The Bonding of UNI's Quarterbacks
8/10/2017 9:50:00 AM | Football
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – University of Northern Iowa quarterbacks coach and co-offensive coordinator John Bond knows that the signal caller is a pretty important piece of a football roster.
"Reggie Jackson, Mr. October, said it best 'it's the straw that stirs the drink,'" Bond said.
The Panthers have that bona fide starter in junior Eli Dunne (Grinnell, Iowa). Dunne saw action in five games last season and led the team with 95 completions for 1,175 passing yards and seven touchdown tosses. In a 61-7 win over Missouri State, Dunne passed for 418 yards and earned Missouri Valley Football Conference and national player of the week honors. He was the first UNI quarterback to throw for 400-plus yards since 2009.
"Eli has a physical presence in the pocket at 6'5", 238 pounds," Bond said. "He is big, strong and smart. He can make any throw on the field. Eli has had an outstanding camp and I'm excited about him and our football team."
With Dunne locked in as the starter, Bond said he is looking to determine who is No. 2 and that is less than clear at this point.
"We have to find some consistency," Bond said. "The backup quarterback doesn't have to go out and win a game, he just has to manage it. You don't turn it over and you keep the offense in good situations."
Bond said all three of the potential backup quarterbacks – junior Colton Howell (Wichita, Kansas), redshirt freshman Christian Ellsworth (Grand Island, Nebraska) and senior Reggie Schulte (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) – all bring something to the table that is different.
There is also a trio of newcomers in camp at the quarterback position and Bond is excited about the prospects of each of them.
"Jacob Keller is a talented guy that has to grasp the mental aspect of the position," Bond said. "He can run the ball, he can throw the ball and he is fast. Cameron Perkins is a guy we signed late out of Georgia. He was the league MVP rom the same conference that produced Clemson's DeShaun Watson. Cameron has a chance to be a good passer. John Sullivan has been a pleasant surprise. He is smart, tall and throws the ball extremely well."
Bond said he knows the Panther quarterbacks can be successful because of all the weapons that the UNI offense possesses.
"We got a great hire in Mike Simmonds on the offensive line," Bond said. "He has toughened up the offensive line and that old Northern Iowa toughness is back. It is a big, physical group and needs to be the strength of our football team. If you can run the ball, then you can throw the ball. If you can run it, it opens up everything else. Our wide receivers are long and athletic. We have to patient with them because they are young, but the wide outs can be strength of our as the season goes along."
Bond has experience in the MVFC after previous coaching stops at Missouri State and Illinois State.
"I've always respected UNI," Bond said. "You better be strapped up and ready for an all-day affair. You have to keep those chin straps tight because these corn-fed boys will bring it. This league has gotten bigger, faster and stronger. It's the SEC of the FCS – no doubt about it."
"Reggie Jackson, Mr. October, said it best 'it's the straw that stirs the drink,'" Bond said.
The Panthers have that bona fide starter in junior Eli Dunne (Grinnell, Iowa). Dunne saw action in five games last season and led the team with 95 completions for 1,175 passing yards and seven touchdown tosses. In a 61-7 win over Missouri State, Dunne passed for 418 yards and earned Missouri Valley Football Conference and national player of the week honors. He was the first UNI quarterback to throw for 400-plus yards since 2009.
"Eli has a physical presence in the pocket at 6'5", 238 pounds," Bond said. "He is big, strong and smart. He can make any throw on the field. Eli has had an outstanding camp and I'm excited about him and our football team."
With Dunne locked in as the starter, Bond said he is looking to determine who is No. 2 and that is less than clear at this point.
"We have to find some consistency," Bond said. "The backup quarterback doesn't have to go out and win a game, he just has to manage it. You don't turn it over and you keep the offense in good situations."
Bond said all three of the potential backup quarterbacks – junior Colton Howell (Wichita, Kansas), redshirt freshman Christian Ellsworth (Grand Island, Nebraska) and senior Reggie Schulte (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) – all bring something to the table that is different.
There is also a trio of newcomers in camp at the quarterback position and Bond is excited about the prospects of each of them.
"Jacob Keller is a talented guy that has to grasp the mental aspect of the position," Bond said. "He can run the ball, he can throw the ball and he is fast. Cameron Perkins is a guy we signed late out of Georgia. He was the league MVP rom the same conference that produced Clemson's DeShaun Watson. Cameron has a chance to be a good passer. John Sullivan has been a pleasant surprise. He is smart, tall and throws the ball extremely well."
Bond said he knows the Panther quarterbacks can be successful because of all the weapons that the UNI offense possesses.
"We got a great hire in Mike Simmonds on the offensive line," Bond said. "He has toughened up the offensive line and that old Northern Iowa toughness is back. It is a big, physical group and needs to be the strength of our football team. If you can run the ball, then you can throw the ball. If you can run it, it opens up everything else. Our wide receivers are long and athletic. We have to patient with them because they are young, but the wide outs can be strength of our as the season goes along."
Bond has experience in the MVFC after previous coaching stops at Missouri State and Illinois State.
"I've always respected UNI," Bond said. "You better be strapped up and ready for an all-day affair. You have to keep those chin straps tight because these corn-fed boys will bring it. This league has gotten bigger, faster and stronger. It's the SEC of the FCS – no doubt about it."
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