Northern Iowa Tops Eastern Illinois in I-AA Playoffs


EIU Sports Information
CHARLESTON, IL. -- Adam Benge scored four touchdowns and ran for 177 yards as Northern Iowa held on for a 49-43 win over Eastern Illinois University in the first round of the NCAA I-AA football playoffs.

Eastern (9-2) jumped on top 7-0 on a 15 yard touchdown pass from Tony Romo to Frank Cutolo midway through the first quarter. But UNI (10-2) came back to tie it on the next possession on an eight yard pass from Griff Jurgens to Reid Seitz, and then took the lead for good at 10-7 on a 45 yard field goal by Mac Hoambrecker.

Benge scored twice on one yard runs, had a six yard touchdown run and then a three yarder with 10:49 left in the game which proved to be the game winning score as it put UNI ahead 46-36.

Romo threw a three yard touchdown pass to Brandon Robinson with 3:27 left to pull EIU within six at 49-43 but Northern Iowa responded by controlling the last series to run out the clock.

Jurgens completed 16-29 for 235 yards and one TD pass. Wide receiver Jake Soliday caught six passes for 122 yards as UNI had 476 yards total offense. Romo completed 22 of 34 for EIU with five touchdown passes. Frank Cutolo caught 11 for 217 including three touchdown receptions of 15, 39 and 71.

J.R. Taylor rushed for 154 yards for Eastern which had 525 yards total offense.