UNI football earns national team of the week honors
11/1/2021 1:13:00 PM | Football
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – Back to back top-10 wins pushed UNI football up in the rankings and earned the team the national FCS team honor from Stats Perform.
UNI (5-3 overall / 3-2 MVFC) is coming off a 23-16 win over then-ranked No. 3 Southern Illinois. The Panthers overcame a 13-3 deficit, going ahead for the first time 20-16 on Theo Day's 10-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Fourtenbary late in the third quarter. Matthew Cook kicked three field goals, while defensive end Caden Houghtelling had a fumble recovery and interception.
Punter Nate Murphy was the second consecutive Panther to earn Missouri Valley Football Conference player of the week honors. Cook was POW the week prior.
It was the second consecutive week UNI knocked off a top-10 team and the 42nd time since 1985. The Panthers won at then-ranked No. 6 South Dakota State a week earlier.
The two wins pushed UNI up to No. 13 in the Stats Perform rankings.
UP NEXT:
UNI will hit the road for two games before returning to wrap up the regular season at home against Western Illinois on Nov. 20. The Panthers face the Redbirds of Illinois State at noon CT Nov. 6. In addition to the Panthers Sports Radio Network, fans can tune into ESPN+ for the game.
UNI has won the last three matchups with Illinois State. In the last game, UNI won 20-10 March 6, 2021. Illinois State (3-5 overall / 1-4 MVFC) is coming off a 38-31 loss to Western Illinois.
UNI (5-3 overall / 3-2 MVFC) is coming off a 23-16 win over then-ranked No. 3 Southern Illinois. The Panthers overcame a 13-3 deficit, going ahead for the first time 20-16 on Theo Day's 10-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Fourtenbary late in the third quarter. Matthew Cook kicked three field goals, while defensive end Caden Houghtelling had a fumble recovery and interception.
Punter Nate Murphy was the second consecutive Panther to earn Missouri Valley Football Conference player of the week honors. Cook was POW the week prior.
It was the second consecutive week UNI knocked off a top-10 team and the 42nd time since 1985. The Panthers won at then-ranked No. 6 South Dakota State a week earlier.
The two wins pushed UNI up to No. 13 in the Stats Perform rankings.
UP NEXT:
UNI will hit the road for two games before returning to wrap up the regular season at home against Western Illinois on Nov. 20. The Panthers face the Redbirds of Illinois State at noon CT Nov. 6. In addition to the Panthers Sports Radio Network, fans can tune into ESPN+ for the game.
UNI has won the last three matchups with Illinois State. In the last game, UNI won 20-10 March 6, 2021. Illinois State (3-5 overall / 1-4 MVFC) is coming off a 38-31 loss to Western Illinois.
Players Mentioned
UNI Panther Football: The Best Pod of your Day (Episode 3)
Wednesday, September 10
Todd Stepsis Press Conference, Sep. 8, 2025
Tuesday, September 09
Panther soccer scores second straight shutout against St. Ambrose
Saturday, September 06
PST: Todd Stepsis - Sept. 5, 2025 (Part 1 of 3)
Friday, September 05