CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) Nathan Knuffman kicked a field goal and David Griffith made a game-clinching interception, all in the final 3:18, as Western Illinois defeated Northern Iowa 24-19 on Saturday.
The Leathernecks (4-2, 3-0 Missouri Valley Conference) led all the way, taking a 7-0 first-quarter lead when Aaron Diggs snagged an interception and ran 95 yards to score. Knuffman's final field goal was from 23 yards.
Northern Iowa (2-4, 0-3) rallied with a pair of TDs after halftime - Deiondre' Hall scoring on a 32-yard interception return, and Aaron Bailey punching across from the 5. Bailey's TD pulled the Panthers to 21-19 after a two-point conversion pass failed with 6:35 remaining. Hall's second pick this season makes four career interceptions, breaking the school record.
Trenton Norvell completed 25 of 36 passes for 263 yards. Nikko Watson gained 115 yards on 35 carries.
UNI's Sawyer Kollmorgen and Aaron Bailey were each intercepted once and combined for 170 yards passing.
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