South Dakota St holds off Northern Iowa, 31-28

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- South Dakota State kicker Justin Syrovatka made a 44-yard field goal with 1:47 left to play and Melvin Taveras intercepted a Brion Carnes pass at his 3-yard line to seal a 31-28 Missouri Valley Football Conference win over Northern Iowa. Syrovatka was perfect on four PATs and the game-winning field goal as the Jackrabbits notched their first FCS win at UNI. "It is not like we drew it up," SDSU coach John Stiegelmeier said. "We won a football game that should have been a little easier." SDSU (5-2, 2-1 MVFC) led 28-14 with 8:58 to play after scoring 21 straight points. But UNI (3-4, 1-2) got a 2-yard TD run by David Johnson and minutes later a 58-yard interception return for a score by Ray Mitchell with 3:29 left to tie it 28-28. The Jacks came right back, going 44 yards on six plays to set up Syrovatka's winner.