2019 NCAA FCS Championship First Round - San Diego vs Northern Iowa

the University of Northern Iowa takes the field as it opens the FCS playoffs with a big old field indoor game against the University of San Diego playoff time has arrived in Cedar Falls Iowa [Music] greetings from Cedar Falls Iowa and welcome to the playoffs first ever meeting and it's a big one between the Toreros of San Diego and the Panthers of Northern Iowa 24 teams in the FCS playoffs this year as was last the winner of this games of Brookings South Dakota next week to face 7th seeded South Dakota State everyone Jim barber and the Marshall football quarterback hall-of-famer John Gregory coaches a lot of times talk about respect John mark Farley says well it didn't bother us that we didn't get a bye to the second round even though we have a house-party waiting the great selection from the FCS committee what do you think well I think they would have liked to have the bye and if you're a coaching staff administration yes you'd like to have it but if you're a healthy player you want to play football so I'm sure they're happy to be out here today we know San Diego quarterback read Senate is healthy in fact he's a minute man and waiting for one more years this guy 50 our senior waited for four years getting his opportunity now Dale Lindsey coach says he loves his leadership never complained over those four years never talked about transferring it now because of that he's up for the Walter Payton Award where they're finally one of the top 26 in the country one of the best players for this guy's special for this football team aya Korean will McIlvain hopes to be special for the Panthers but he's a redshirt freshman the question is can he handle the heat today yeah he didn't have to wait as long to get that starting opportunity but because of the efforts this year he's a candidate for the freshman of the year so it really efficient what the football coach describes him is like a second baseman you'll see him throw from all kinds of angles they'll also develop some runs for this guy because he's got the ability to move in the pocket and at first down with his legs well said he's got a huge offensive line as well that's 76 years young too ill Lindsay opposed by Mark Farley today in his battle to try to get to round number two of the FCS playoffs once again this is Dale Lindsay of San Diego he has been in a number of professional places over 20 years 12 to be exact more on that later as he enters today's college football arena and the playoffs Mark barley 15th season as Northern Iowa head coach they are lethal John in November with a record of 59 and 11 in fact Farley's actually approaching his 19th and 20th seasons the weather outside is frightful which means inside it is delightful here's 72 degrees no wind John you check the air conditioning it seems to be us the advantage of neither team and it's actually warmer in San Diego California today great to have you with us as the Toreros will get the football first EP oin number eight michael Armstead he's returned one already for a touchdown this year back with the all-american michael bandy Matthew cook drives it to the seven Armstead on the return and he barely makes it past the 20-yard line the chance to watch sweet-scented in action for the first time today it's amazing the story you told the beginning of the broadcast and he waited so long we a start I don't know if anybody that's waited for years like yeah and he patiently did it to as we said his coach just gave him all the credit in the world now because of that he gets to lead his team into the playoffs and that's what he's waited for for the last four years and you know the NFL scouts they like him he's a talk quarterback got a great release and in fact he may need the quick game today they'll offset the pressure from Northern Iowa he'll operate from the shotgun to start the football game one clap looking to his left pass complete to bandy out a flat and a pickup before Michael is one of our impact players today Michael bandy this guy has been an all-american for a couple of years he's gonna find him all over the football team leads the team with 72 receptions over a thousand yards Ellison Smith on the defensive side he's got 18 tackles for loss this guy is gonna find himself in the backfield all day really quick off the line of scrimmage watch for Ellison Smith coming off that end how about 13 sacks 54 tackles 18 tackles for losses for big number 16 second and six to the near side of field we go not what's available in fact maybe loss on the play is 21 Jojo Binda carries he just couldn't get any kind of footing is Chris Cole Arabic makes the tackle yeah a pretty interesting matchup what we have here the defense one of the best best defenses the country right now for Northern Iowa against one of the best offenses to so defense usually wins championships we'll see how this all unfolds today but for me I think San Diego they're gonna have to throw the football if they're gonna have success today and that Panther defense already has San Diego off schedule [Applause] movement on the right side now the move with them by 63 the left tackle Aaden Valencia appeared that Allison Smith jumped first let's see offside number 16 defense five-yard penalty third out now we mentioned he's quick off the ball that time a little bit too quick off the ball is you'll see he wants to get that jump he knows it's third down in a passing situation he wants to get to that quarterback in a hurry but got a hold on couple defensive changes on third down Tim butcher in the game along with Kaden hoteling an offense averaging 47 plus points in five straight weeks facing one of the country's best defenses now on a third and two sent it to his right picked off that's gonna be a pic sex [Applause] touchdown [Applause] what a Wells number 91 from Des Moines Iowa watch Bronte wells this guy's a defensive end listed 6-3 267 pounds he looked like a linebacker out there dropping out underneath the throat to the flat I think they really fooled Reed sitted on that not expecting the defensive end expecting really to rush not drop out in a flat and 267 pounds walks it in the end zone for the touchdown what a tremendous athletic play by that defensive end Joe Frederick down to snap Nate Murphy to hold and Matthew cook on for the extra point as your Cook has been automatic at 33 attempts previous play this is the fishy 80 crew today from the Southern Conference again led by Larry Adcock replay official is James Overcash and very personable officiating crew John we bumped into them on a couple of occasions in the hotel yep see if he finds his way into the end zone here fighting and fighting I thought maybe his knee was down and now tough call here or so on we'll see how it goes look like maybe the knee was down just when the ball was just inside that one yard line it will take indisputable video evidence evidence to reverse and this officiating crew works with the replays that are provided by television well what a play by Bronte Wells and by the way for the season according to the numbers that's wells first pick that's a better look right there John what do you think yeah a tough call I'm not sure when I look at it again that isn't they never even touch the ground it looked like from the other angle it did but not sure if it was on the ground or not take a look at the right knee first never looks like it hit the ground and then the left I'm not sure that's that's an amazing balance ask for a guy that did look like a corner or safety of it how about that 267 pounds and he's just dropping out into the flat and really how about the hands he had isn't just took it in like he was a receiver if he's ruled down the ball will be at the one sure appear to be the right call Tillman self is the umpire Walter Sloan the linesman lion judges Greg is zimmerman field judge Terry trout side Judge Michael Crowley back judge Jay Neal what a start for Northern Iowa once again the combination of Frederick Murphy and kicker cook for the seventh point and if you cook continues to be perfect 34 of 34 minutes Bronte wells who's the man of the hour sir arrows get a second chance when we come back [Music] officially 34 yards on the interception return for touchdown and again his first pick of the year Bronte wells number 91 for the highlight that you'll remember for ever and ever amen yeah what a great start to his postseason and what great finish to the year had nine tackles last week which was a career high for him and good to see guys like that get a good start he's a good guy does a lot of community service out there here in a local community with the kids I'm standing straight ahead that's the first wave and we spotted at the 27 so Toreros back to work and to see if they can do a little better job on offense John were you surprised at the play call when you got the five-yard penalty on third and 2 to throw the ball in the flat instead run it it's always a tough tough throw for a quarterback to try to get a guy in the flat the first over the ball game was almost identical that bandi was able to come down with but those are tough hard throws but when you have a confidence and a guy like this in an NFL arm like Senate has you trust him to make those throws let's see if that confidence is shaken at all as they start their second drive just two minutes into the football game they bunched the receivers down to the left of the quarterback and a four receiver set and not a big surprise even though Alex Smith only made the catch she did not have blockers ahead of him and he fairly got a yard now you get a first look that time of San Diego what they like to do with motion they went quads to the wide side of the field tried to get the ball out to their wide receiver but there are there is speed all over this Northern Iowa defense and that's the thing I think the San Diego team has not used to seen in their conference all year facing a defense like this in the type of speed that Northern Iowa has to team to place in the Pioneer League with teams like Stetson and Jacksonville mutlar and Valparaiso out in the state of Indiana that's it some of the speed right there and just nowhere for Jojo Penta to go he got swallowed up Allison Smith was there 16 but he wasn't the only one he got some big-time help was well from his linebackers as we took like a 21 Christian Jenkin from the secondary to make the snap to yeah you're looking at the top to tax was there Jake and number two tackler on this football team at 91 tackles coming into this ball game and second on the team he this guy is an athlete that could run he was a wide receiver here he was a running back and they moved him to the safety position and it's really paid off now they go three receivers are trips to the far side of the field they need to pick up ten line to make is the 37th most them Stetson sacked [Applause] 91 Bronte Wales is putting together a highlight film here John Wow Welles getting in the backfield and Christian Boyd the defensive tackle both guys finding themselves at the quarterback here give credit to the defensive secondary really nowhere to go with the football for Reed Senate and you can't hold on to the football too long as this team is going to come after you this defense has got thirty four sacks on the year make it 36 now and a kolchin back to back to Blount rather after the loss of four bringing us to fourth and 14 Savior Williams will let it bounce playing it cautiously as the ball rolls dead at the 25-yard line let's take a timeout 10:39 an opening quarter Panthers already with a pick six and now with the football and good momma the Central Connecticut State Austin Peay Illinois State all with Leeds on their games today in the FCS playoffs first round will McIlvain the redshirt freshman from his own 29 with time and now to run a football a dual threat quarterback is very close to the sticks and a pickup of nine one concern from the defensive side of the ball for San Diego and Bobby Jay was the fact that you can't give up on a play on McIlvain when you think it's over when he's running the ball it isn't now 340 yards rushing on the year but what makes him dangerous his ability to move in the pocket you can see his numbers so efficient all year 20 touchdowns just six interceptions and of those six three of them came against South Dakota State on the road hoping for a rematch next week got the first time their drummer Alan who's probably their most physical and downhill player as he is able to pick up the first down he got a like Alan he stands 510 and 210 and he just knocked people over so many injuries on this football team but Trevor Alan he's fighting through it he's got a bad shoulder bum shoulder but you'll see him in here he'll come off the field every once in a while on the defensive side David Tolbert this guy can get to the footballs gots five passes broken up this year including six interceptions one for a touchdown that's a secondary that has 19 picks this year while the best numbers in the country they stretch that play out for a small gain on first down pending spot actually good for four to be second and six as Alan carries the football I thought coming into this football game Northern Iowa would do this and try to establish the run they've got such an ass eyes advantage up front when you look at their tackles six foot nine 321 pounds 6 7 321 on both ends and bookends and those tackles they're loaded with size and Dale Lindsey the head coach for San Diego said we just don't see that type the size although pressure coming quarterback stepping up throwing at bad at the line of scrimmage look like 97 kappapa got his hands on it or was it 14 which would have been Jacob Bergstrom Bergstrom good-looking defensive end okay I love the defensive ends in this football game Bergstrom 6-3 to 59 he's got 11 quarterback hurries this time he's not on the rush it almost like he was covering a guy across the middle he dropped back onto the defensive end position and just spied was able to be in the right spot at the right time to knock that down one of his asset says he gets pressure on the quarterback and OTD ever there third and six pressure from the right side quick throw to the flat ball caught first down in the san diego territory 45 yard line tough catch by suny lane and that's his 10th of the year how about the timing of this throw by wil McIlvain watch he gets rid of this thing at least three or four yards before Sooni Lane came out of his cut averaging over 14 yards a catch gets both hands on the football and comes down inbounds and SUNY Lane has stepped up for this book football team when isaiah west and the starting wide receiver and all everything for this team has been out of the line but they're bringing the football back to the 45 yard line so apparently it is ruled incomplete so as a result they may have been out of bounds and leave us - Zack Kirby punic right now four Panthers so that's a break for San Diego as Northern Iowa was thready to get into torero territory take a second look at that catch on our return almost got to the putter low kick and bouncing inside the 30 good pressure from the line of scrimmage by San Diego 849 opening quarter 34 yard int for Bronte wells the difference we thought Northern Iowa had the completion for the first down but upon second look here the officials rule that his hands weren't underneath the ball didn't possess the ball and he landed on top of it therefore they called it incomplete and San Diego now has the ball after the punt and for the Toreros third possession already in the first quarter Charlie 7 nothing little screen pass out to the flat I'm much safer pass that went for the Pick six moments ago Emilio Martinez with a catch considered to be the most complete back of his team but he's been banged up a little bit jump yeah he's a good route runner they say and they just you have so many weapons on this office you'll see guys line up in the tight end position they'll split out wide and they've got guys that can do that then their lineup pull backs in the backfield they'll sprit them to the outside and all of these guys have really good hands and so far San Diego flowing the short pass is trying to move the chains really have haven't pushed the ball down the field at all yes trying to get this Drive on point trailing 7 nothing in the football game to back set out of the sets it's gonna throw long and broken up at the 15-yard line [Applause] Christian jegan with a super play he's the senior on a Shawnee Kansas and presents a defensive problem right here has sent it to the nice vacant was shooting it down the field yeah he had a tight end short but he wanted to go deep I think he waited hesitated just a second Michael Pandi we talked about his speed and his ability over 1,100 yards catching this year and just at the last second Jamie gets his hands up in and deflects that ball away but you can see the arm strike that Senate passes he threw that thing on a long third down great Senate forced out throwing safe pass first down easy catch for our Alex but on his second of the game and the drive continues now from the 43 moving the pocket reeks in it feels the pressure that time enrolled to the left we talked about Mackel Baynes ability to move in the pocket Senate has that too let's say the NFL scouts like him because he's got a great pocket presence and you saw his arm on that last deep throw down the field said it is top 10 John in seven different NCAA categories back to the two back set on first down not a surprise that Terrell's want to establish one and that's a solid run on first down by Jojo bend over the last four games he's been white-hot boy he has over those last four games as you mentioned 577 yards on 66 67 rushes averaging eight point six yards that carry over those last four games and you could see him finishing that run very physical not a huge guy at 205 pounds before he kept those legs churning graduate senior Providence Rhode Island solid pickup on first down of six now bandi in motion jet sweep to the outside trying to make a move and he's going to be just a yard short as Omar brown who has among other things five picks this year able to make the open field tackle to be third and one boy I got a nice block that time that was able to spring him for an extra three or four yards here thought there was a chance for a bigger play but the athletic Omar Brown that you said out there to make the tackle Marv Brown that does it defensively through the air but he'll come in there and hit you to fourth on the team in tackles with 69 this year I doubt we'll see any passes on the plateau I said it here third and one Armstead emotion quarterback steak well-done mix up the necessary yard and then some for the fifth year senior who grew up just a couple hours away in Johnston Iowa now you can see a really good play call here had an opening could have gotten a couple more yards he just found following his big center Trent Forrester and his left guard is Nolan Bassanio now for the 46 in the first time into Northern Iowa territory first round FCS playoffs much at stake play accents in it wasn't an easy catch there for 17th but don't but he did get his hands on the ball and its quality gain of six now you can see his quarterback reads in it comes right over to him after the play another one saying hey great job throw that out in front of him he's got a chance to turn it up the field he threw it off of his back hip forced him to turn back into the line back there's not always an easy thing to do but he comes up with another catch he's third on the day that's a replay indicative of the fact that receivers always bail out quarterback so to stay away from the linebackers when you can absolutely 5 plus minutes fast moving first quarter to tight end set they'll run the football nothing available loss of a yard you mentioned the Northern Iowa speed the fact that they've got a number guys and get up there quickly that's Bryce later from the linebacker spot there and and speed is something that San Diego is gonna have to adjust to yeah and I'll tell you what with flater out there you can understand 103 tackles on the year leads this team led the team last week in 12 tackles he is gonna be around the football all night long what do you like here a third and five now I I like those big tight ends that they have and they spread these guys out so right now three defenders back deep you can see for Northern Iowa look for somebody to hook up over the ball possible they bring four i wouldnt airlie picked off nearly had another X X this time Savior Williams who has the assignment among other things are defending Michael bandy there that could have been another huge mistake in the part of San Diego's quarterback watch the reaction by Williams here he recognizes this undercuts it and that's that would have been another pick six for sure he's got hat tenth pass breakups coming into this football game make that 11 for him on the year a guy that was a free safety but they moved over to the cornerback position he's really kind of taking that on and he leads this team both from a vocal standpoint and a leadership standpoint good punt I am for and affair Katz called inside at the 15 with four minutes and change for many and the first quarter Jim barber John Gregory winner this game gets the second round of the FCS playoffs and to the round of 16 and if Northern Iowa wins it gets a rematch at South Dakota State after losing a couple weeks ago by a bunch while we play almost first quarter the underdog is San Diego what do you think about the play right now of the Toreros yeah it almost felt like they settled down a little but that was a really good drive for them pick up a few first downs move the chains give their defense a little bit of a rest and now things have settled down for them I think the zone read quarterback keep and up to the 17 yard line is will McIlvain McIlvain was named the starter before the season should take a look at Mahinda kappapa out of Fairfield California with the tackle and McIlvain has before nicely as this team has gotten hot at the right time [Music] to the flap that's good now first down a lot of questions as to whether Isiah Weston could play today he was fifty-fifty I guess you could make that 100 zero yeah nice to see that that time they throw the ball behind the line of scrimmage and they had big Nick Ellis the right guard coming out there he was beyond the line of scrimmage when that throw was released but he can do that because that catch was behind the line of scrimmage and nice to see Isiah Weston in that lineup you mentioned Nick out of six for 325 up front play-action McIlvain a lot of time got man coverage to Weston can't get it defended by Cassius Johnson and will bring up second down well if you're San Diego's defense and Bobby J the defensive coordinator you're gonna think encircle Isiah Weston where is he when that huddle breaks and they found him this time great job defensively here preventing any deep throat I say a weston averages over 25 yards a catch so you've got to know where he is when that huddle breaks a big vertical threat who's been battling a lower body injury didn't practice most of the week seems to be okay so far three minutes even first quarter 7-nothing Northern Iowa out to the flat while caught will bring us to a third down third in three nice easy catch and throw for McIlvain they're fighting Logan wolf was bringing a bit of a dilemma to the coaches I understand you know this guy is just a true freshman he's played in two football games and coaches now have to start thinking are they gonna redshirt guys or not when do they play him how many games you have left even this guy is so talented he's a basketball player he's just an athlete so hitting him in the lineup today early to to get him some touches he's a hometown kid Cedar Falls Iowa third and three overthrow there so San Diego's defense hold serve [Music] Michael Hawkins cornerback out there right on that slant route really nowhere to go and backward McIlvain really let that thing fly would have been tough to come down with it even with a Seaver out there both of these quarterbacks really strong arms and it showed on that throw so we're back to Zack Kirby kickin again and receiving number eight Michael Armstead as we mention first chapter between these two teams haven't seen each other yet on the football field Pioneer League against the Missouri Valley Football Conference fair catch 35 yard line [Music] so San Diego back on offense for its for possession of the first quarter here that the first three drives John in and Riley rightly so the last drive could have been another pick six for quarterbacks in it because that one was in Savior Williams wheelhouse yeah he did he got away with that but you can see nine plays on that drive gave their defense a little rest and I think gave this offense a little bit of confidence to official spot the thirty six empty backfield and a four receiver sent Senate forced out to the near sidelines how much time for read Senate to do anything with a wall here we mentioned earlier and if you're just joining us this is the biggest play of the game by the backup defensive end want a Wells who jumped the route and was on his way for a touchdown Bronte was lined up when I originally saw Don I thought he was on the defensive end position he was actually lined up like a backer to the outside so he was able to slip underneath out a little bit I thought originally that he came off the line of scrimmage to get out there and try to cover the flat to the outside Joe Joe Pindos finding nothing available so far Binda on the season averages over seven yards per carry but it's going to be tough sliding today's got to deal with Bryce later 22 and of course he's not the only one there's several guys something like Christian Jake in 21 I mean he's just not got any room to move Ian's now this the defensive backs do such a great job of filling on that running play but now they have to be careful here third and long situations San Diego has to be careful because here's where northern out loves to come off the end so good at getting pressure sometimes without they'll bring four drop seven still got some pressure on Senate mister that interesting John they went with a usual Rush and scented still then how much time he had to throw underneath yeah I think he's got a little bit of Happy Feet right now I don't necessarily know if he needed to move out of the pocket this time he's done that a few times today so far there's got to kind of sit there and maybe let that offensive line protect you so have some confidence in them but easy to say when you're up here versus a guy that's down there feeling that pressure on the field and feeling that rush you're always second-guessing quarterbacks anyway I don't second-guess and like I know what the feel of that rush feels like and I know why you want to get on there play my condo number one defense after the play my condo number eight on the offense that is number eight and number ones first those fouls all set fourth down from you and I that's on Roosevelt Lawrence at the corner spot and number eight Michael Armstead the wide receiver for San Diego often times we see of setting unsportsmanlike calls is that the proper call because they can't always get a handle on who started it who finished yeah tough to say you can see battle corner backs and wide receivers are going to battle all the time and you can see San Diego yeah I don't think the receiver Armstead that time did anything wrong beside drive the defender into his own mansion Laurence didn't like it you know I think he could have been the only one that got that penalty tanner Cole Jen will kick line of scrimmage the 38 as we are running late here in the first quarter 7 nothing game a favor of the home team from the unit ohm in Cedar Falls Iowa Xavier Wham's fair catch 40 ticks on the clock remaining and the first quarter college football if you like the FBS today Ohio State leads Michigan 42 to 16 and the beat goes on between the Buckeyes and the Wolverines Wow now let's see if Northern Iowa can get something going offensively here the one thing we haven't talked about is the injuries that this offense has faced all year long especially at the tight end position where they've lost three guys four guys actually so they're actually using a offensive tackle today in a tight end position at times the head coach Mark Farley told us run our fifth tight end and our fourth tailback I said if you ever seen the year like this and you're 19 seasons he said no I have not he's made some good adjustments McIlvain st. that's dropped catchable football by Jalen James will be second and 10 one of the things that Farley told us too is that because this team has adapted something from a good friend bill Schneider was the great coach at Kansas State over the years of practicing the ones and the twos equal leaves around the season the backups get plenty of reps and when they step in they're ready yeah good point Jim and what exactly what he said he said if we give these guys and a lot of coaches don't do that more or less sometimes it's 82 percent first to its strength and 20 percent second but he's a 50/50 guy and that allows everybody to get an opportunity on that practice field couple of broken tackles there and apparently enough on the 10-yard game by 25 Trevor Allen thought they had a chance to get him in the backfield here and picked up a good block that's the point offensive lineman there was able to kick him out and allow Trevor Allen to make his way up inside he's a good looking runner a guy that can find a hole quickly but that has a real knack of bouncing it to the outside now you met you the old line at the guard spots Jackson Scott Brown and Nicholas the tackles are Trump or penning and Spencer proud of the man over the football Mason Nissen time running out first quarter and that will do it rocked a Wells a 34 yard a pick six early in the game is the difference in this game san diego's headed up 1,000 miles east so far not to its liking on to the second quarter here on ESPN [Music] [Music] John and I will be at the electric Fargodome next week for North Dakota State in either North Dakota or Nicholls bison perfect 12 and OU have won seven of the last eight FCS championships for the top eight seeds are from the Big Sky at Austin Peay the middle of a delay right now second quarter its first playoff appearance leading firm in 73 Monmouth is on top of Holy Cross late third 3713 it's Albany 13 Central Connecticut 7 in the 3rd some of the FCS playoff action for the first time today and you and I with the shirts that say underdogs even though they're the favored to win the game today on offense it all came from a house party that the head coach had on Sunday anticipating a bye to the second round at a home game despite the fact the team finished second John in the Missouri Valley Football Conference had a great brought at the end of year it didn't happen play with a chip on her shoulder yeah yeah what he said was our players did what they were supposed to do and did what they were asked to do and that's the hard part about it and you know you put that schedule that they had together this year one of the toughest in the country and they thought that they were going to get that first round by McIlvain in trouble off the fumble loss of for now third and 11 and nowhere to go Jacob Bergstrom was out there to make sure he didn't go anywhere you got to put all that behind your whether or not you should get a buy or not get a buy you better focus on the team that's coming into play here at the San Diego after that first interception really has played a pretty good football game to this at this point really holding the football keeping it away from Northern Iowa's offense trying to pick up some first downs and things here and this defense has been stout so far John don't we have a tendency to see more stuff or fumbles by a quarterback on that jet sweep sometimes it appears the runner from the jet position is we're gonna have personal three up penalty here then a lot of times the runner coming in on up that jet sweep almost runs right into the football and I think sometimes that bothers the quarterback Aaron Graham is the guilty party there yeah it's all about timing and sometimes if the center is just a hair late or a little bit too early when the quarterbacks not ready for it it can disrupt things in the backfield now I think Northern Iowa may be having a little bit of problem with the speed I think size-wise Northern Iowa certainly has that advantage but right now when you look at the defense for San Diego they're getting to the football in a hurry third in a punch man coverage got a man Weston lays out four couldn't make the catch I say a Weston did all he could on that one and stretching out but it was defended well Michael Hawkins number two was back there he's the junior right corner out of San Diego while he gave his up gave his receiver an opportunity here again under pressure he lost it up if he's not under that much pressure maybe he gives him a little bit of an opportunity to get that ball to the outside because his receiver had him beat Weston with good speed to the outside but again covered well by Michael Hawkins this should be the best field position for the Toreros after the punt - scrimmage at 23 and it's a booming fair catch mean called for by Armstead back to the 25 that's a pun of 52 and no return [Music] san Diego's made-up non-scholarship players this year this team has traveled some twenty four thousand miles to play football compared to Northern Iowa five thousand their head coaches Dale Lindsey said it costs roughly seventy thousand dollars to attend San Diego on a yearly basis that's tuition a lot of credit to the administration of San Diego allowing because of the length of travel some Thursday ventures is supposed to leaving on Friday and playing on Saturday and yet the kids know exactly what they have signed up for you know and the fact is that travel doesn't seem to affect their success Lindsey was telling us that they actually [Music] taking their laptops and all necessary study information on board for the three-day travel get the work done he's had somewhat success 25,000 miles this year think about over his career how many miles he's God I'd like to see somebody add that up I say we don't speak the same language or listen to the same type of music but what these kids know out of San Diego is that they you know these coaches care for them and love them and want them to get that degree I mean the guy 76 he's not into hip-hop or rap or anything you know so the wild wild west country surprised brings us to a third at five so far the Toreros are holding their own trailing seven nothing this game could have gotten out of hand with a big six followed by a potential another interception for touchdown didn't happen so remain so a one score game this has been a dangerous down the day though for quarterback read Senate especially those passes out in the flat is the 35 [Applause] again just pressuring before nearly got to the quarterback caught and intercepted Omar Brown it's what he does folks six pick in the year [Music] Jim he said at six Pick of the Year this guy is a true freshman you know coming out of high school he was the highest rated quarterback in the state of Minnesota surprised that a lot of teams other teams didn't go after him and they stayed on him they got on him early stayed with the recruiting process and they couldn't have been happier that Omar Brown is in this starting lineup but I go back to Xavier Williams moving and giving him that opportunity to play and that's what teams do and that's why they're winning because of this guy and coach says that Omar Brown cares as much as anybody as he's seen as a freshman the field gets flipped aus Northern Iowa has the ball good field position you asked Farley during the week Bob Brown and the rest of the team particularly Browns you said well did you steal them from Minnesota yes we did steal I just don't know and you know you're the number one rated guy coming out of a state at the cornerback position but what a great five for Northern Iowa and a great job recruiting him and give credit to the staff for what they're doing and the 19 years experience that this guy has at this program you can recruit a lot of good players as you could say pj fleck is rowing the boat without him at a big game this afternoon against Wisconsin had a chance to get to Indianapolis to play for the Big Ten title the next week against Ohio State after the carry by Sam snai is a redshirt freshman from Dubuque to come to a third and and seven Oh 4 3 so far northern I are on third down today McIlvain throwing the football just 2 of 8 on the day on the season it's been difficult 3rd down just 35% completions for this Panther team here comes pressure in the Blitz McIlvain forced out three players chasing him got rid of the ball incomplete that'll be four thousand how about to eat at San Diego front on 3rd down headed up by the defensive coordinator Bobby J they had three guys chasing them that time and what a great job defensively and aggressive defense coming out to the quarterback here trying to pressure the freshman in his first playoff game and they do and nice job defensively if they get off the ball again and that's the thing a coach Farley said to us earlier in the week that this San Diego team not real familiar with the buddy what he does know that they're winning and they know how to win and they've got a lot of confidence I think he said confidence four or five times to us yeah and they'll show a lot of formations on offense it's turned into a defense again at a plenty game that one is shanked and will go out of bounds just past the 30 competitive football game here four and a half minutes into the second quarter when play resumes San Diego has the football trailing in the game 7 nothing read Senate played football two hours just down the road this is what he looked like in his prep days just 120 miles from here and we asked mark Farley did he have an opportunity to recruit him he said that was a year that we had a good freshman class at quarterback there were so many guys out there it was one that we didn't recruit at the time yeah and the round activity nothing available Alex Fidel carry the football in Tim butcher gets his name call for the first time today he had missed four games due to a foot injury doesn't look like a foot is bothering him now now boy these guys up front for Northern Iowa just so active and pressuring the quarterback as you can see sent its numbers on the day 8 of 13 just 30 yards in those two interceptions he's lucky right now he doesn't have three in the scores 14 nothing because almost had that pick six got to be careful with the football we have not had an offensive touchdown today [Music] play-action pressure set it in trouble nice catch out of the backfield and it turns what could have been a rough play into a game by Emilio Martinez and John mentioned the sure-handed receiver pretty sure handed there's he carries the football after the catch to the 38 you don't want to feel this pressure if you're a quarterback out there brontë wells again in full speed after the quarterback and how about that catch out of the backfield all I obtain is with the was a huge play to make this manageable here on third down third down spent a pretty good third down for San Diego this year over 51% but today just two of seven under 30% that surprising it's a playoff game those numbers change pressure for the left side and a nice job by Senate recognizing it caring for the first down up to the 44 to make up of six why sometimes when you're a quarterback you just see a flash of a different color and this time you can see on his right side watch him recognize he sees the guy here it needs to step up in the pocket and all he has to do is pick up four yards he does that Falls gets the first down and moves the chains effectively first downs have three apiece and a defensive minded game so far football at the 44 good to have you with us here on ESPN my formation backfill we've seen a couple of times Senate play action he's got a man down the field and another intersection third of the game for Northern Iowa for the secondary is just on them so far Omar brown his second pick and for the season is seven well we talked about all the recruiting possibilities and what people miss but Northern Iowa's sure glad to have this guy as he goes up and picks it off here but we had a flag on the play now and that interception will be negated and a 15-yard penalty coming up that's going to move the football all the way into Northern Iowa territory at the 41 what a huge break for San Diego I don't know if the quarterback got hit after the play and it be roughing the passer we'll try to get a beat on it but this is a potential game changer I never saw the flag at all as we were describing Omar Brown ability to go up as a defender and play like a wide receiver and come down with the football so back to the i-formation and now for the 41 of the Panthers late handoff Martinez maybe a yard scoot off left tackle that much was available there me deals not a big kid but we mentioned that he is sure handed complete back battling injuries is pretty well today he has seen enough of this secondary left my Christian jaqen and others as we continue to have a seven nothing game halfway through the second quarter you surprised by I am I beam offensively he wondered how will this matchup was going to be San Diego's offense so good against a very good defense but surprise Northern Iowa hasn't been able to do anything offensively off the fake Senate looking down a field didn't see anything and slid safely like he was sliding into third base won't get credit for the couple extra yards is where the slide first begins and the plan of the football is at 40 looked like there were a couple white shirts open immediately but then quickly covered by the purple shirts and the defenders of No in Iowa nice job by Center recognizing that not throwing the ball in the coverage and picking up just a yard see what offensive coordinator Christian Taylor dials up third and tight like lock into a bubble screen a few yards available but Alex put down his fourth catch you can make first out happens so now you got a fourth down from the 35-yard line there'd be a 52-yard field goal attempt if they decide to go fourth they could hunt the ball away and right now it appears with Tanner Cole Schwindt coming the game unless Cole Jones got the bigger leg and in fact he does are gonna attempt a field goal here so Cole Schwindt with a better leg and the comparison with brandon eckert least they're lining up for one will attempt it from 52 and the right hash oh good good feel position coming up for the Panthers now we'll get the football and still ahead by one score seven nothing back at the unit dome here in Cedar Falls of the faithful on hand students have been out of school with a Thanksgiving break back in attendance on Monday Northern Iowa back to work from its own 35 McIlvain to the nearside easy pass and catch for Jalen James his second catch of the game this is 7 nothing score brontë wells on the defense side of ball penalty on the play the 34 yard pick and score as Methodist the difference-maker holding offense number 74 it's a 10-yard penalty from the previous spot 1st down Jackson's Scott Brown considered to be the glue of this ole iana for Northern Iowa he shakes his head in disgust said you're not supposed to pick on me I'm a four-year starter in this program been here a long time set up with that I know how to hide myself in here and not let people see me holding first and 20 San Diego got the football to start the game that means Northern Iowa will get the ball when we begin the second half still five and a half minutes away from that McIlvain looking to his right throwing to his right well nice broken tackles by SUNY Lane we thought had a first down reception back in the first quarter this one is definite and he's able to pick up solid yards here making the first defender not a miss on it arm tackle at least tried to get of it after contact there a nice job so far looks like on this series Northern Iowa decide now okay well sort of quick throws to the outside something we have not seen from this offense today timeout situation all three timeouts remaining for both teams good pickup on first down after the penalty McIlvain lots of time that's West and he's got it lots of concern as to whether number he can go today oh he's going alright yeah he's going almost gone that time too as Isaiah Weston finally gets behind the defenders there we mentioned averaging over 25 yards of catch and here's why because he can extend that defense in a nice throw is McIlvain just drops it in there over the top for the huge game good for 52 yards anthers in the red zone where they've been terrific this year 31 of 35 converting at 89% it's at the top 20 in the country Trevor Allen on first down for maybe three interesting series Jim is you looked at what Northern Iowa did we said two quick throws to the outside then they go max protection with everybody and go deep kind of setting up the defense saying okay maybe that's a game plan well we'll walk up a little bit and if you walk up on them Isiah Weston can keep here he still had time to go in this first half quarterback keep all loose loose cabinets the Toreros have got it unforced error and a big one look at the disgust on the face of will McElveen a monster played by jacob burke strowman as the ball just popped loose at the quarterbacks hands and we'll McIlvain well I guess actually got stuck he got in got his head on the football that time had him coughing up this is a team that doesn't lose a whole lot of fun was just eight fumbles all year long coming into this football game and they turn it over there and you can see McIlvain and his frustration is he knew you cannot give the ball up in the red zone down there now let's give credit to number 50 the will linebacker Kyle Bilchik who got the hint it's been finding an ankle difficulty it's a big turnover and a big swing potentially in the game first down a Jojo been down it's a positive yards all three timeouts still banked by the Toreros as we get down to 320 for the first half at half-time we'll take a look at what goes on inside the pile this time we can say John literally it's a great looking feature on celebrations and fumble recoveries any times you think the ball changes hands sometimes on a fumble when there are eight or nine guys diving it's there's a lot going on down there if you've got a hold of it you better hold on tight [Music] under three first half dangerous past there caught flag on the play it's a first down to the 25 do we have a facemask coming up I think we may get a pass interference call when he was able to come down with the football catch made by 44 Zak Nelson we saw him warming up today with Dalton Kincaid right in front of our broadcast position on the field once again official Larry Adcock illegal touchies number 44 the offense was covered up went downfield and caught a pass it's a five-yard penalty from previous spot second down offensive penalty and let's show you how it happened Zak Nelson lined up in the tight end position a wide receiver was also on the line of scrimmage so he was covered up and if that's the case you're not eligible to go out to receive the ball and he did nice call by the officials recognizing that in good communication let's see now if Northern Iowa considers using its timeouts if we can make a defensive stand second and seven play-action setting up a screen and set up nicely [Applause] lots of open space there past the 50-yard line super design playing the catch and run all the way up to the 47 Emilio Martinez his third reception and this one is huge offensive coordinator Christian Taylor dials up a beautiful play call here anticipating that Northern Iowa was going to come after him and they did in San Diego waiting forward with a perfect call on a play and picked them up some huge yardage 36 yards official spot midfield first down another broken tackle I love watching Martinez run considered to be the best complete back this team has it on first down he picks up four wonder two minutes now for the first half and now it's up to the OC Christian Taylor and head coach Dale Lindsay to get a feel for how much clock they want to use here and where they want to use their timeouts [Music] Jojo Penda you spot him just close to the 40 in the first down marker ESPN's coverage of the FCS championship continues next weekend second-round action on ESPN 3 for more info go to ncaa.com that is the official final football 90 NCAA championships John and I will be the Fargodome next week as San Diego carries for the first down last time San Diego shut out in the first half you had to go back more than a year s UC Davis timeout call with a buck 17 to go San Diego football first down 38 yard line of Northern Iowa after the timeout call leaves the Toreros with two now the first half mentioned the fact it's been a long time they've gone without points did attempt a 52-yard field goal that was wide right and short previous possession good football game here late first half little trickery Senate looking down a field hasn't got anybody yet now crossed out and all that for two yards well covered defensively by the Panthers and again another well-designed play here as you can see on the quick handoff pitch back to the quarterback they wanted to get Alex Mahone down the field he was well covered so able to pick up a few yards here long play for not a whole lot but I think a really good play call to try to get somebody out of a timeout by the way it's trickeration a real word because I hear that a lot for sure it is okay second and 19107 left in the first half big series for San Diego occupy earlier here comes the pressure and he got rid of at the last minute the Dalton Kincaid I don't know he picked it up from the Blind Side somehow I ever read Sinan available able to avoid a huge sack and he he got plastered the process earlier we were talking about feeling the pressure I could feel it in your voice that time you knew it was coming you could feel that pressure and so could the quarterback to Senate throws a strike to his tight end there to pick up a few yards here and try to make it manageable on third down that was Austin Evans who came out of nowhere off the corner blitz and he nearly ain't a quarterback for lunch butts in it in his first year as a starter who has waited four seasons as a backup has really performed well in fact when you talk to coaches on both sides they have a lot of respect for a guy that would take all that time to do that Christian Taylor we mentioned is the OC and he's talking with his quarterback we asked question were you at on the field I saw I'm on the field I'm not up in the move yeah I used to be up at the booth nice how'd you like that go boring them thick yeah look at the quarterback I want to see the receivers I can understand it cuz it's all about looking in their eyes and seeing how they feel because they could tell you they feel fine buddy in the eyes of a quarterback or anybody on that field you know if they're doing okay and if they're comfortable out there and I asked him if they're a deer are the headlines type look he said well we run the ball then his coaching staff did a great job of crediting the other guys and the other staff love talking with him this week to get to the 28 Senate forced out little last-minute release to Emilio Martinez who seems to be everywhere on a field against the first end 25 and the catch and run of eight it's the little things and the little things when your tight end being split out wide Dalton Kincaid that time picked up a really good block on the defensive back that time that allowed his receiver or his running back to be able to pick up the yardage for the first down nice blocking down the field Toreros are down to one timeout remaining the shadows of the red zone some kind of pressure you and I brings an empty backfield [Music] Senate gets rid of her last minute again don't kick anal high hurdle down to the 11 yard line upper 46 showing some athleticism when the best of the country had yards per catch had 20-plus and think about this he's six five 230 pounds here at the end of this and sin it how about the effort that he wants to be able to get it to him and instead of using the big body and run him over he hurdles them interesting call out first out because now you're down to one timeout remaining you're going to use it here well do they expect to catch the defense lost the pitch out because now you can't stop the clock [Music] before the end zone might be in hand here yeah one way or the other trying to fool and they're quickly get to the line of scrimmage but Christian Boyd was ready for that and half time again will go inside the pile for a very entertaining feature from ESPN will update the FCS scoreboard worth mama then Pete Guerrero had a huge day in their opening round game and highlights we'd like to show you some offensive scores in this game but we don't have any in just one touchdown and that was my way of an interception for school so now you've got second and 10 you cannot afford you can't take a sack but you got to run up to the line of scrimmage and call a play quickly so what you call here or calls now we'll have to see how they match up defensively here I'm sure we're not going to think about maybe challenging home barber alley down on this near side of the field here haven't had success that way but they're going with five to five receivers stretching it out so here for the run at the quarterback running the football here although only 23 seconds left to go in the ballgame our first half [Applause] Sinnott has to throw it to the sidelines third down just a few seconds expire here so now it is third and ten with 18 texts to go and I'm not sure they weren't thinking about sort of a quarterback draw there when you go 5 wide like that you spread out that defense if you can get by that defensive front and they love to rush to the outside maybe they were thinking he could maybe sneak one through the middle there and pick up that touchdown if you decide to throw here and take a sack do you have enough time to get the field goal team on the field yeah well you got to do everything probably not so you're gonna have to do everything to get rid of the football here so I anticipate a quick throw and maybe they're a little bit confused right now - so we're gonna back it up no timeouts remaining so that'll be a delay a game of 5 yards which puts the football back at the 60 it's not a killer because you're still a field goal range but if you can take a shot the endzone might make it a little more difficult although a lot of offenses believe that sometimes when you're in tight at the goal line it's really difficult to throw the wall because everybody's in Ellis one of the things they haven't done today against this defense is kind of get the ball down the middle of the field they've tried to do it on a deep post pattern but now we're going three wide to this side of the field here let's see if they can find something over the middle thickness play first half [Applause] Sinnott to the end zone man coverage Mandy pushing the fender pushing and it goes as an incomplete pass with 14 seconds to go fourth down and they did have a guy over the middle he was wide open their Senate looking to the right side you can see him open it up actually had two guys in the end zone there that may have been a better opportunity to get the completion but the one thing I think sent it had on his mind there is don't take a sack get the ball away and don't throw an interception who else but Moammar Brown back to bending for the Panthers this is from 33 yards to get San Diego on the board Brandon I curds left footed kicker 73 so San Diego last shutout back in September of 2018 avoids the 0 for the first half there [Music] now I've got to be a victory here going in and halftime to be able to put some points on the board here if you can see the left footer just drill this to get some points on the board and some maybe some confidence there and you mentioned the points 40-plus points and six straight ball games 30-plus points and 14 straight football games dating back to last year now this might be a shock to the system today when the offense unable to move with the electric speed and had in the Pioneer League but I don't think it's something that wasn't anticipated because you're facing a team for the Missouri Valley Football Conference arguably the best league in FCS football it's not gonna be easy to score [Music] hey Lindsay was asked Bill McGillis T athletic record San Diego about cleats on his turf there was some concern for the players he said I don't worry about that you know just come with you bunch of guys nothing send this one poor the end zone and it will be downed Oh actually it will be returned but it's not going very far to the 10 yard line anyway to continue with the story Dale Lindsay so well you know I I played in the national football team I played at the Houston Astrodome I went with these fancy cleats they gave me come out on the turf and I felt like was a pic sliding on ice on ice for the first half of the game I went back to my seven dollar cleats at halftime I was I was fine after that so yeah cleats meets up I don't want to hear all that let's focus on football yeah you know watching him down on the field before the ball game these guys are wearing almost what they have tennis shoes on basically on this type of turf highly competitive football game here in the first half and led by Northern Iowa 73 mark Farley is the head coach the Panthers don't forget a chance to chat with him momentarily on what has turned out to be a very good defensive game and the difference in the game belonging to backup defensive end brontë wells with his first interception of the year for a touchdown mark Farley joins us right now got the head coach 19th season of the Panthers mark the first half here and the defensive style of play brontë wells interception are you surprised with what you've seen so far I'm surprised our offense can't move the ball better and we're doing right now that's the holdup in our we just got to do a lot better job on offense and because you're having that difficulty what kind of changes for just--that's might you make at the break here oh one it's got to settle down we've made some errors e we've made support choices but you got establish the line of scrimmage in the run game but they're doing a good job but we got to do a lot better job on offense we do appreciate your time thanks mark yes sir time to step away get to 1/2 times 7 3 our score from the unit dome of 0 Falls Iowa [Music] weird halftime at Northern Iowa for NCAA FCS first-round playoff action a big part of the game of football happens on every play it's a line of scrimmage it's the battle within the battle let's hear from players who experience life inside the pile we see them everyday in daily life in different dimensions in varied shapes piles but in football after a fumble a pile is a churning seething living fray just fumbled pretty nervous he taught everything you can to get that bog there's no rules from the bottom of Paulo the rest can't say it though it's a kids game on guys don't cut their nails I've got skin cows somebody tried to poke my eyes it gets dirty down there man you gotta do what you got to do to get the ball ball to pile it is a dog-eat-dog world the better man will come out on top and it does not matter what he has to do to get there last season FBS teams combined to lose 1095 fumbles in all a lot of those lost amid a menagerie of limbs in extraordinarily tight quarters complete with a pile zone perfume Hey I'd say awesome the big man's think the big men's think that it all smell good it's not pretty just imagine how you feel going to the gym and then add shoulder pads that you've never washed and then a little bit of manly Musk it's quite an aroma you can't breathe you can't believe you know here's the yelling and people breathing hard so occasionally a fart will slip out but you really don't want that get the ball if you can but get up and get out for sure as with any ecosystem the pile breeds not only a unique brand of survival but it's only odd history's not a big sweat guy at the bottom of a pile I had a guy who was like a up towards the top and he was just dripping sweat and was going straight into my face mask I didn't like that at all like vividly remember clean pores and telling me a joke at the bottom of the pile was like whoo this is really romantic right now and I was just like what that was a quarterback sneak they got the best of that and of course sometimes the pile doesn't form in a fumble it's the celebration of victory we beat Notre Dame and double overtime and Tyrone swoops jumps in the end zone and he wins the game for us I throw on the ground but I land on the bottom so he's on top of me and I just feel like 200 pounds at a time it's just like and just piling on me feels like the happiest moment my life there's also like wow I might die right now there's so much weight though it's so next time you see a mound or a stack asked by a heap or a board consider that special place where people aren't striving to reach the top all they want is to get to the bottom you might get some bumps and bruises here and there about the end of the day I love it my grandma likes to think that it's all just a beautiful and happiness and butterflies sorry grandma it's not [Music] [Applause] [Music] certainly to the surprise of Northern Iowa coach mark Farley low-scoring game here is Panthers lead over San Diego 7 to 3 Monmouth is moving on the second round of pete guerrero out a huge day today for the winning team 31 carries 220 and 3 touchdowns austin peay has been in the delay for a while against Furman meanwhile Albany 42 Central Connecticut 7 John about this Jeff under come Fleur a quarterback 19 for 29304 and six six touchdown passes Wow that's the heck of a day it's a great start to the first round Illinois State is leading its game 21 3 at the break later today North Dakota and Nichols that winner will go on to the Fargodome to face the defending champions at North Dakota State Villanova Southeast Louisiana later and Kennesaw State and we saw the Owls last year against Wofford they were there pretty good yeah that that game could last about two hours with the triple off yeah that would be a rematch of last year's second-round game near Atlanta Georgia coming back when I light at stake today in the first round of the FCS playoffs at the UNIDO at Cedar Falls Iowa a trip to Brookings South Dakota State and round two against the seventh seat at South Dakota State Jackrabbits that will be next week Jim barber and the Hall of Famer John Gregory from Marshall University well everybody is surprised at the 73 game we've also had turnovers in this game I think that it made the game a lot lower scoring that we anticipated yeah I think so it was Northern Iowa that turned had three fumbles only gave up the one actually but it was in the red zone and they you had an opportunity to get that score on the board so good defensive struggle so far today and in fact they pick in this game turns out to be the biggest play of the first half that came early this is on a third down play of Bronte wells jumped around we did and then he found his way in the end zone that's the guy 264 pounds defensive end slash linebacker and gets them on the board quickly to start things off Tim so the only touchdown of the game and Williams might have had the second one of the game but it didn't happen so San Diego lives to play on Omar Brown gets the pick but that's waved off because of a 15-yard penalty still Panthers in the lead in the red zone and hit a quarterback McIlvain cost them some points there Inever one attorney you can see the frustration on the freshmen ear as he turns it up in a great play call here on a screen to keep this drive alive Northern Iowa blitzing on the play and they picked up the yardage move the chains down there and find themselves in field goal range that was Emilio Martinez four catches for 59 to lead them and receiving them brandon eckert with a makeable field goal and that makes it 7-3 and that is our scoring here for the first half as we take a look at the bottom bracket of the 24 team FCS championship series again the winner of this game hits the brookings next week South Dakota State is the seventh seed the break for anybody in this bracket is a back John they don't have to face North Dakota State unless it gets to the finals we're coming back with the second half second half ready to begin the head coach son the headsets from San Diego's Dale let's see Dale as we take a look at the first half what impressed you and what bothered you well what bothered me it was I don't think our quarterback plays anywhere near what he's capable of and it certainly didn't help us with the interception right off the bat now we're playing upfield against a really good team and it took us a while to get untracked on offense defense we seem to have found a way to finally put a stop to him because they're a good offensive football team we appreciate your time we wish you the best the next two quarters thank you hey Lindsey longtime head coach of San Diego 76 years young John for his team to get into the end zone and will not get the football to start the second half because of the coin toss what must be done that hasn't been done so far well maybe he's talking about that senior leadership from that guy right there you're taking a look look at their quarterback there a couple turnovers in that game he doesn't turn it over maybe it's a little bit of a different story but he got to be happy his football team controlled the ball for 20 minutes in that first half 20 of the 30 minutes so Northern Iowa they want to put that drive together when we talk with Mark Farley as he was heading off there at the end of that first half it sounded to me like you wanted to try to establish that line of scrimmage here and that's the second half total yardage for each team 135 for San Diego 110 for uni which will get the ball start this second half inside the unit all next door here at the McLeod Center the volleyball team for the Panthers we playing for a tournament championship man a chance to give Bobby Peterson a victory to make her the winningest coach in MVC history [Music] so Trevor Allen Xavier Williams Trevor is nine rather Xavier is nine and Trevor 25 back to take the kick from Tanner culture [Music] think back John the Savior Williams and near pick-6 how much a difference they'll Lindsay thought 7/3 was a whole what 14-3 might have been like yeah and again he I think that's why he mentioned his quarterback guy that typically doesn't give up those pick sixes during the year Williams will take it er deep nice return that's the 25-yard line that's where you and I goes to work here start the second half and a flag on the play right after the run back lariat our referee and his Southern Conference officiating crew after the play personal foul late hit out of bounds number nine the receiving team will penalize half the distance first down you know that mark Farley wasn't thrilled to start the second half and now they have Xavier Williams with a 15-yard penalty we'll send them back this is Williams on the return so let's see what number nine does it caught the ire of the officials ah through the right through the right hand when he was rolling over there he didn't like the way he was held on to and bam yep there's the right hand and he's pretty fortunate I need to get tossed first intent from the 13 yard line afters were leading in the first half 7 nothing and driving the ball until fumbled in the red zone San Diego able to counter late first half with field goal and we got ourselves a very competitive game goal McIlvain has carried the ball four times for eight throwing it four times completed of 11 for 76 quite unit ohm today without the students McIlvain looking left looking right penalty flag on the play he will run out of bounds to the 24 often not a hold and that's exactly what's coming up against the Panthers so Farley as upset as he was the way his team played offense the way the first half is really gonna be angry about this here to start the second you know I'm gonna back him up here in the shadow of their own goal line now well penalize half the distance suck it out so save your whims as a 15-yard penalty and now half the distance to the goal line penalty on the left tackle Trevor penny who disagrees now take a look at the left side of your screen here you can see him kind of holding off that left hand it's got ahold of them and I think that's a good call by the official so second and 15 the line of gains all the way up at the 23 not will you go for when you get the football to start the second half Weston goes in motion he's in the slot dangerous outside receiver and inside as well and that will broken up line of scrimmage third down saw Bobby J and the sidelines with clenched fists the defensive coordinator watching his Toreros up to the task so far that's Mahinda kappapa there with the big arm up in the air just knocking the football down couldn't get to the quarterback still able to affect the pass and now really puts Northern Iowa in a tough situation here on third and extremely long suni and Lane flanked to the far right two receivers deer side pressure coming from the edge quarterback keep and nowhere to go from McIlvain and San Diego is going to get good field position or in the end that Trevor Allen actually had the football in the end there's no gain on the play Bobby J's team holds surf now that means that the Toreros are gonna have great field position yeah they're fortunate that time McIlvain fumbled that football the San Diego defense reaching in there and ripping the football out Trevor Allen in the right place to be able to fall on top of it oh that would have been a turnover in San Diego right down there again good catch there yeah that's the fourth fumble on the day for Northern Iowa they've only lost one of them but for him on the ground Michael Armstead is in at Northern Iowa territory plus territory if he gets this punt Kirby booms it though to midfield and beyond Armstead breaks the tackle still with a football 40 Armstead 30 and inside the 30 down is a 26 yard line the Toreros started dry with their best field position the game thanks to solid defense and great special teams work by Michael Armstead you win playing defense and special teams when it gets to the playoffs and that's exactly what San Diego has been able to do today thinking maybe I'll just care for call a fair catch on this when he does it breaks that first line of defense and then picks it up with an opportunity and you can see the frustration on Northern Iowa's players after this this is the punter comin after him here he gets up and he's upset about everything going on here and so far the emotion on the positive sides with the San Diego team Zach Kirby makes the tackle football the 26 touchdown puts the Toreros ahead for the first time joe-joe been down nice gain on first down we come to second down at the 19 after a pickup of seven well to be honest the Panthers with mistakes in the first half have kept the door open for San Diego in the Toreros are in position to take advantage you wonder if both coaches went in there and said okay let's try to establish the line of scrimmage here both coming out trying to run the football early here in the second half and San Diego has been able to run it the last four football games they've really picked up the run game out of the Pioneer League back to Jojo Binda and he has dropped for a loss Alison Smith who stands 6 7 245 the real deal as the coaches say with the tackle watch him coming off the left side there you're running a counter play and if you don't have somebody coming across quickly to get Ellison Smith came to the program at 204 pounds now at 2:45 and not an opportunity to play out for this - this guy's really talented and quick it's a lead to 45 now he could put on another 15 look the part even better than that defensive end there was 512 on third down little flair to Martinez who usually makes things happen it does he have enough for the first down he is close he may be short by a yard pending on placement see if San Diego besides they're going to go for it again with a quarterback sneak we see them do it a couple times today not getting to the line quickly taking their time here but you're going for centers Trent Forster all of us oh no painful it's on the left side of the line Luke all of us some toe and DJ right on the right side it is a quarterback sneak question is is it enough both sides say the Northern Iowa side a stop San Diego says first down thick spot right here John I think it looked like it was short then it decided to take the snap not go right over the center what he looked what he did was hesitate and go to the left I think it was a good decision but his foot came out from underneath him there and I don't know if he was able to reach enough to get that first down well here's the drama [Music] John I think you have the best eyesight in football and they went to it for the third time this time not able to come up with it the first time he went right over the center and did it the second time as well you could see him with one leg behind the other looked like he was going to run that quarterback sneak waited and tried to go over his left guard but dig his foot as I said slipped out from underneath them and he wasn't able to get it now a big break for Northern Iowa let's see if they can try to put some type of drive together here offensive coordinator Jeremiah Johnson of Northern Iowa has to be happy this is the NCAA FCS football championship series live in the unit ohm and Cedar Falls Iowa we have avoided in snow last couple days plenty of rain however big local parade last night for all the kids Santa Claus making a cameo inside the toasty dome here it is first in 10 Panthers leading 73 on an interception for touchdown back in the first quarter McIlvain with time near sidelines ball caught and that's good enough for first Allen pickup 11 Jalen James has his third reception of the game that was Northern Iowa decide okay we're not going to run it we are going to try to just throw the football down here good timing on the outside Jalen James coming back to the quarterback to try to help him out here it was well covered again teams just averaging just over two yards a carry running the football so no question why maybe they're going to go to the air McIlvain outside got a man another first out of catch this time Aaron Graham so three was left them to his right back to back first downs good start to this offensive series Aaron Graham's that guy you want to get the football in his hands quickly he's really good on screen passes quick throws to the outside and he can move the chains for you so going to the up-tempo last time they did this through a couple quick passes they went deep and connected for a long throw and yo Tolbert 22 came up with the tackle moments ago play-action over the middle another strike [Applause] grand back-to-back receptions three successive first down catches and runs and a little life with the fans here too as they're able to get a couple first downs in it it's got him off the seats a little bit here cheering this time of utter Nichols makes the tackle eighth first out of the game three have been on this series now football plus territory from the 37 fresh set of downs a lot of time for McIlvain looking for sex little push-off in the end zone that's in Affairs the question is who did the pushing Taylan James on the receiving end first I think he means 83 James no and it was pretty evident I think going for the ball right here and there's the push and the extension like Connor Nichols get out of here that's my ball now there's always some pushing and shoving and as soon as you extend your arms whether you're a defender or an offensive player that's when the official will throw that Michael Hawkins back with double covers on the play 15-yard penalty first and 25 for Northern Iowa the conference with the most titles nine in the Missouri Valley Football Conference and this the Panthers will not like they have to burn a timeout [Music] it's not going away the head coach Mark Farley anticipated the good news though is his team is up for [Music] he played football you and I from 1990 to 1993 he is Kurt Warner NFL's most valuable player 99 for the st. Louis Rams won a Super Bowl when the Rams had a football team there he is you and I legacy McIlvain making something out of nothing to the 49 yard line on a first and 25 and back to Kurt Warner again was quarterback at the beginning of the 90s you think about how the game has changed offensively since he played and yet he was so good back then yeah yeah you know you think about it in the NFL he's one of the reasons why the game has changed to what he did with the Rams in the up-tempo and everything else going on from there and Arena Football pretty impressive part of the Rams greatest show on turf McIlvain seven-yard pickup on first and 25 now shooting one of the sidelines got a man intended for sunni lane [Music] it completes another look the rule change a couple of years ago you can get pushed out of bounds here and boy what a good call by the official it looked like that left foot looked like it was down but never hit the ground and first thing that touch was on the white ashes Johnson back to defend ooh coaches say is really coming to his own here in 2019 s and out his third and 18 at midfield in Northern Iowa he is old for five on third down coming into the game on third down just 34% here comes pressure McIlvain and trouble gonna even why not Caliban [Applause] what official salesman says Wolcott had ball down Isiah Weston with a reception he is down credited with a catch to the three yard line of 47 but Weston is hurt [Applause] ball came loose and the sideline official said ground caused the fumble therefore play was dead Wow almost difficult to describe what happened here McIlvain looked like he was in all kinds of trouble and just thought he was gonna be sacked turns into a huge play I said Weston has missed a couple of games and many practices due to a lower body injury and he was shaken up pretty hard on that play after making a SportsCenter I like catch question is will it stand John you don't think it will I on further review I don't know if he had the football completely through the entire catch here you can see the defender trying to rip it away here at the last minute he has it here but does he control it all the way through when it hits the ground there you can see the ball starting to move that's Cash's Johnson back defending who got his right hand in there that caused the ball to come loose and if there's an overrule Johnson will come up with a huge defensive play in the season because that's the only way he made that happen boy and this is another one of those calls it's so difficult looked like he originally had it just whether they rule it he maintained throughout James / caches the replay official up at the booth Larry at the Southern Conference officiating crew we're going back and we're looking at the end of that thing but we'll McIlvain did a tremendous job of getting the football down the field under severe rush and he threw it right on the money yeah the gorgeous pass and an equally great catch if it stands as a catch one thing San Diego's doing every time if they're in a third down and long situation they are sending guys in force and McIlwain McIlvain to get it up in the air in a hurry and go back to what a beautiful throw that was under duress not ready to make a call yet yep change it you're right John yeah they're walking that ball back to the center of the field and that's an indication to us here taking a little bit more time finding out exactly where the ball is it's going to be right on the 50-yard line [Music] after review the ball was incomplete and be fourth down John I want to work every game with you the rest of my life because you don't miss these watch this effort by the quarterback here McIlwain gets the pressure here comes the Blitz to the outside I'm thinking he's down right here steps up to the inside and just fires this thing down the field although it was an incomplete pass it wasn't because of the effort of McIlvain beautiful throw I think Cash's jumps and had a lot to do defending their - as you can see that right hand come in and I thought he dislodged the catch by Isiah Weston as he was going down the reception so Weston's gonna be okay because he was shaken up back to live action almost halfway through the third and now Northern Iowa must give up the ball yeah Thursday only fumble in the end zone but now have a pass and catch taken away rather in the red zone now have one taken away in the red zone so it's defense must be called upon to make another stand after the catch by Michael Armstead well we know one thing neither team feels in control of this game because we have had a lot of unusual things happen and that's not a good sign for Isaiah West a mom who has been battling injuries just to get to this point to play hi we talked with coach Farley this week he was 50/50 whether he was going to get an opportunity to play and so happy to see him in this ball game and see why he's so valuable to this football team on the two big catches and almost catch they're not because wasn't the effort so rarest from the 16 trying to set up a screen Northern Iowa spotted it and as we saw read sent it did the only thing you can do and that is get rid of the ball have to keep in mind too if the quarterback drifts back to the end zone and then tries to get rid of it deliberately and it's attentional agrandi has a safety team that averages 42 points a game the third best in the FCS has a field goal today that's it 14 of 22 on the day first inning with a couple interceptions his coach said not his best first half we'll see how he plays here in the second still in a one-possession game it's perhaps the remarkable part that San Diego's been able to survive they near pick-6 by Xavier Williams and a fumble inside the red zone while was defending and then the pass catch that was overruled moments ago Bryce later again in on the tackle they're leading the team in tackles today had six in the first half and always around the football at that outside linebacker position he has one hundred and ten tackles now for the season crowd in two and a third and 11 halfway through the third Sinnott feeling the pressure gets rid of it Duncan came to catch know where to go 48 Crisco larvik with a tackle redshirt sophomore from Traverse City Michigan you'd be that's a lethal defense when you can get pressure on the quarterback there and allow your linebackers to just cover those crossing routes Ville Arabic recognizing it getting there in a hurry no yardage at all and now Northern Iowa should get great field position save your Williams back around midfield to get the punt from Tanner Colton holds in with a dandy there fair catch 41 yard line 643 for the third quarter Monmouth defeats Holy Cross at first round play today 44 27 Albany 42 Central Connecticut 14 that's a final Austin Peay and Furman had a delay is now 7 3 anyway second quarter Austin Peay leading Illinois state leading early fourth 21 6 over see mo we were there last year John Southeast Missouri State for an opening round playoff game and all eyes in North Dakota on North Dakota and Nichols scoreless three minutes into the first quarter if North Dakota wins a trip to play North Dakota State next week same thing available certainly for Nichols state as well Trevor Allen breaks the tack hole into the second line of defense though with a football and a pickup close to 14 first down for number 25 maybe the biggest rushing attempt we've had all day is you can see Allen fight you get those extra yards got to hold on to the football here as you can see I'm trying to rip the football out of there once again that's Jacob Bergstrom chasing them down from the defensive end position John Allen now seven carries for 39 over 500 yards rushing for the season fresh start now from the 45 hits on the end around and a lot of space to roll we've seen a lot of Aaron Graham number 37 in the second half happily we haven't not a surprise really when you're looking at me as the third leading receiver on this team had 25 rushes for 287 yards this year this guy can do a lot of different things he's quick and you get the football in his hands he can make people miss in the open field and as a result of that first down football now 235 as we're under six for the third quarter empty backfield quarterback to all San Diego did a nice job of spotting the potential that and as a result quarterback McIlvain just got a couple yeah Marcus vivo the linebacker here he created a fumble earlier in the day and nighttime comes up on it and stops that quarterback sneak good recognition here so key I think this entire day has been first down for both of these offenses have not been able to produce on first down therefore got yourself in second and third and long you mentioned Marcus he's one of the four captains on this team that play going nowhere as well as Trevor Allen gets swallowed up well pick a number any number of let's start with vipole makes the tackle they're the fifth year senior out of Gilbert to Arizona they say you could see the emotion that he had he's basically the guy that sets everything up for the defense fifth year guy fourth on the team and tackles coming into this game well then Iowa has had the better of the field position today but unable to capitalize with no points on offense - the extra point after the Nick six let's see if San Diego comes after him again they've done it all day on third and long situation trying to pressure the freshman here it looks like they're coming again and another Northern Ireland of timeouts that's two time-outs now that the Panthers have had to use and that could be significant job now but you want to make sure here you don't want to turn the football over you're down here not many opportunities so make sure you on the same page here coach Farley knows how important those timeouts are but so is this play right here on third and ten a lot of great running backs that have come through the Northern Iowa program ever David Johnson who ran just a few years back from 2011 to 2014 is a member of mark Farley's team Mark's been here for almost two decades as a head coach and how about David Johnson Arizona playing at home this weekend in the NFL running back from 2015 and on for Northern Iowa got a lot of conference championships here a lot of trips to the FCS playoffs might this be the year that they bring through and get to the championship Allan's numbers modest today 4.6 yards a carry must get to the 25 McIlvain trying to throw a strike and unable to convert now we go to fourth down all intended for Logan wolf no surprise here comes San Diego they're gonna pin their ears back and come after the quarterback look at all the white shirts there and you can see the white shirts running with the Northern Iowa defenders they're showing man-to-man coverage all over the place this team has 19 interceptions on the year because they get pressure up front and they've got great defensive backs with speed that cover these wide receivers running situation for Zach Kirby it'd be his fifth of the game his job is trying to pin it inside the 10 and Northern Iowa is going to use another timeout John why not take a 5-yard penalty or something I don't get that in full agreement with you there our Farley's team is out of timeouts hell no question about it mark Farley he's not happy he'll let you know about oh yeah that's for sure Nichols has kicked a short field goal to lead North Dakota six and a half to go first quarter three nothing Illinois State still leading southeast Missouri in the fourth quarter 21 6 8 games today in the FCS playoffs more to come later this afternoon and and tonight as 8 other teams have the day off first round bye I will get going next week let's see how the lack of timeouts effects Northern Iowa the rest of the way as we still have 419 left of the third and obviously all the fourth if this game should go to an overtime they would have an extra time off provided Matthew cook who was blooming him from 50 in practice is lined up for a 53 yarder for the left hash [Applause] he drives it low line drive kick hit the post no good [Applause] boy couldn't be any closer than this is he drills this thing 53 yards and going right off the bottom of the goalposts there so they used a time out looked like they were going to punt the football use the timeout and decided they're gonna kick it and try to get the point so we were wondering why they used that timeout well they were trying to get some points on the board yeah so in that respect the idea of going for three not a bad decision but again that the fact you've used up your last time I think that's that's announcer a good move may show the value of points today yeah this possession for the two arrows after the Miss from their own 35 play-action force in it and asked to drop it down to his reserve receiver starting Tynan Zak Nelson or pick up a couple of yards how close was this and what a beautiful camera angle from the end zone here at the unit oh that's not the first time that the goalpost has been hit today I was walked down on the field earlier reads Senate read Senate was throwing passes from the 15-yard line and trying to hit the post he hit the bottom post hit the right post and just missed the left one yeah hit three times in a row he's got good accuracy second and eight clock one week three and a half remaining third quarter another fake by Senate another roll out of pocket if he falls asleep on the flight back to San Diego they have nightmares of just running for his life because he's been doing a lot of it today you know Bill Neff camera guy down there getting that great angle that field goal going off the crossbar there hit the bottom half of him there's a look at him he's gonna remember your Christmas job for your for your blog and he said my day is done yeah I can't get any better third at seven proudest cranked up they pick up the Blitz incomplete at a receiver at midfield intended for number five Michael mandiant now the Toreros must give up the wall you know what that's the first time I've heard you mention Michael Bendis name in a long test he's the number one guy in this football team remember the interceptions early in the game that's why that throw is missed to the outside because as a quarterback you get a little bit shy you want to make sure you're leading your receivers to the outside after one pick six and almost another you're going to make sure if you're going to miss your going to miss to the outside and they haven't been able to connect on those long out patterns it is possible before this game is over we'll have more punts that we will points kolchin good field Xavier Williams fair catch will spot him at the 28 as we stick around with 246 to go in the third quarter alright John still time left of the third all the fourth what's going to win this game well I just somebody put together a consistent Drive here and maybe you know does it come down to another turnover late in the ballgame both teams this has turned into a really physical football game I'm watching on that punch the guys crossing outside of the action where the football is there's a lot of other stuff going on this series it down starts from the 28 Panthers the favorite in this game the winner to South Dakota State next week to the flat and the sure-handed Eric Graham to the 32 it's like a run plan first how much you think for for positive gain [Music] you'll take that we mentioned these teams averaging under two yards but Northern Iowa's averaging 3.1 yards per rush and for San Diego under two one point three yards per rush today the team that averages six or seven touchdowns a game Trevor Allen is fighting for every yard he can get there and he has held up at the line of scrimmage he got swarmed 99 miles wilson one of many in on the play it's warm because of the pursue watch how many players get over there to this football first guy makes contact and then three four other white jerseys get there in a hurry 96 and fried I'll hit it first third and six under two minutes to go third quarter over seven the Panthers on third down it's been abysmal so far need to convert here comes pressure McIlvain the redshirt freshman with a strike and the ball is dropped Wow eighty-three Jalen James should have had it and he would have had many yards after the catch he'll be fourth down well you got to come up with the place plenty of good protection there by that offensive line hits him right in the hands does a nice job of using his hands and not his body and he just drops the football maybe he's thinking turn up the field and possible touchdown versus catching the football first usually really reliable number two receiver on this football team so the ball - a possibility of penalty back to San Diego fair catch Armstead 38 yard line and a flag after the play seven penalties on the Panthers today two on San Diego so count officials are getting busy yeah number forty was around that penalty again and he got involved with somebody on the last but play too so Isaac Haney for San Diego number forty not sure where they're going with this just happened to notice he was around the extracurricular activity again holding number 24 the kicking team my rule will take ten yards on the end of the run first down eighth penalty of the game now for Northern Iowa and more importantly it moves the ball to midfield San Diego with yet another opportunity and the rarer Toreros take advantage right side of this screen will show the hold they are that's a hold in a toss to well as two points are so Russell isn't once again great field position for minor leagues to raros boss suite near side the field Jojo with the football Govinda who came in the electric over the last four games as we see an injured player Chris the Levesque is down Binda has been certainly held in place today you mentioned how physical this game is and we're starting to see wear and tear back to the FCS scoreboard while we have a chance as Chris continue to battle the pain Monmouth already behind Pete Guerrero's to 11 on the ground a winner Albany with six touchdown passes from its quarterback and easy win over Central Connecticut State the Illinois State winding down a win over see mo Austin Pease game delay for a long period of time it is now seven three at the half and field goal games with nickels and Villeneuve oh I'll offer to Kennesaw State our seven nothing in the first [Applause] let's see at the end of the play if we can determine exactly what happened watch 48 right in the middle of your screen you see him hustling getting over to the football and it was like whipped out-of-bounds tough to see if he was getting up somebody landed on him or the ball carrier may have landed on his leg back to live action winding down third quarter on second and nine from the 50 Sinnott out of the backfield Emilio Martinez who was very capable of making people miss gets to the 44 for a third manageable third and three remember D seems open up in the middle of the field so that dropped down the underneath mass throw out today one of the backfield runners has been pretty effective saw Martinez with a nice catch up run in the first significant yards [Applause] and complete and a decision now to make from the 44 on 4th and 3 John that's why they pay you the big money after this little shovel pass here yeah you go for it here you got a Punnett of one I'm gonna punt it away and let my defense play prove that Northern Iowa is gonna be able to score offensively here you cheated you look to the sidelines ahead mention I know I forget you're the conservative one ere the booth and that's exactly what the Toreros will do relying on Bobby J's defense to continue to make a stand this likely will be the final play of the third quarter this is the third torero penalty and I don't think they mind because they got five more yards dude trying to plant this inside the ten we're getting the ball inside the twenty was a big deal but now yeah major emphasis is inside the ten you'll see guys making fair catches around the ten yard line where that used to be taboo yeah I used to be keep your you know keeping your heels right on the ten and if you go back any further just let the ball go don't touch it it would scream at you if you did that yeah yeah now with the ability to pump it knows of the football they get so much rotation back toward the field good explanation Cole gin with a fair catch just inside the ten that's the end of the third quarter do hope you'll come back for the fourth and who knows we could be added to an extra period or two highly competitive football game for a chance to get to round 2 of the FCS playoffs [Music] well it's the underdog shirt that has become rather popular here with the uni football team thought they should have had a first round bye so Jared from the Sports Information came up with a design players are wearing them so despite what you hear they were disappointed with their lack of a first round by now they must fight for the game where they haven't played well but still eat 7/3 just the start of the fourth quarter Jim barber and the hall-of-famer from Marshall giant Gregory McIlvain a lot of time releases Trevor Allen first down still going with a football pass the 35 that was spotted at the 38 and a mecha of 28 and a big play his Panthers offense which needed one in credit will McIlvain that time keeping the play alive looked like he wanted to go to the right side nobody there and finally went to his check down and for the first time today Trevor Allen or anybody for northern for Northern Iowa able to get to the outside and find some space out there and pick up a nice block now McIlvain almost a double move in the backfield now in trouble and he's going to keep the football past the 40 an out of bounds to the 45 so a six yard pickup they'll spot him at the 40 for making a lot out of nothing it's not bad for a redshirt freshman oh one of the things we talked about at the very open today is his ability to run the football and move the pocket and keep a play alive we've seen him do it on the last two downs and got to do it on first and second down this team told eight today on third down so that's why I say first and second down so important to both of these offenses now first down to the 49 they lose the football job from the 10 all the way to midfield yeah if anything they've kind of flipped the field here from a field position standpoint but they don't want to hear anything about field position right now they want to think points on the board and seven if at all possible it's been a one score game forever even though Northern Iowa has had the best of the opportunities but has made the most errors two minutes gone by fourth quarter McIlvain carry the football to the 47 and a pickup of four go back to it on first down they're using their quarterback now to try to pick up those yards and make it second and third and manageable well coming in John excuse me he averaged three yards of care that's misleading because you factor in sacks yeah so it's likely a higher per play or per carry average for the quarterback and his run Pass options make him dangerous even as a redshirt freshman eight in the box he'll throw it on their side good pickup by the quarterback another first down strike two jaylen James James would dropped a huge play back in the third quarter sure-handed here on the floor look at that protection up front you could see Northern Iowa's offensive line known as a quick class they basically almost looked like it was run block in that time as they manned up on everybody and nobody got even close to McIlwain back there and he's able to throw that strike I want to go back to something you said moments ago this should be a drive the Nets points because yes you're chewing up clock you've got field control right now but you still only lead seven three and you have not made the most out of scoring opportunities i staff quarterback nowhere to go able to make one man miss and is down just past the 40 and back to the original line of scrimmage go suit again that time Marcus five-oh back there in the backfield living back there it seems like today it's gonna be huge for Northern Iowa to continue to be ahead in this game because the Panthers have no timeouts remaining burned all three in the third quarter [Music] [Applause] Graham and motion now as a receiver screen pass set up deflected incomplete here's my Hindu pop again with a pressure 97 the backup knows you ever wonder how you can throw an interception on a screen pass I've done it my career look at this absolutely no offensive lineman laid a glove on that guy and the timing is off when you get a clear run to the quarterback you need just that little bit of extra time to be able to get it out there and what the first time a quarterback could possibly throw an interception on a screen pass and I certainly did in my career just a few and I'm proud of it of course not will this be the first time they conferred on third down over eight depends on the spot good stretch my sunni lane after the catch but on a third and ten it's good enough for the first down in their first conversion on third down what an extra effort here reaching out to try to get this first down he keeps his body and his knee off the ground of how about that effort there's a great look at it and it keeps the ball away from San Diego's offense which came in averaging and 41 points a game limited to just three today Toreros with a little adjusting now with the blitz ball caught once again sunni lane on the reception he is blasted out of bounds at the 20 by Michael Hawkins relentless pursuit by San Diego's defense they're gonna come after this quarterback they're doing it on every down now they're not going to give them an opportunity to sit back there throw the football been able to get some deflections at the line of scrimmage biggest thing now for the Toreros defense try to hold you and I to a field goal attempt and keep it at one score Trevor Allen trying to pick up the first down it'll be third down and two the time continues to whittle away really impressed with this San Diego defense all day long and what Bobby J has these guys doing playing as a team together running to the football working as a unit when they blitz this quarterback their defensive backs have good man-to-man coverage and you can see why this team has had a lot of success a lot of talk goes to the offense but this defense has been very good to their right all the conversations been about what this team averages but defensively just allowing 23 points a game has not giving up any points today on offense third and two back to the run game Allen drop behind the line of scrimmage 47 kavacha cama cama Komaki with a tackle this is guy you talk about speed off the edge you can see him coming from the left side of your screen he's a safety linebacker kind of that hybrid guy and you can see nobody blocking him at all and you just got a hope that your running back is going to get there in a hurry but great speed right Kamaka now they have to settle for a field goal the thing now after cooks been very good [Applause] inside the 40 this year this will be a 39-yard attempt [Applause] and the kick is true [Applause] converting a third-down leads the points still Sandiego able to keep on a one possession game with eight [Music] job for some reason cameraman bill enough is getting more face time than we are why is that that right spot at the right time or wrong spot at the right time this is Matthew cook steal gold moments ago that's Neff shot there and look we're lands look out below and you and I thought that was an easy job he was a hero look at him [Music] by the way you can rest easy Marshall Winston over time Florida International 30 27 year old model Alabama leading Auburn's second quarter ten seven Minnesota seven Wisconsin three second quarter San Diego trying to get a drive together to start this possession with 819 to go the Toreros have all three timeouts remaining and now we got penalties coming with some contact on the sidelines and let's see who it's gonna be against this could be huge right here Larry Adcock will try to sort it out speaking right now with his umpire that's Tillman self after the play I'm supposed to like on dog number 31 receiving team it's a 15-yard penalty first down and the last thing that you need when you're trying to put together a game-tying drive asan Samir Wallace [Music] you and I ban performing here as we get set to a San Diego possession bot halfway through the fourth quarter the winner on the face South Dakota State on the road next week in Brookings South Dakota and that gorgeous 67 a million dollar date at night how stadium and you and I have a chance to visit on occasion beautiful place San Diego 85 yards away from potentially tying the game Cinna in trouble just got to get rid of it pressure was coming in it has come on a number of occasions they any Wyson was able to unload it and no danger suffered from it now Emilio Martinez right there threw it at his feet they are setting up the screen on that first down expecting Northern Iowa to come after him and why not with a seven-point lead now you can be a little bit more risky than you could when you didn't have that seven-point lead he gave up a big play he still got the chance for overtime vertical passing game is midnight sistent v receiver set for senate again has to throw off the back foot and converts the dalton Kincaid up to the 24 good for nine yards Wow check that to the 26 good for a love in the hair the first denim this is a big tight end slash pullback going to the outside here that's Bryce flater again 224 pounds making that solid contact to the outside he leads the team in tackles today that's his ninth tackle on the day also due to tackle for loss [Applause] fresh set of downs though for the Toreros again three timeouts already in the bank [Applause] offense averaging 40 1.7 points a game and almost 500 yards a game jumping out of conference today in the Pioneer League to take on one of the best the Missouri Valley Football Conference you know one of the things you talk about all the time is that explosive plays 27 percent of the plays offensively this year have gone for ten or more yards averaging over 7 1/2 yards of play 75 plays have gone for 20 plus yards so we have not seen that big play offense or explosive plays much from San Diego most damn [Applause] Sinnott little drop pass alex padam consider the fact that Northern Iowa had to replace John its entire defensive secondary enabled today to hold a high-flying offense to just a field goal is quite commendable yeah good point I mean that was one of the concerns this year coming in from Marc Farley when we talked with him this week his start of the year was replaced an entire secondary and then linebackers and injuries like that so this team has really gotten a lot better throughout the year and they're shining today defensively [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Senate flush down in trouble sad [Applause] nowhere to go and Jared Rickman got him jr. from Iowa City the home of the Hawkeye's and brick went seventh sack of the year give credit to the coverage nowhere to go plus you got to give credit to the defense in front up front know where to go with the football there cannot step up in the pocket because of the penetration and finally the big nose tackle finds his way there Tanner Colton back for yet another punt could use a Boomer hair fair cat Savior Williams lost the ball out of bounds so to be in the hands of you and I when we come back 5:25 to go in the fourth still anybody's game [Music] back to work here this is our game summary he touched down a pick six and the first corner has remained the difference for Northern Iowa will McIlvain quarterback for uni 13 of 26 on the game his team has the offense he's got the football and he nailed a Brooklyn for a huge gain he is able to get five here important numbers right now for San Diego all three timeouts are left and if you follow the NFL game closely just remember there is no two-minute warning here so you have those three that are ready and in position to be used if necessary one of the interesting things to in this second half is this Northern Iowa offense has really made up about eight and a half minutes and time of possession that goes a long way here you think oh what's 8 minutes what's a lot when you're playing inside a very warm place like this San Diego not used to the humidity that they have in here we're in the defense down in the second half solid point to because you use up a lot of clock too as well ESPN's coverage of the FCS championship will continue next weekend second round action eight different sites on ESPN 3 for more information go to ncaa.com that is the official online home for all 90 NCAA championships you and I will be on a plane to Fargo a Fargodome for the defending I call the defending world champions because he just got a dynasty going over there you know in the Bison who have won seven of the last eight FCS titles facing either North Dakota or Nicholls State [Music] once again winding the clock down in just a few precious seconds and that is incomplete that will help San Diego because that will stop the clock pass it was intended for lane and may have been a good thing that that ball was thrown high like that because the defender David Tolbert read that perfectly and had a chance to pick that off the North Dakota Nichols game the winner of that going to the Fargodome resembles our game three nothing 833 to go second quarters nickels at home and ahead well with 355 remaining you get the feel this might be san diego's last gasp Kirby high end over end Armstead will let it go Toreros have got to go 80 yards to have a chance the veteran [Music] well as they amp up I have a tiger from Survivor in the background you and eyes defense trying they're called upon to stop this high-flying San Diego offense first and ten from its own twenty Senate affording the pressure with time it's got a man co-op 45 yard line a pickup a 30 by Dalton Kincaid and give read Senate a lot of credit for avoiding trouble and finding the open tight end rot a Wells right in his face there he able to avoid him and make the law I thought Brice flater was going to have a chance to pick that off but he just lobbed it over his head for the huge first down and moving the chains to the 50-yard line [Music] [Applause] second best offensive play of the game for San Diego the land around this is Michael bandy gonna throw off the back foot incomplete would you think about the play call there well I think it was an okay play call was a bad decision on where to throw the football he had Zak Nelson is tight in wide open crossing the field he elected to go to the deep receiver down the field that was covered he had that to do over again or what she looks at film he say boy I missed my opportunity cuz they had a guy 20 yards down the field with nobody covering Dale Lindsey's put a lot of time in the pros many years in college watching from the sideline second and 10 the 308 left let's get to the 41 of uni empty backfield for read sentence the Iowa boy over the middle pecked off [Applause] biggest play the game Christian jaga number 21 his fourth interception of the season right place at the right time we mentioned this guy's an athlete was a former wide receiver you can see the good hands there as he's got some run out - the catch - as he's fighting his trying to get this thing in the end zone and put it away and good hustle by Michael bandy to prevent him from getting in the end zone but that made to be just enough right there for this Northern Iowa defense to the secure this win yes even though San Diego has three timeouts remaining a field goal makes it a two score game as that is the third Toreros turnover and it is the biggest of the game Allen Stern touchdown [Music] if there's three minutes away from a rematch with South Dakota State and a huge hole in the middle that time you just wonder at San Diego almost let him get in the end zone just to try to preserve any time on this clock because they would have chewed it all up if they could Geoff touchdown the season for Alan 17/3 now think about the interceptions that Dale Lindsay who was not happy with his quarterback at the break has thrown in this game what was a pick six and then the one moments ago that led to this touchdown when they met and it wasn't long ago November 16th will McIlvain threw three interceptions against the Jackrabbits and after a scoreless first quarter were blown out 38 7 and we say it's tough to be the team twice in a season but their factor of meeting South Dakota State once you know it's gonna be difficult this conference it's got arguably the best football and that is left like North Dakota State which ran the table once again you and I which finished in second place at 6 and 2 did not get a first-round bye but right now is three minutes away from getting to the second round and really that's all that matters no and guess what they'll be wearing those t-shirts the underdogs sure yes now and come with an attitude about the red shirt freshman quarterback today well you know he did some things especially here in the second half on first and second down with his scrambling ability I think using his legs to keep plays alive and scramble and get those first down yardage that made things manageable for third third down there this team on the day just 1 of 10 on third downs [Music] and despite that and I'm sure that's something Ryan McAfee the offensive coordinator for you and I will discuss his team is just a few precious minutes away from moving on ball fumble back in the 10 arm step picks it up still going on a football and able to get all that in 247 put the benefit for Northern Iowa's defense is that they don't need the Blitz guys to get pressure on the quarterback they've got such a good defensive front that it can play zone coverage behind it and force San Diego to work their way down the field and they don't have time for that they say the middle of the field is typically where you want to throw the football even though you use clock that's where most of the real estate is located and it's also the most dangerous to throw the intercept [Applause] Senate as don't three of them today over center with a little bit of time now everything collapses on them releases at the last minute to Martinez you wonder if there's a hold on the play because that play took a long time to develop nak nelson 44 was shaken up well we'll find out officially personal foul line side 163 offence penalize half the distance replay first down this a in Valencia true full-time starter getting last year that will bend it back even further 63 in your screen on your screen and there's the hits late it's a tough call and an offensive line that's just muscle and trying to make the play understand though that's the rule [Applause] 239 left going the other way and a good comeback play to Zak Nelson ball take it away [Applause] spencer cou Villere the middle linebacker and another san diego turnover created by this uni defense oh you can see the look on Dale Lindsay's face and say what things just couldn't go right today offensively water back throwing interceptions and then late in the fall football game not provoke protecting the football Northern Iowa defense as we said all year long creating turnovers 25 gained on the year 11 pump was 14 interceptions coming into this football game you would think that that play John seals it that's down Northern Iowa with a two touchdown lead is in the red zone with 228 to go gonna have an exchange of footballs here I believe so mark Farley's team not playing its best football for three quarters coming up huge here in the fourth and headed the brookings for a rematch and we know how hard that's going to be because the Dakotas as time I was being called lately South Dakota State at North Dakota State don't lose much in December a tough place to go and play to out there in the elements last time few weeks ago when this Northern Iowa team went there was a windy cold day and was the day where their quarterback their freshman quarterback first time playing at South Dakota State at three of his six interceptions that he had on the year all in one ball game one of those was tipped again to try and make some play so having that experience I think playing there one time he's going to do this team a great deal turned right around and play him in a three week span [Music] and we'll need a few days to get over the pain of this one physical pain that is so there not the discomfort of losing the game that's not going to happen nickels at the goal line at North Dakota first and goal late second quarter leading three nothing and trying to get to North Dakota State for game that you and I see you next week remember Alan straight ahead Alan has the only rushing touchdown of the game that came on the previous possession after a turnover by the way it is now nine nothing Nichols will North Dakota laughter to kennesaw statement way ii are tied at7 and Villanova on a Philly PA leading Southeast Louisiana 17 to 7 the San Diego team last year lost to Nichols 4930 in the playoffs each and every year I think these teams getting a little bit better a little bit better twice they've advanced to the second round they go on to lose this one today that'll be a two and five record in the FCS playoffs all time they won at Northern Arizona in 2017 both times they advanced they lost to North Dakota State in the second round you get matched up with a team from the Missouri Valley Football Conference namely the team that has the dynasty you're not expected to win and usually don't third and five ball 213 and one timeout remains for the Toreros back to Allen makes a spin move they have lost a yard on the play in the final time I'm being used and now San Diego must hope for a Miss or get a block that is the only hope here because three possessions with three scores will certainly have nailed this one for you and I first visit though here to the unit dome and pretty impressive place it's not filled to capacity not expected to be on the Thanksgiving break for students and nonetheless its facility which has been up a while send a lot of football late the season built in 1978 air supported and coach Shoob manages here apart Farley says this is one of the top five facilities in the country now it's certainly a recruiting tool yeah that's for sure if you wanna able to take it on the road and say yeah we can grow up there you know you're gonna play in the cold weather but when we're at home we're gonna get great weather every football game you can get some good talent in here by having that type of control climate San Diego they get to go back to that climate every time yes 25,000 miles but you get to go back home to San Diego if you cook for a short field goal Nesta so a 2:05 to go somewhere else with a hint of life here [Music] also notice that our camera versus a building I've stayed out of the way this time we do appreciate that [Music] well and the dogs must wait another defensive series r2 here John we know how they're gonna defend the the vertical pass the long pass here but do you need to take a shot nonetheless and see what happens I think so I mean you know you have to get two scores on the board somehow so you don't want to be reckless with the football but you gotta try something rush for drop seven instead to go to the short pass to Pandy and the problem with that is the clock continues to movement there are no timeouts the province of stuff but the problem is - like you said they're dropping seven and they're deep - so they know what you're going to try to do and just prevent it you got to hope you throw it underneath and maybe create something step back in the game as the near outside receiver on a form receiver may get three receivers set Senate in trouble has to take it bring us to a third and five by the roar of the crowd I'm guessing they thought there was holding somewhere [Music] they're not very objective here by the way [Music] third and five what are you here for coach Lindsay huh Betty Robinson coach of the year finalist interesting what he said over his career he's been involved in so many different leagues and games he was sharing with us that Jim round was he played alongside of for years that's professional football player he ever saw thought it was interesting he said he's been hired and fired by every league known to mankind you think that's true except for the USFL I believe it was XFL and arena football he worked for our current present president Donald Trump yeah for a couple of years with the New Jersey generals fourth and five and last gasp [Applause] [Music] and that's going to do it so Northern Iowa well held one of the most explosive teams in college football to a field goal to them and I would think new defensive coordinator Jeremiah Johnson you are thrilled yep I think so too knowing not knowing exactly what you were gonna get I don't know there's speed not a whole lot of teams that you can in a feel for on how good they really are but they put up such tremendous numbers you can expect them to get on the board but Northern Iowa's defense just did a tremendous job today pressure all day long in the face of read cynic there's a smile for mark Farley last time San Diego didn't score touchdown couple of years ago all the way back to round two FCS and the 38 3 loss to the Bison of North Dakota State [Music] so what about the Panthers chances next week in the rematch like you said it's very difficult to beat somebody two times in a row in a year and you know they know they know him well they probably don't need to look at film and understand what they're gonna face there on the road so it'd be interesting to see what kind of conditions they get how does that hurt or favor them as they go on the road and play in this one extra game how are their bodies going to feel versus against the South Dakota State team that got arrested this week good point let's see Mark barley at midfield [Music] quarterback read Senate some day Lindsay coaches another 10 years I hope so too what a pleasure to talk with this week and what a great year they had again is another undefeated season in the Pioneer League time now for us John to update the brackets my way of the win today by the Uni Panthers over San Diego in the first round 17 to 3 they know this much it's a road trip next week to South Dakota State the weber state set to face the winter whopper Kennesaw State 77 game their Montana wait Southeast Louisiana Villanova James Madison knows that Mama's coming with that high-powered offense left by running back Pete Guerrero you and I mean time will be headed to the Fargodome next week and what fun that'll be right now nichols leads North Dakota at 10 nothing second quarter Austin Peay is beating Furman Illinois State is just wrap up its win and Albany both have advanced to round number two a lot of things happening today as expected and here a great defensive effort by uni John travel safely see you next week named for you this has been a presentation of ESPN for John Gregory Jim barber that's it from the Uni Dome final score once again after 17 three we do appreciate your joining us from Cedar Falls Iowa hope you enjoyed it we'll have the Bison next week in the 3:30 Eastern Time start along with seven other second-round FCS games thanks for joining us once again this has been a presentation of ESPN [Music]

Channel: Wally the Bronco Too

Views: 12,388

Rating: 4.7674417 out of 5

Keywords: 2019 NCAA FCS Championship First Round, San Diego, Northern Iowa

Id: wNVK2BiYjKc

Length: 156min 36sec (9396 seconds)

Published: Mon Dec 02 2019