Iowa State’s chances for victory in Jack Trice Saturday night took two big hits in the first half on special teams mistakes.

Late in the first quarter, with Iowa State leading 6-3, the Cyclone defense forced the Panthers to go three-and-out. The UNI punting unit came onto the field, giving the Cyclones a chance to take the ball and control of the game.

But the ensuing punt was muffed by returner Zac Sandvig and the Panthers recovered on the ISU 15-yard line, which set up an easy score to put Northern Iowa on top for good at 10-6.

Iowa State answered with another special teams misfire after Bret Culbertson missed a 49-yard field goal, setting up Northern Iowa’s momentum swinging 18-play marathon drive.

Coach Gene Chizik said it was the fumbled punt that started Iowa State down the road to defeat.

“One of the turnovers was a young returner who wanted to get another chance,” Chizik said. “He kind of had the same problem last week and he did it again, so we replaced him.

“That was one critical turnover early in the game that gave them field position and everything else. That was tough.”

Sandvig fumbled two punts last week as well, although they were both recovered by Iowa State. Drenard Williams handled punt return duties after the turnover.

Defensive back James Smith said a turnover like that can hurt the defense, especially after such a good series produced a three-and-out.

“That’s very hard on us; we worked very hard to get that three-and-out and then something happens and we’re right back out there again,” Smith said. “In the future, we’re hoping that doesn’t happen again.”

The turnover didn’t seem to completely demoralize the Cyclones, as they came right back with a 41-yard kickoff return to near midfield. But the drive stalled, and Culbertson’s 49-yard field goal attempt missed wide right.

The Panthers’ ensuing drive was an impressive 18-play, 69-yard drive that took up over six-and-a-half minutes midway through the second quarter, capped by a five-yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-two.

“They had an 18-play drive in the second quarter,” Chizik said. “We couldn’t get them off the field. That’s not acceptable.”

The drive seemed to strengthen UNI’s control of the flow of the game, as Iowa State’s offense would not run a play inside the red zone again until the final minute of the third quarter.

Smith said the drive was a big momentum swing and the Cyclone defense needs to eliminate any similar drives going forward.

“It takes a lot out of us, but we should be able to handle that,” Smith said. “Still, we have to shorten those drives out. We need to get more three and outs.

“But they came out there and they stuck us to it. They came out and really gave it to us and they came out on top. They earned it.”