University of Northern Iowa
0-1 , 0-0
Iowa State
1-0 , 0-0
Panther football drops 2023 opener to Iowa State
9/2/2023 6:07:00 PM | Football
Tye Edwards leads the UNI rushing game as Panthers fall to Cyclones. UNI returns home next Saturday to host Weber State.
AMES, Iowa --- UNI football faced a tough test against the defense of in-state rival Iowa State, dropping the 2023 season opener to the Cyclones on Saturday afternoon inside a blistering hot Jack Trice Stadium.
The Panthers would make strides offensively in the second half, but would be unable to overcome a difficult first half performance.
Iowa State struck first on UNI's opening possession with an 58-yard interception return for a touchdown on the game's fifth play from scrimmage, giving the Cyclones a quick 7-0 lead. The Panthers would force an ISU punt on its first offensive possession before the Cyclones scored their second touchdown of the day on a fourth-and-goal quarterback run from the one-yard line.
The Cyclones would find the endzone a third time in the half on a 14-yard pass from Rocco Becht to Tyler Moore in the final minute of the second quarter with an unsuccessful PAT kick. ISU would tack on a 56-yard field goal on the final play of the half to take a 23-0 lead into the halftime break
After ISU scored a 36-yard touchdown from Becht to Benjamin Brahmer, the Panthers cracked the scoreboard as Matthew Cook drilled a 31-yard field goal through the uprights. The UNI offense began to find rhythm on both the ground and through air as Tye Edwards and Harrison Bey-Buie each found open space out in front. Panther quarterback Theo Day also found consistency after a tough first half, connecting with Bey-Buie and receiver Sam Schnee on a pair of 15+ yard passes.
A 36-yard reception by newcomer Jaiden Ellis-Lahey and an 11-yard reception by tight end Layne Pryor set up the first UNI touchdown of the season with a three-yard catch from Desmond Hutson.Â
With an improved offensive performance in the second stanza, the Panthers finished with 279 total yards on the day, including 173 yards from the air. Day completed the day with 16 competitions for 164 passing yards and one score, as Edwards led the game with 72 rushing yards on 16 carries in his UNI debut.
ÂADDITIONAL NOTES
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Iowa State leads the all-time series record 25-6-3 after Saturday's game.
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Punter Noah Pettinger recorded a career-long 54-yard punt in Saturday's game.
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Newcomer Broderick Calhoun led UNI with seven total tackles, while Corey Thomas Jr. and Jahsiah Galvan each notched six tackles.
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Desmon Hutson recorded his sixth career touchdown in the fourth quarter. He had five in 2022.
UP NEXT
The Panthers host No. 10/13 Weber State next Saturday for their home opener in the UNI-Dome. The Wildcats are coming off a 35-10 victory over Central Washington. The game can be watched live on the Panther Sports Network, with the live radio call available on the Panther Sports Radio Network.
Team Stats
UNI 0, ISU 7
ISU - Cooper,Jeremiah 58 yd interception (Contreraz,Chase kick)
UNI 0, ISU 14
ISU - Becht,Rocco 1 yd run (Contreraz,Chase kick), 7 plays, 21 yards, TOP 03:48
UNI 0, ISU 20
ISU - Moore,Tyler 14 yd pass from Becht,Rocco () 6 plays, 71 yards, TOP 02:51
UNI 0, ISU 23
ISU - Contreraz,Chase 56 yd field goal 1 plays, yards, TOP 00:04
UNI 0, ISU 30
ISU - Brahmer,Benjamin 36 yd pass from Becht,Rocco (Contreraz,Chase kick) 4 plays, 87 yards, TOP 01:48
UNI 3, ISU 30
UNI - Cook,Matthew 31 yd field goal 12 plays, 61 yards, TOP 05:05
UNI 9, ISU 30
UNI - Hutson,Desmond 3 yd pass from Day,Theo () 5 plays, 57 yards, TOP 01:55
