ROLLA, MO  —  In front of a packed Homecoming crowd at Allgood-Bailey Stadium, Missouri S&T battled Upper Iowa in a back-and-forth contest that saw the Peacocks' dominant ground game prove the difference in a 36-26 final.

Upper Iowa's rushing attack led the way, racking up 249 yards and five touchdowns on the afternoon. Damon Head Jr. shouldered much of the load, finishing with 116 yards and four scores to pace the visitors. Despite the Peacocks' control on the ground, the Miners stayed within striking distance behind another stellar outing from quarterback Jake Farrell (Scottsdale, AZ/Notre Dame Prep), who threw for 363 yards and four touchdowns.

After a slow start saw the Miners fall behind 14-0 in the first quarter, Farrell got the offense rolling midway through the second. He first connected with Tyler Gioia (Huntington Beach, CA/Edison) on an 18-yard strike to cap a 75-yard drive and cut the deficit in half, then found Sam Ryan (Columbia, MO/Father Tolton) streaking down the right sideline for a thrilling 79-yard touchdown that electrified the Homecoming crowd and pulled S&T within one, 14-13.

Momentum seemed to be swinging in the Miners' favor, with S&T getting several key stops on defense in the second quarter. The Miners looked to be in line to take the lead before halftime, until an unfortunate tipped interception late in the half halted a promising drive.

The Peacocks regained control early in the second half, extending their lead with another short rushing score, but Farrell and company continued to fight. Gioia hauled in his second touchdown of the day from 16 yards out late in the third, trimming the deficit to 21-19. Upper Iowa responded with two more touchdown drives in the fourth, putting the game out of reach despite a late 14-yard touchdown grab by Brennen Taranto (Weston, FL/Western) in the final minute.

Ryan led all receivers with 107 yards and a touchdown on four catches, while Justis Braden (Liberty, MO/Liberty North) added 79 yards through the air. Gioia finished with two scores on four receptions for 65 yards. Defensively, Cameron Sturgell (Lamar, MO/Lamar) anchored the Miners with 12 tackles and a tackle for loss, while Seneca Bradley (Clarksville, TN/Rossview) and Bentley Hart (Brookland, AR/Brookland) each recorded one sack and one tackle for loss.

What's Next
The Miners (3-3, 1-2 GLVC) will look to bounce back next weekend when they host Indianapolis for Faculty & Staff Appreciation Day.

Sign up for our email blast at https://minerathletics.com/subscribe.aspx
Follow Miners Football on X and Instagram at @miners_fb.