5 questions for UNI football going into 2021 fall season

CEDAR FALLS — Plenty of questions surround Northern Iowa football after a tumultuous 3-4 spring season defined by COVID-19 protocols and those four losses, all to playoff teams, by a combined 15 points.

With that in mind, here are the five biggest questions facing UNI ahead of this season.

1. Will the run game (and play-action pass) be revived?

A lack of run-game production has limited the Panthers potential the past five seasons.

Since achieving a program-record 233.3 yards per-game average in 2015, the Panthers haven’t eclipsed a 133.4 yards per-game average.

That lack of production has also dealt a serious blow to the potency of their play-action passing game.

With offensive coordinator Shawn Watson settled in for his second year and run game coordinator Ryan Clanton having built a rapport with him through the spring season, there’s reason to think the run game will be better. Tyler Hoosman staying healthy and one of Vance McShane, Bradrick Shaw and Terrance Kamara proving themselves as a productive ball-carrier will also be important.

2. Enough tight end depth for ‘12’ personnel?

Ever since Briley Moore’s season-ending injury in the 2019 season-opener at Iowa State the Panthers have struggled with depth at tight end. So much so it’s prevented them from being in their best personnel grouping, ‘12’ — which features two tight ends and one running back.

Headed into this season UNI has seven healthy tight ends on its roster and three of them have considerable experience.

As Watson continues to put his stamp on the offense it’ll be worth watching how he utilizes the tight ends in the run and play-action passing games if the depth is there to consistently run 12 personnel.

3. (Non)-QB competition?

A two-week absence in the spring season due to COVID-19 disrupted starting quarterback Will McElvain’s body of work. Absences due to COVID-19 and other injuries with UNI’s offensive line and wide receivers also wreaked havoc on him and the offense’s ability to establish any rhythm and build off of each week’s game.

Despite the challenges of evaluating McElvain’s spring season, UNI added three quarterbacks to its roster in the offseason. Michigan State transfer Theo Day headlines the group, but junior college transfer Matt Morrissey and freshman Aiden Dunne also possess plenty of talent.

Watson told The Gazette last month that McElvain is their starter, but pointed out that adding competition at the position was a priority for the staff headed into the offseason.

4. Who are the emergent pass-rushers?

A large part of UNI’s ability to consistently be a top-10 defense in the country is due to defensive line coach Bryce Paup’s development of its pass rushers.

Karter Schult and Elerson G. Smith are the most recent and notable All-Americans who opponents had to gameplan around.

The Panthers spring season featured a balanced attack when it came to putting quarterbacks on the ground. Brawntae Wells, Jared Brinkman, Khristian Boyd and Caden Houghtelling each registered at least three sacks with Wells leading the way with 4 1/2.

Another group effort will likely need to the case this fall, but a standout season from graduate transfer Dylan Boles or breakout from an underclassman like Devin Rice, Houghtelling or someone else would be a huge boost.

5. Does being unranked mean underdog status?

Besides the tangible, on-the-field questions, the Panthers enter this season unranked for the first time in years. UNI is No. 21 in the STATS preseason rankings, but were left out of Hero Sports' Top 25.

Will Mark Farley, entering his 20th seeason, have his team embrace an underdog role? Or will they instead see the snub as an opportunity for a proverbial “chip on the shoulder” as all four of its losses in the spring came to playoff teams by a combined 15 points?