CEDAR FALLS, Iowa. — #4 Bethune-Cookman brought a stingy defense with them and outlasted #8 Northern Iowa 24-17 in the Atlantic Sun Game of the Week presented by Cookout.

The Wildcats defense came into the game giving up an average of 255 yards and 20 points per game and facing against a Panther offense that averaged 35 points per game through the first four games of the season. With the line set at 58.5 many were expecting the UNI-Dome to host a shootout in Week 5. However both teams packed their defense when preparing for the game as the respective offenses failed to convert on 10 of the 18 drives.

Bethune-Cookman came out strong, forcing a fumble on the Panther’s first possession with 4:26 left in the first, but failed to convert. Northern Iowa returned the favor two minutes later with an interception that lead to a touchdown. After jumping out to an early lead the Panther defense gave up a touchdown as time expired in the first, leaving the score knotted at 7-7.

The second quarter started with another Northern Iowa fumble but the Wildcats were only able to score a field goal after the turnover. With 3:14 left to play before halftime the Panthers were lined up at the opponent’s 40 yard line before fumbling again! The half ended with another Wildcat field goal to stretch the lead to 13-7.

The second half of the defensive clinic began with yet another turnover as Northern Iowa read the Wildcat quarterback and picked the ball off at the 22 yard line. Five plays later the Panthers took a 14-13 lead with 3:09 left in the 3rd. The Wildcats took a chance on the ensuing possession and sent the field goal unit out to kick a 50-yard field goal. The wind picked up at just the right time and pushed the ball through the uprights to give Bethune-Cookman a 16-13 lead.

Northern Iowa fumbled the ball away again on the next possession and the Wildcats scored with 3:03 left in the game. Inexplicably the Bethune-Cookman coach signaled for the offense to stay out there and try for the two-point conversion. It was successful, much to his relief, and he explained the confusion later in the post-game press conference.

“wait. [explative]. I THOUGHT [WE WERE] UP 7. OH MY GOD.”

Northern Iowa kicked a 34-yard field goal with 1:59 left to cut the deficit to the aforementioned 7 but despite stopping the Wildcats and getting the ball back with four seconds left, the hail-mary pass was dropped in the end zone and time expired.

Bethune-Cookman improves to 5-0 on the season much to every other coach in the group-text-message-chain’s chagrin. They are scheduled to face hapless Jacksonville in Week 6. Northern Iowa sits at 4-1 and resets for the enigma that is Drake.