15 Panthers earn multiple spots on Phil Steele FCS AA, MVFC teams

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – Fifteen Panthers found a spot on the Phil Steele FCS Awards released today.

Jared Brinkman, Matthew Cook and both UNI Penning brothers, Trevor and Jared made the national lists.

Trevor Penning was named offensive lineman of the year and was joined by Jared Brinkman on the FCS all-American first teams lists for offensive and defensive teams, respectively. Matthew Cook was named to the all-American second team for FCS special teams, and Jared Penning made the first team for freshman all-American FCS team.

Trevor Penning, Brinkman and Cook also earned first team all-MVFC honors. Linebacker Spencer Cuvelier also made the all-MFVC first team for defense. Penning was named the offensive lineman of the year, and Brinkman earned defensive player of the year honors. Penning was the first player to be invited to play in the Reese's Senior Bowl set for Feb. 5.

Wide receiver Isaiah Weston earned second team honors on the offense and special teams. Weston was invited to play in two upcoming bowl games, including this weekend's Hula Bowl set in Orlando, Florida, for 11 a.m. CT Jan. 15. Fans can watch on CBS Sports Network. He will turn around and play in the NFLPA Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Jan. 29. The game will air on the NFL Network.

Defensive back Benny Sapp III also earned second team all-MFVC honors for defense. Three Panthers were named to the third team: Jared Penning (offense), defensive lineman Tim Butcher (defense), and linebacker Alfonzo Lambert (defense). Rounding out the fourth team selections for all-MVFC were running backs Bradrick Shaw and Dom Williams who joined offensive linemen Justin Peine and Erik Sorensen on the offensive team. Lineman Caden Houghtelling was named to the defensive team, and punter Nate Murphy earned a spot on special teams.

FCS ALL-AMERICA Teams

First Team Offense: OL Trevor Penning (also offensive lineman of the year)
First Team Defense: DL Jared Brinkman
Second Team Special Teams: K Matthew Cook
First Team Freshman: OL Jared Penning

PHIL STEELE FCS ALL-MFVC TEAM

OFFENSE

First team: OL Trevor Penning (also offensive lineman of the year)
Second team: WR Isaiah Weston
Third team: OL Jared Penning
Fourth team: RB Bradrick Shaw / RB Dom Williams / OL Justin Peine / OL Erik Sorensen

DEFENSE

First team: DL Jared Brinkman (also defensive player of the year) / LB Spencer Cuvelier
Second team: DB Benny Sapp III
Third team: DL Tim Butcher / LB Alfonzo Lambert
Fourth team: DL Caden Houghtelling

SPECIAL TEAMS

First team: PK Matthew Cook
Second team: All-purpose Isaiah Weston
Fourth team: P Nate Murphy

UNI FOOTBALL IN 2021

UNI finished ranked No. 23 in the FCS in the Stats Perform poll. The Panthers have 16 top-25 national finishes under head coach Mark Farley since he took over in 2001.

The team was:

Ninth in nation / Second in MVFC for third down conversion pct defense with 30.5%
Fifth in nation / first in MVFC for 4th down conversion pct defense with 28.6%
Third in nation / first in MVFC for fumbles recovered: 13
First in MVFC for kickoff return defense - 17.65
Eighteenth in nation for passes intercepted - 14 (fourth in MVFC)
Sixth in nation / second in MVFC for passing yards per completion 14.21
Sixth in nation / second in MVFC for rushing defense 87.1
Thirteenth in nation / second in MVFC for scoring defense 18
Fourteenth in nation / second in MVFC for team sacks: 2.92
First in MVFC for team tackles for loss: 6.4
Fourteenth in nation / 2nd in MVFC total defense: 305.3
Fourth in nation / 2nd in MVFC turnovers gained: 27
Third in Massey Index Strength of Schedule

INDIVIDUAL NATIONAL / MFVC STANDINGS

Twelfth in nation / 2nd in MVFC field goal percentage - Matthew Cook / 86.4%
Seventh in nation / 2nd in MVFC field goals per game - Matthew Cook / 1.58
Third in nation / 2nd in MFVC fumbles recovered - Caden Houghtelling - 3
Fourteenth in nation / 4th in MVFC fumbles recovered - Spencer Cuvelier - 2
Third in MVFC interceptions per game - Benny Sapp III - 0.3 (28th nation)
First in nation / MVFC passing yards per completion - Theo Day - 14.9 yards
First in nation / MVFC yards per reception - Isaiah Weston - 23.86
Thirteenth in nation / 1st in MVFC yards per pass attempt - Theo Day 8.37
First in MFVC for most career MVFC wins - Mark Farley 106

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