Running Backs Ready For 2016

Vince Lombardi once said, "The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary." Hard working student-athletes are nothing new around the UNI football program.

The Panthers earn every reward they get. Every yard, every touchdown. That philosophy is no different for this year's running back crew, a group of six guys looking to make an impact on UNI history.

The group consists of three seniors, a junior and two redshirt freshmen. The upperclassmen had the opportunity to play alongside and learn from one of the best to walk, or run, through the UNI-Dome in David Johnson. The newbies are getting to see a level of expectations set by the current seniors, a level that reached new heights in 2015 after the school rushing yard record was shattered.

It is a combination of veteran and youth that will add a spark to the UNI offense that has already caught on fire. A UNI offense that finished 2015 ranked No. 15 in the FCS in rushing. A UNI offense that returns seven of its 11 starters that combined for over half of UNI's 413 points last year.

The Panthers are less than a month away from taking on Iowa State on Sep. 3 at 7 p.m. They are hungry. They are prepared. They are ready for some Panther football.

2016 UNI Running Backs

#25 Trevor Allen | 6-1, 198, R-Fr. | Waukee, Iowa (Waukee HS)
Rushed for a 13-yard touchdown in the 2016 UNI spring game … adds height and size to the running backs group … played football at Waukee High School … three-time Iowa Elite all-state and Iowa all-state … was the Offensive Player of the Year three consecutive seasons at Waukee … rushed for 1,200-plus yards three straight seasons … was on the state championship track team at Waukee, helping his 4X100 and 4X200 meter relay teams to school records.

#34 J'Veyon Browning | 5-9, 195, Jr. | Kansas City, Kan. (F.L. Schlagle HS)
Had 63 yards on the ground in the 2016 spring game, adding two catches for 16 yards … saw action in 11 games in 2015 as a reserve running back and as an integral part of special teams … notched 15 carries in 2015 for 68 yards, averaging 4.5 yards per carry … pulled in 37 rushing yards against Missouri State in 2015, along with a season-long 19-yard rush in UNI's playoff win over #24 Eastern Illinois.

#44 Wes Burnside | 5-9, 202, Sr. | Dysart, Iowa (Union HS/Iowa Central CC)
Has shown his athleticism and ability to find small holes in the defensive line in spring and fall practices … started his college playing career at Iowa Central … played high school football at Union High School in La Porte City, Iowa, earning MVP honors at the 2011 3A state championship game in 2011.

#37 Aaron Graham | 6-1, 189, R-Fr. | Oak Grove, Mo. (Oak Grove HS)
Was a three-year starter at Oak Grove … adds more height to UNI's running back group … ranked ninth all-time in the state of Missouri for rushing yards in a season with 2,934 in 2014, also racking up a career 8,991 all-purpose yards to rank No. 5 in the state … scored 96 touchdowns in high school … three-time all-state running back … earned Missouri Class 3 Offensive Player of the Year in 2014 … four-time all-conference and all-district team selection.

#31 Michael Malloy | 6-0, 210, Sr. | Sioux City, Iowa (Bishop Heelan HS/Univ. of Iowa)
Transferred to UNI from Iowa in 2014 … had a standout year in 2015, playing in 12 games and starting in five … quickly showed that he was a versatile offensive threat, rushing for 152 yards and two touchdowns, adding 269 yards through the air and three touchdowns … also had 98 yards on kickoff returns … had a career-long 49-yard receiving touchdown against Southern Illinois in 2015 … scored touchdowns against Top-15 ranked Eastern Washington and North Dakota State last season.

#32 Tyvis Smith | 6-3, 224, Sr. | Davenport, Iowa (Central HS)
Was named to the preseason All-MVFC honorable mention team … asserted himself as one of the more dominant running backs in the MVFC in 2015 … rushed for 1,000-plus yards, ranking himself No. 25 in the FCS in rushing yards per carry and No. 23 in total rushing yards … had four straight games with 100-plus rushing yard in four of the last five games of the year … racked up a career-high 207 yards on 21 carries for two touchdowns against #5 Portland State … earned MVFC honorable mention after finishing the season ranked in the top-10 in the league in rushing yards.

Calendar

Upcoming Events

Running Backs Ready For 2016

Players Mentioned

Trevor Allen

J'Veyon Browning

Aaron Graham

Michael Malloy

Tyvis Smith

Upcoming Events