SDSU

Jacks' kicker makes up for previous miss with game-winner

Terry Vandrovec
tvandrovec@argusleader.com

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – Justin Syrovatka on Saturday hit a 44-yard field goal that provided No. 18-ranked South Dakota State with the decisive points in its first win at No. 20 Northern Iowa since 1978. The fifth-year senior called it the biggest kick of his career – and there are plenty to choose from at this point.

However, Syrovatka copped to being fixated on a miss leading up to the crucial make that came with 1:47 to go in a 28-all game.

"Kind of made up for last year's against UNI in the fourth quarter," he said. "I was thinking about that a lot, and just went out there and got it done."

Jacks hold off UNI on the road for first time since 1978

Last year, the Roosevelt High grad missed a 45-yard attempt against the Panthers with 6:35 remaining and the score tied at 28-28. Apparently, he hung onto that even though SDSU won the game in double overtime in Brookings.

Still, there have been more highs than lows for the 5-foot-9, 205-pound Syrovatka. Somewhat quietly, he's having a stellar career. He ranks second in the history of a program that's produced some good kickers – Adam Vinatieri, anyone? – for career field goals (44), holds the record for consecutive makes (15) and is 126 of 128 on PATs.

This season, he's 9-for-10 on field goals, with at least one make in every game.

His career took off almost by accident, Syrovatka taking over placekicking duties during his redshirt freshman season when starter Kyle Harris broke his leg in freak fashion during a kick off.

"He's thrives on that type of thing," coach John Stiegelmeier said of the heroics at the UNI-Dome. "He's been confident his whole career. ... We've got faith in him."

Senior DE Sherlock impresses in return

Jack Sherlock looked like a new man in his return from a one-game absence because of injury.

The SDSU senior defensive end totaled six tackles with 3.5 tackles for loss and two sacks against the Panthers (3-4, 1-2). Coming in, he had six tackles for the season and no sacks or tackles for loss.

His performance Saturday was in line with what the Jacks have been expecting from the captain – and it was key to getting a win. SDSU finished even with the Panthers – the top pass rushers in the Missouri Valley Football Conference through six games – in terms of sacks (4-4) and had an edge in tackles for loss (10-6).

Did the 6-4, 250-pounder from Chicago – a third generation NCAA Division I football player – simply have a good matchup on the edge?

"I think it was more motivation," he said. "I know I had to come back and prove something."

Notes: SDSU has won four dome games in a row – all on the road, obviously – dating back to last season. Prior to that, the Jacks were 1-9 in domes since moving to the FCS in 2004.

• Jacks senior running back Zach Zenner was held under 100 yards rushing for the first time this season, although he still cracked the 1,000-yard mark for the campaign. SDSU had lost four games in a row when Zenner failed to reach triple figures dating back to 2012.

• This week, the Jacks (5-2, 2-1) host nationally ranked Youngstown State (5-2, 2-1) for Hobo Day. SDSU has won six in a row in the series.

At a Glance

Weekend: The Jacks used a 21-point surge after halftime against Northern Iowa to set the stage for a 44-yard field goal by kicker Justin Syrovatka with 1:47 to go. SDSU won 31-28, securing its first win at the UNI-Dome since 1978.

Next: SDSU (5-2, 2-1 MVFC) plays host to Youngstown St. (5-2, 2-1) on Saturday at 2 p.m.