Upper Iowa Hopes To Upset Nation’s No. 1 Team [Audio]

After nearly upsetting 25th-ranked Minnesota-Duluth on the road last weekend, the Upper Iowa football team faces an even tougher test when the Peacocks host top-ranked Minnesota State-Mankato on Saturday (Oct. 3, 2015).

Upper Iowa is seeking its first win in the nine-game series, which began in 2004 and 2005 when the Peacocks were transitioning to NCAA Division II and then was restarted when the Mavericks gained membership into the Northern Sun Conference (NSIC) prior to the 2008 season. The Peacocks have struggled in each of the nine games, scoring an average of just 9.6 points.

In 2014, Upper Iowa owned a 14-7 advantage in the second quarter in a 45-14 loss on the road. This season, the Peacocks are hoping to give Minnesota State-Mankato a challenge.

The numbers suggest Saturday's meeting could be a low-scoring game. Statistically, the Peacocks and Mavericks boast two of the best defenses in the nation. Minnesota State-Mankato is allowing just 7.5 points per game (2nd in NCAA Division II), while Upper Iowa has given up an average of just 13.3 points (12th).

Success on third-down could determine the winner. The two teams are holding opponents to the lowest third-down conversion rates in the league play. The Mavericks have allowed just 23-percent of their competition's third downs to be converted, while Upper Iowa is giving up a new set of downs just 24.6-percent of the time.

Ball security will be another big key for Upper Iowa. The Peacocks are leading the nation in lack of turnovers, losing just one fumble all season.

Kick-off is set for 6 p.m. Saturday at Harms-Eischeid Stadium in Fayette.

Upper Iowa football can be heard throughout the 2015 season on AM-950 KOEL with play-by-play announcer Joe Stasi, who's entering his 13th season as the "Voice of the Peacocks." For the fourth consecutive year, Stasi will be joined on the broadcast by Zach Carlyle, a recent graduate (2015) of Upper Iowa. The pre-game show is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m.

For more insight on Saturday's game, click on the audio below. Upper Iowa football play-by-play announcer Joe Stasi previews the game with KOEL Sports Director Elwin Huffman.