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CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) — Aaron Bailey threw for three touchdowns and Tyvis Smith rushed for 147 yards and a score to lead Northern Iowa to a 53-17 win over Eastern Illinois in the FCS playoffs on Saturday night.
Bailey only threw 11 passes, completing 7 for 162 yards.
Northern Iowa (8-4) plays at sixth-seeded Portland State in the second round.
Northern Iowa broke the game open in the second quarter as Michael Schmadeke kicked three of his four field goals, Bailey hit Daurice Fountain for a 32-yard score and Smith scored on a 1-yard run for a 23-7 lead.
Bailey connected with Charles Brown on a 52-yard score and Fountain for 41 yards when Northern Iowa built the lead to 43-17 after three quarters.
Ray Buchanan Jr. added a 70-yard interception return to close it out.
Jalen Whitlow completed 27 of 49 passes with one touchdown but had two interceptions for Eastern Illinois (7-5), which had four turnovers.
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