UMD football takes down upper Iowa 33-21 for first win of the season

Written by Austin Rush | Archived Nov. 10, 2020

The University of Minnesota Duluth football team overcame a four-point deficit heading into the final quarter to defeat the University of Upper Iowa 33-21 this afternoon to capture its first win of the 2017 season.

Sophomore quarterback Ben Everhart led the charge after starting quarterback Mike Rybarcyzk and John Larson both went down with injuries. Everhart guided the Bulldogs to the end zone twice in the fourth quarter, rushing for a touchdown and pitching it to freshman running back Austin Sylvester on a QB option.

Everhart ended his noble day going 5 for 7 for 58 yards with Sylvester accumulating 80 yards and a touchdown on 15 rushes. Junior running back Anthony Wood also ran for 84 yards on 13 carries for the day.

Trailing the Peacocks 21-20, the turning point of the game came when the Bulldogs blocked an Upper Iowa punt with 13:40 remaining in the game. UMD would regain possession with tremendous field position, taking over from the Peacock 20-yard line. Two plays later, Everhart scampered into the end zone on an 11-yard rush giving the Bulldogs the lead once again at 26-21 with 12:17 to go.

UMD sealed the victory when they traveled 80 yards in 14 plays on a drive that lasted 7:18, ending with Sylvester’s second touchdown of the day. The Bulldogs rushed for 249 yards today which is a step up from the -19 yards they were held to just nine days ago. The Bulldogs racked up 447 yards of total offense in the contest while giving up 327 to Upper Iowa.

The Bulldogs return home next Saturday, September 16, to face Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference rival Minnesota-State Mankato.

Photo courtesy of Howie Thompson(Upper Iowa)