards and three touchdowns. Shay Gutman led all receivers with five catches for 112 yards. On defense, Ethan Douglas recorded a game-high 13 tackles and 2.5 tackles for a loss of five yards and recovered one fumble.
 
Minnesota, Crookston is now 1-5 on the season and 0-5 in the NSIC. Upper Iowa moves to 3-3 on the season and 2-3 in NSIC play. The Golden Eagles travel to Northern State University next Saturday to take on the Wolves. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. from Aberdeen, S.D.
 
For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics website at www.goldeneaglesports.com.
 
Follow the Golden Eagles on Facebook at Golden Eagle Sports and on Twitter at @UMCAthletics.
 
The University of Minnesota, Crookston is an NCAA Division II Institution and a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). The Golden Eagle Equestrian team is a member of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA).
 
 
-30-