Panther football falls to North Dakota State in season finale

Saturday, November 18

Cedar Falls, Iowa

4 p.m.

University of Northern Iowa

6-5 , 5-3

North Dakota State

8-3 , 5-3

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

North Dakota St.

UNI

Photo by: Eli Hull

Panther football falls to North Dakota State in season finale

11/18/2023 8:20:00 PM | Football

Box Score Final Stats Photo Gallery

Sam Schnee hauls in 164 receiving yards as UNI finishes the regular season with a 6-5 record.

CEDAR FALLS --- UNI struggled with four turnovers and to stop North Dakota State's high-powered offense as the Panthers fell to the Bison by a score of 48-27 on Senior Day inside the UNI-Dome.

HOW IT HAPPENED
North Dakota State opened the afternoon converting on a fourth down and four play with a 36-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Cam Miller to Eli Green to give the Bison an early 7-0 lead. The Panthers marched 62 yards down field on their opening drive in 12 plays for Matthew Cook to convert on a 26-yard field goal to cut into the NDSU lead.

The Bison would score on their second possession with a ten-play, 75-yard scoring drive capped by a one-yard touchdown run by Miller to put NDSU ahead 14-3. After a short punt by Northern Iowa on its second possession, the Bison took advantage and scored on a 15-yard touchdown reception from Miller to RaJa Nelson, extending the NDSU lead to 21-3.

The Panthers would find the end zone on their next possession, set up by a 17-yard reception from Theo Day to Layne Pryor, and a 22-yard catch by Sergio Morancy. Tye Edwards would tie his season-high with a 40-yard run to the right corner of the end zone, cutting the Bison lead to 21-10. Northern Iowa would force NDSU to punt for the first time, but would give the Bison the ball back one play later on an interception by Day.

Although NDSU started at their own 17-yard line, the Panther defense held the Bison to just a field goal with a 34-yard attempt from Griffin Crosa. Another Panther interception gave the ball back to NDSU on the UNI 48 yard line which the Bison converted into a 37-yard field goal from Crosa to end the first half with a 27-10 lead.

UNI opened the second half with the ball and drove to the 12 yard line before being forced to kick their second field goal of the day. Matthew Cook drove home the 29-yard attempt for the 13th Panther point of the game. The defense came out hot and got a stop to force a punt, but the subsequent punt by Northern Iowa led to a 65-yard rushing touchdown by backup NDSU quarterback Cole Payton.

The first UNI touchdown of the second half came on an 11-yard receptin from Day to Sam Schnee following a 26-yard reception from Schnee to set up the score. On defense, two third-and-long conversions for the Bison offense led to a 23-yard touchdown on the ground for Payton. The tables wouldn't turn for UNI as the offense would turn the ball over on a pick-six at the UNI 25-yard line. UNI followed the NDSU defensive score with their own touchdown on a 15-yard reception from Amauri Pesek-Hickson.

Northern Iowa's defense forced another NDSU punt on the subsequent drive which was downed at the UNI one-yard line. The drive resulted in the fourth Panther pick of the game on the Northern Iowa 48-yard line. UNI's defense stood tall and forced another Bison punt which led to a turnover on downs and a kneel out of the clock by NDSU.

Schnee led the game with 164 receiving yards on eight receptions. Edwards finished with 67 rushing yards and a touchdown while Pesek-Hickson recorded 41 rushing yards, 38 receiving yards, and a receiving touchdown. Day threw for 342 yards on 24 completions and two touchdowns. On defense, Dalesean Staley notched nine total tackles, including six solo stops, while Corry Thomas Jr. and Khristian Boyd both tallied seven tackles.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Prior to kickoff, UNI honored their 18 senior players, including Cordarrius Bailey, Caden Houghtelling, Devin Rice, Theo Day, Logan Wolf, Sam Schnee, Rolliann Sturkey, Liam McComas, Woo Governor, Dawson Fenton, Jake McLaughlin, Isaiah Garman, Chase Arends, Wes Hine, Alex Allen, Cartez Crook-Jones, Matthew Cook and Khristian Boyd.
The all-time series record now sits at 30-26 in favor of the Bison and 12-4 in Cedar Falls.
The Panthers finish the regular season with a record of 6-5 and have notched a .500 or better season under Farley in 19 of his 23 seasons.
Sam Schnee is now seventh in all-time receiving yards after a 164-yard performance. He passed Dave Schooley (1973-75), Ken Harvey (1980-81), Jake Soliday (1997-01), Daurice Fountain (2014-17).
Theo Day moved up to fourth on the all-time total offense list for UNI with 8,267 yards of total offense passing Jay Johnson (1989-92). He also became one of five UNI quarterback to surpass 8,000 career passing yards after a 342-yard performance, joining Ryan Helming (9089) 1997-00, Mike Smith (9067) 1984-87, Eric Sanders (9012) 2004-07, and Jay Johnson (8341) 1989-92.