5 UNI football questions entering the 2022 season

CEDAR FALLS — A favorable schedule, No. 21 preseason ranking in the FCS, returning starters at several positions and facility improvements are all legitimate reasons Northern Iowa could be set up for a successful football season.

On the other hand, this year’s UNI team isn’t without its question marks.

Entering Wednesday’s media day, here are the five biggest questions facing Mark Farley’s Panthers.

1. How does UNI replace Trevor Penning?

Former UNI All-America left tackle Trevor Penning became the program’s highest NFL draft pick when the New Orleans Saints selected him with the 19th overall pick in the first round this April.

While Penning’s loss is an obvious blow to the Panthers offensive line, assistant coach Ryan Clanton has built depth through recruiting and development since he arrived in Cedar Falls in 2018.

This season sets up to be the biggest test of that depth. Erik Sorensen, Jared Penning and Justin Peine return as presumptive starters. Matthew Vanderslice and Nick Ellis represent veteran depth with plenty of game experience. Promising sophomore tackle Tristan Roper also is in the mix to start, so finding the correct top five and putting them each in the correct position will prove crucial to the offense’s success this season.

2. What does the secondary shuffle look like?

Omar Brown’s transfer to Nebraska and Austin Evans’ graduation opened up both starting cornerback spots this offseason. Combine that with longtime defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach Jeremiah Johnson’s departure to Kent State and it’s fair to say UNI’s defensive backfield will have plenty to prove.

Farley mentioned after spring practices that Woo Governor and Stefan Black looked good at the two starting cornerback spots, but the defensive backfield has proved to be an area of emphasis as it relates to bringing in players from the transfer portal.

Western Kentucky transfer Miguel Edwards, Kansas transfer Takulve Williams, Houston transfer Johnathan Phenix, Highland Community College transfer Deven Foster and Dodge City Community College transfer Damien Crumitie all are upperclassmen vying for playing time. Deciding who plays where sooner than later to establish continuity in what’s known as a difficult scheme to grasp seems important.

3. Will the new offense pass early tests?

A lot already has been made of how new co-offensive coordinator Bodie Reeder collaborated with Clanton and wide receivers coach Joe Ganz to build an entirely new offense for the first time in Farley’s 22-year tenure.

Early returns have proved it’s undoubtedly a different looking offense. Most importantly, it will need to be simple, yet multiple, like Farley mentioned during last week’s Missouri Valley Football Conference media day.

What will prove to be the biggest obstacles before the season opener at Air Force on Sept. 3?

Certainly returning starting quarterback Theo Day will need to prove his knowledge, command and execution of the scheme.

4. Who’s punting?

It’s possible this should be the first question given UNI’s defense-first approach over the years that’s amplified the importance of field position in its games.

Nate Murphy graduated and there’s no clear candidate to replace him. And whoever does will need to provide a higher level of production. UNI ranked last in the MVFC in yards per punt (38.3) last season.

Cael Loecher is the Panthers’ only punter listed on the roster, however freshman kickers Casey McGhee from Independence, Calvin Jaworski from Grinnell and Noah Pettinger of Dubuque Hempstead are figuring into the competition. If none of the above solidifies himself as the starter, the consequences will be big.

5. Who steps up as the third running back?

Dom Williams and Vance McShane return and should provide one of the better one-two punches in the MVFC. However, if last season is any kind of indicator, multiple factors point toward UNI needing to have an established third running back to get the most out of its run game.

Bradrick Shaw proved to be an important part of what became a three-headed backfield last season and his presence as a big, physical runner was a useful complement to Williams and McShane, who are smaller, shiftier ball carriers.

Kansas transfer Amauri Pesek-Hickson, who’s 6-foot and 238 pounds, and Eastern Illinois transfer Harrison Bey-Buie, a Bettendorf grad who’s 5-10 and 221 pounds, should be in the midst of an opportunity to earn snaps in this season’s backfield trio.