UNI football: Panthers pick up first win of 2026 against Drake

Saturday, September 12

Cedar Falls, Iowa

1 p.m.

University of Northern Iowa

1-1 , 0-0

Drake

0-3 , 0-0

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
Drake	7	7	0	0	14
UNI	21	7	21	7	56

Photo by: © Andy Saigh

UNI football: Panthers pick up first win of 2026 against Drake

9/12/2026 5:14:00 PM | Football

Box Score Final Stats

Panther football explodes for 56 points inside the UNI-Dome in a 56-14 victory over Drake.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — The UNI Panthers opened the 2026 home slate with a matchup against Drake for Hall of Fame weekend. UNI scored 28 points in each half, while the Panther defense pitched a shutout in the second half to claim a 56-14 victory in the home opener.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Panther defense brought the juice early, forcing a pick on the opening drive of the game. John Powers got his hands on the ball for the first pick of his collegiate career, and the Panthers' first of the season. The Panthers used the ensuing possession to score their first touchdown inside the UNI-Dome for the 2026 season. Ben Gordon found the end zone on an end-around from the 12-yard line. The defense came back out with energy and forced a punt after a 10-yard sack by CJ Wade.

A 34-yard reception by Cyrus Courtney set UNI up in plus territory and led to a 14-yard reception in the end zone by Brady McCullough, the Cats' first receiving TD of the season. For a third-straight defensive possession, the Panther defense stood tall, forcing a punt after a sack by Franz Reisz. The Panthers responded with a punt before Drake's first points of the game came on a 43-yard passing touchdown.

Brady McCullough caught two more touchdowns in the first half while the Bulldogs picked up seven points on a passing touchdown. Josiah Young picked off the Bulldog quarterback and returned it to the Drake 27-yard line to set up McCullough's third touchdown of the contest. UNI led Drake 28-14 at the halftime break.

UNI's defense pitched a shutout in the second half, including a pair of fumble recoveries, a turnover on downs, and a pick six. UNI's offense broke out for 28 more points. Christian Collins was first in the third quarter on a seven yard run. Calvin Jaworski jumped a route and returned the interception to the house for UNI's second touchdown of the game and first defensive score of the season.

Michael Bormann and Caleb Kamara scored their first career touchdowns on rushing plays in the second half. Bormann powered into the end zone from the two-yard line, while Kamara jetted around the edge for a 28-yard rushing touchdown to give the Cats a 56-14 edge in the contest. Rico Alvarenga-Servellon came on to kick the final extra-point of the contest after Max Bartachek was 7-for-7 in PATs the rest of the game.

Jaxon Dailey passed for 242 yards and three touchdowns in the home opener against Drake. Jaiden Ellis-Lahey and Cyrus Courtney led the UNI receiving room with 59 total yards, while Brady McCullough brought in three receiving TDs with 16 receiving yards. Caleb Kamara led the running backs with 49 yards and one touchdown on the ground. John Powers led the defense with nine total tackles and one interception.

UP NEXT

The Panthers head to Iowa City on September 19, to take on the Iowa Hawkeyes. Kickoff is slated for 3 p.m. CT and will be available to stream on FS1. The game will also come to you over their airwaves on 93.5 The Mix with JW Cox and Hall of Famer Scott Peterson.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

UNI improves to 1-1 on the season, 14-10 in Cedar Falls against Drake, and 4-1 inside the UNI-Dome against the Bulldogs with the 56-14 victory over Drake.
Ben Gordon's rushing touchdown on the Panthers' opening drive was the first touchdown of his collegiate career.
Calvin Jaworski's pick six in the third quarter was UNI's first pick six since Woo Governor had a pair against Western Illinois in 2022.
Brady McCullough recorded the first multi-touchdown game of his college career. He finished with three receiving touchdowns, the first Panther with three receiving TDs since Sergio Morancy against Indiana State in 2024.
UNI's 56 points are the most by the Panthers in a home game since the Panthers scored 59 against Indiana State in 2015.

UNI football action can be followed all season long on social media on Facebook (UNI Football), X (@UNIFootball) and on Instagram (@unipantherfootball). The full 2026 schedule and roster, along with the latest Panther news and information can be found online at UNIpanthers.com.