UNI football: Panthers bested in first road contest of 2025

Saturday, September 6

Laramie, Wyo.

3 p.m.

University of Northern Iowa

1-1 , 0-0

Wyoming

2-0 , 0-0

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

UNI

Wyoming

Photo by: © Andy Saigh

UNI football: Panthers bested in first road contest of 2025

9/6/2025 6:20:00 PM | Football

Box Score

UNI Panther football traveled to Laramie to take on Wyoming in its first road matchup of the season.

LARAMIE, Wyoming — UNI football took on the Wyoming Cowboys on Saturday, September 6 at War Memorial Stadium in its first road matchup of the young season. The Cats held the game close through the first number of possessions, but the Cowboys took control in the second half and came away with a 31-7 victory in Wyoming.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Northern Iowa opened the game on offense and held Wyoming to a 48-yard field goal attempt which was no good on the opening drive. The Panther offense drove the field and got to the 23 yard line after a fourth and six yards was converted on a pass interference penalty drawn by JC Roque Jr. UNI's 40-yard field goal was wide right and the score stayed tied at zero after each team got a possession.

The Cowboys opened scoring with an 18-yard rushing touchdown which capped off a five-play, 78-yard scoring drive. The Panthers were forced to punt, but forced a Wyoming punt on defense after a 15-yard sack from Owen Ostroski, his first in a UNI uniform.

The Cats mounted their first scoring drive of the contest on a drive that saw a 23-yard reception from Graham Friedrichsen. Harrison Bey-Buie punched the ball into the endzone on a two-yard run which was followed by a PAT from Max Bartachek to knot the game at seven apiece. The Cowboys scored on another touchdown and a field goal in the last three minutes of the second quarter to take a 17-7 lead into halftime.

Heading into the halftime break, Matthew Schecklman was 11-15 for 87 yards. Friedrichsen led receivers with 29 yards on two receptions while Bill Jackson tallied 14 rushing yards on three attempts to lead the running back room. Linebacker Ryan Crandall ended the first half with five total tackles including four solo.

The Panthers opened the second half with the ball. Around midfield, Matthew Schecklman threw his first interception of the season. The Subsequent Wyoming drive ended in the endzone as the Cowboys took a 24-7 lead after a 10-play, 76-yard scoring drive, capped off by a 21-yard touchdown reception. UNI was forced to punt on back-to-back possessions, but got the ball back at the Wyoming 15 yard line after Jonathan Cabral-Martin blitzed off the edge and forced a fumble which was recovered by Jack Kriebs. The Panthers looked to add more points, but were picked off at the goal line to give the ball back to the Cowboys.

A five-play, 60-yard drive gave the Cowboys a 31-7 lead before time ran out on the matchup. Schecklman finished the matchup with 15 completions for 107 yards. Tysen Kershaw led the receiver room with 41 yards on six receptions. Freshman Christian Collins led the running backs with 22 yards on four attempts.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

The Panthers fall to 1-1 on the season and 0-2 all time against Wyoming.
Bill Jackson recorded his 1,000th career rushing yard in the first quarter of action.
Jack Kriebs picked up the first fumble recovery of his career off Jonathan Cabral-Martin's fourth forced fumble.
Matthew Schecklman's two interceptions marked his first career multi-interception outing.

UP NEXT

The Panthers head home to take on the Eastern Washington Eagles on September 13 for Family Weekend. Kickoff inside the UNI-Dome is slated for 4 p.m. CT and will be available on ESPN+ and CFU 15 as well as 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 2025 schedule and roster, along with the latest Panther news and information can be found online at UNIpanthers.com.