UISC isn’t different from any other flag-football team. The players wear matching shirts and cleats and participate to have a little fun between their graduate studies.

But when this team steps onto the gridiron, it dominates. Every time.

UISC has lost only one game in the last three-plus seasons, a run that includes a National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association championship in 2006 and a regional victory last season.

So far 2-0 this year, including a 66-point victory on Sunday, one may assume that an organized style of ball is the source of success.

Yet, there really is no secret to UISC’s strategy.

“We have three rules: no plays, no huddles, and no punts,” said team captain Reed McManigal, a UI law student.

Team members seem to agree.

“It’s about the Jimmys and the Joes, not the Xs and the Os,” said UI medical student Kyle Duchman.

On offense, the first option is a deep pass.

“We just have so many targets at receiver,” quarterback Clark Anderson said. “Basically, so long as I can scramble around awhile, somebody is going to get open.”

Should the play break down, laterals keep it going. UISC players pitch the ball behind them and run to the other side of the field as many times as possible.

While opponents have complained, the team takes advantage of one of the many rules that separate flag football from tackle. In this case, when the ball touches the ground, it’s dead. So even if a lateral fails, UISC retains possession.

With the toss-and-dash strategy, the team’s speed and athleticism prove potent. The squad sports three former Iowa football walk-ons, including Chris Aldrich, the Iowa high-school single-season receiving-yards record holder.

“We just go out and have fun, and I think that probably helps us out a lot,” he said.

Anderson agreed, but emphasized that victory was part of the enjoyment.

“It’s like a never-ending circle,” he said. “We go out, we win, and it’s fun. And then we go, and we have fun, and then we win.”

If the team can keep the winning streak going, it appears poised for another championship and perhaps another shot at the national title. But with all the possible accolades, the team actually has another goal the members want to achieve.

“We want to play in the frat league,” said Nick Kron, a recent addition to the team. “They’re generally overrated, and they’re the most fun to beat.”