University of Northern Iowa Athletics
University of Northern Iowa
Iowa State
Panther football opens at Iowa State this Saturday
8/28/2023 1:40:00 PM | Football
No. 20 UNI kicks off 125th season against in-state rival Cyclones.
#23/20 UNI football (0-0 / 0-0 MVFC) at Iowa State (0-0 / 0-0 Big 12)
- 1 p.m. CT | Sept. 2, 2023
- Jack Trice Stadium (61,500) | Ames, Iowa
- Big 12 Now / ESPN+ (Shawn Kenney: Play-by-Play / Todd Doxzon: Analyst)
- Panther Sports Radio Network (J.W. Cox: Play-by-Play / Scott Peterson: Analyst)
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa --- The 125th season of UNI football kicks off this Saturday as the Panthers make the short trip to Ames to take on in-state rival Iowa State at Jack Trice Stadium at 1 p.m. CT.
UNI looks for its first win against the Cyclones since 2016 as it opens the season against Iowa State for the 16th time in program history. The Panthers, ranked 20th in the AFCA FCS coaches preseason poll and 23rd in the STATS Perform poll, enter the season picked to finish third in the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC), while Iowa State was tabbed to finish tenth in the Big 12.
The purple and gold return 17 starters from a 6-5 campaign in 2022, including eight All-MVFC performers. Eleven Panthers landed on MVFC preseason teams this year, including defensive lineman Khristian Boyd, defensive back Woo Governor and placekicker Matthew Cook.Â
On offense, quarterback Theo Day commences his redshirt senior season looking to build off a breakout year in 2022. Earning a triad of preseason All-American honors and a spot on this year's Reese's Senior Bowl watchlist, Day was the MVFC's top passer a year ago with a league-best 3,121 passing yards with 26 touchdowns through the air. He also led the MVFC in pass efficiency, total offense and yards per attempt. Day's skillset is complemented by the return of several key pass catchers, including Alex Allen, Sam Schnee, Sergio Morancy, Desmond Hutson and Logan Wolf.
UNI aims to take a big step forward on the defensive side of the ball with veteran experience leading the way. Woo Governor, who notched 61 tackles a year ago, also tied for the second-most interceptions in the MVFC, notably returning two interceptions for touchdowns against Western Illinois on consecutive drives. Khristian Boyd leads the way in the defensive trenches after earning multiple preseason all-conference nods, and 32 tackles. Cordarrius Bailey, a former Cyclone will return to Ames for the first time after a breakthrough year of his own with the Panthers, recording 31 tackles and a forced fumble.
On special teams, UNI returns one of its most accurate placekickers in Matthew Cook for his senior year. The Cedar Falls native set the UNI and MVFC record for career field goals made last season (67), and also set a new school and conference record for consecutive PAT kicks made (124). It was in Cook's first career game against Iowa State in 2019 that he made four field goals in a thrilling triple overtime battle, drilling a pair of kicks from both 49 and 50 yards out. Cook's career field goal percentage of 81% ranks fourth-best in program history.
Head coach Mark Farley begins his 23rd season at the helm of the program in search of his 175th career win on Saturday. Farley, a former Gateway Football Conference Defensive Player of the Year for the Panthers, is UNI's all-time leader in wins, and holds three career victories over FBS programs, all coming against Iowa State (2007, 2013, 2016).
FAN TAILGATE
The UNI Alumni Association will have a pregame tailgate set up for Panther fans from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. CTÂ southeast of Jack Trice Stadium off University Boulevard. The event is free to attend for UNI fans with free food, soda and water available. A pregame pep rally will begin at the event at 11 a.m. CT.
CELEBRATING 125 SEASONS OF PANTHER FOOTBALL
This year marks the 125th season of play for the UNI football program. Kicking off games in 1895, the Panthers have played every year since, with the exception of 1906, 1907, 1944 and 1945, with over 1,300 players wearing the purple and gold. UNI will celebrate the milestone season all year long with special history lessons on social media, a 125th season website and more. The Panthers will honor this anniversary season with a 125th season decal on their helmets all season long.
