UISC looks poised to make another run at the flag-football All-University Championship — and the players aren’t hiding it.

“We assumed we would be here,” UISC player Reed McManigal said. “I see us winning it all. I don’t think many people can argue with that.”

The defending champions extended their playoff run in the Nile Kinnick region Tuesday night, defeating There is Nothing Funny, 26-6, and improving to 6-0 on the season.

The victory brings UISC within two games of returning to the All-University Championship tournament, which is made up of the champion from each of the flag-football leagues — two from the Men’s Open League.

With the loss, There is Nothing Funny finished the season with a 6-1 record.

UISC set the tone right from the get-go. In the squad’s first series, UISC quarterback Clark Anderson orchestrated an 11-play drive, connecting with four different receivers and capping the drive off with a touchdown pass to Caleb Recker.

There is Nothing Funny responded with a quick touchdown reception by Kyle Merten to make the score 6-6 early in the second quarter.

It looked as though There is Nothing Funny would give UISC all it could handle — until a crucial interception by Chris Alrich in the second quarter.

The second-year dental student and UISC defender picked off a shovel pass in the red zone and returned it for a touchdown, giving UISC a 12-6 lead.

Alrich and fellow defender Anderson had just called a defensive audible right before the play.

“Clark had just told me to move up,” Alrich said. “I just jumped it and read it perfectly. But it was all about communication.”

The pick-six gave UISC the wake-up call it needed, and the team was relentless on both sides of the ball in the second-half.

The squad’s defense forced a turnover on downs on both of There is Nothing Funny’s second-half possessions.

Nick Kron blitzed on nearly every play, notching two sacks in the game.

Using a series of laterals on offense, UISC sustained several long drives to wear down the There is Nothing Funny defenders.

Anderson completed 20-of-29 passes, tossing two touchdowns and running for another.

McManigal led the UISC receiving corp with two touchdowns, including a diving grab in the back of the end zone.

After the game the defending champs complimented their opponents.

“They were the best defense we’ve seen all year,” Alrich said. “They made it difficult for us to move the ball.”

Although there was nothing humorous about the team’s 20-point loss, There is Nothing Funny appeared upbeat about the season.

“We figured since we were the cutest team, we might be able to distract them,” joked Josh Doyle, There is Nothing Funny’s quarterback. “But that didn’t work out for us. They are a talented team, and they took it to us tonight.”