Panthers fall in offense-heavy matchup against Missouri State

Saturday, October 26

Cedar Falls, Iowa

4 p.m.

University of Northern Iowa

2-6 , 0-4

Missouri State

6-2 , 4-0

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Missouri St.

UNI

Photo by: Devin Baas

Panthers fall in offense-heavy matchup against Missouri State

10/26/2024 8:04:00 PM | Football

Box Score Final Stats Photo Gallery

UNI football fell to 0-4 in MVFC play in a 42-49 loss to Missouri State.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — The UNI football team took on the Missouri State Bears inside the UNI-Dome for Northern Iowa's annual homecoming matchup. The Panthers and the Bears traded punches through the first three quarters before the Bears took control of the matchup down the stretch in a matchup that finished with a final score of 42-49.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Panthers won the toss and elected to receive out of the gate. Their first offensive possession ended with a punt and Missouri State came away with a touchdown on its first offensive drive, but UNI answered with a one-yard rushing touchdown from Amauri Pesek-Hickson. The drive saw rushes of 22 and 17 yards from Tye Edwards to set the Panthers up on the goal line. The UNI defense forced a Bears punt which was followed by a UNI punt. A 47-yard rushing touchdown gave Missouri State a 14-7 lead early in the second quarter.

A nine-yard touchdown run from Pesek-Hickson knotted the score at 14 after a drive that saw back-to-back pass interference calls go against the Bears. Missouri State answered with its third touchdown of the day before Tye Edwards got in on the scoring on a three-yard rush to end the first half. The Panthers and the Bears went into the locker room tied at 21.

Missouri State came out of the break and threw a 30-yard touchdown which was answered by a UNI 30-yard touchdown pass from Matthew Schecklman to Sergio Morancy. The Bears scored on their next two possessions to take a 42-28 lead with short time left in the third quarter. UNI mounted a 12-play, 75-yard touchdown drive which ended with an 18-yard touchdown reception from Desmond Hutson.

A Missouri State touchdown put the Bears ahead 49-35 before the Missouri State defense forced a turnover on downs on the next Panther offensive drive. The UNI defense stood tall and forced a punt from the Bears following the turnover on downs. The next offensive possession for the Panthers went for seven points on a 28-yard reception by Tysen Kershaw for a touchdown. The Panthers attempted the onside kick, but were not able to come up with the ball and Missouri State was able to kneel out the clock.

Matthew Schecklman finished the day with 270 yards on 20-for-30 passing and three touchdowns. Tye Edwards led the Panther ground game with 114 yards and a touchdown while Tysen Kershaw led the receiving core with 96 yards and a touchdown.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

The Panthers fell to 2-6 overall and 0-4 in the MVFC with the 42-49 loss.
Tysen Kershaw's 30-yard reception in the third quarter was the longest of his career.
UNI set a new 2024 season high with 42 points against the Bears.
Desmond Hutson caught his first touchdown of the season in the fourth quarter.
Tye Edwards recorded his third 100+-yard game of the season.
Matthew Schecklman set a new career high with 270 passing yards.

UP NEXT

The Panthers hit the road again to take on the Bison of North Dakota State inside the Fargodome. Kickoff is slated for 2:30 p.m. CT and can be streamed on ESPN+. JW Cox and Scott Peterson can be listened to on the Panther Sports Radio Network.

UNI football action can be followed all season long on social media on Facebook (UNI Football), X (@UNIFootball) and on Instagram (@unipantherfootball). The full 2024 schedule and roster, along with the latest Panther news and information can be found online at UNIpanthers.com.