CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) — Michael Schmadeke kicked a 24-yard field goal with 5:37 remaining in the game and then Deiondre’ Hall returned an interception 16 yards for a touchdown to give Northern Iowa a 38-35 win over Eastern Washington in a battle of FCS powers on Saturday.
Hall’s pick of Jordan West came on the first official play after the field goal — and after a holding penalty wiped out West’s 66 yard run to the Northern Iowa 17. The Eagles (0-2) quickly answered with a touchdown but the Panthers got a good kick return from Tyvis Smith and kept the ball for the final 3:20.
Aaron Bailey, who threw for two touchdowns, and Darrian Miller ran for 134 and 112 yards, respectively, for Northern Iowa (1-1). That offset 526 passing yards for Eastern Washington quarterbacks West and Reilly Hennessey, who combined to go 37 of 47.
Eastern’s Nic Sblendorio had career-highs of 10 receptions and 158 yards while All-American Cooper Kupp had 9 for 179 and two touchdowns before sitting out the second half with a hip pointer.