UNI knocks down Sycamores

Locked in a physical battle to remain in the Missouri Valley Football Conference lead, a winded Northern Iowa defense needed to make a play, any play, to slow Indiana State's march for a potential go-ahead touchdown.
Enter the nation's best at taking the ball away.
Linebacker L.J. Fort caused a key fourth-quarter fumble as the No. 2-ranked Panthers fended off the challenge of No. 17 Indiana State, 23-9, in front of a packed house Saturday at the UNI-Dome for Homecoming.
Northern Iowa (4-1, 3-0) led 10-9 at the half and its advantage stood at 13-9 going into the fourth quarter. The Panthers went for it on fourth-and-goal at the 1 and the Sycamores (4-2, 2-1) held by stopping running back David Johnson for a 1-yard loss.
Indiana State went on to move 77 yards in 13 plays, getting two third-down conversions (its only of the game) and a fourth-down conversion (also the only of the contest) to approach the goal line.
Fort, who earlier in the series had an interception return touchdown called back by a penalty, was able to strip the ball from running back George Cheeseborough. James Conley recovered and six plays later the UNI offense put in a touchdown for a much-safer 20-9 lead with 4:13 left.
Coming into the weekend, Fort was the FCS leader in forced fumbles and now has five on the season.
"Our defense was starting to get gassed, I ran that pick back, then had to go right back and they drove the whole field on us," Fort said. "We knew we had to get off the field and make a play."
"I stripped it, it came loose a little bit and I finished popping it out," he added.
Fort also led the team with 12 tackles, just off his average of 12.75 per game that ranks second in FCS.
"It's his maturity," UNI head coach Mark Farley said of Fort's play as a senior. "He's always been a great football player, but he's a different person this season."
"It's pleasing for me to see how he's developed as a man. I think that's what's making a difference in the kind of player he is on the field," Farley added.
The win was the 11th in a row for the Panthers over the Sycamores at the UNI-Dome, but this one wasn't anywhere as easy as the last few meetings.
"Anytime you play here, it's tough enough," said Indiana State head coach Trent Miles. "You put the ball on the ground with a chance to go ahead in the fourth quarter and you miss seven points worth of kicks playing a team that is No. 2 in the nation, you are not going to win on the road."
Saturday's crowd of 16,890 - the third-largest all-time at the UNI-Dome - saw a heavy dose of 'Bell' in the first half.
Indiana State running back Shakir Bell had an outstanding first half with 14 carries for 145 yards. Bell entered second in FCS in rushing at 153.4 yards per game. The 5-foot-8, 185-pounder showcased both speed and power, but left the game with 3:24 left in the first half due to a head injury.
Bell finished with five runs of 15 or more yards and his not being available in the second half changed the scene.
The Panther defense regrouped in the second half and was able to protect the lead.
"Last year we couldn't finish in the fourth quarter," said UNI defensive tackle Ben Boothby, who had two sacks," but this year definitely we have a different mentality."
Tirrell Rennie had 17 carries for 93 yards for Northern Iowa to go with 10-for-14 passing for 142 yards and a score. Johnson added 92 yards on 20 carries with a touchdown.
On the drive after Fort forced the fumble, Terrell Sinkfield caught a 36-yard touchdown pass from Rennie. It was the first scoring catch of Sinkfield's career in his 21st game.
"Each week he's gotten a little bit better and more confident," Farley said of Sinkfield. "That particular play in a critical situation was a huge. Terrell ran that ball down."
Tyler Sievertsen was 3-for-3 on field goals, while the defense got a boost from the 10 tackles and interception contributed by Jordan Smith.
"I'm very pleased with how our team played a complete game, steady game, start to finish," Farley said.
Northern Iowa travels to South Dakota State next Saturday for a conference contest against the Jackrabbits. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. and will be broadcast online by ESPN3.com.
"Being No. 2 in the nation puts a big target on our back, but at the same time we embrace that target and take on that challenge," Rennie said. "We're not afraid to have our back against the wall and come out swinging."