UNI football vs. Utah Tech: TV, live stream, 3 keys to the game, prediction

CEDAR FALLS — Northern Iowa quickly finds itself back in a must-win game against Utah Tech after its 23-21 loss to Illinois State last week.

The Trailblazers are coming off a 26-10 home loss to Abilene Christian and have shared a common opponent this season with UNI in Sacramento State, whom they lost to in week 1, 56-33.

Picked last in the Western Athletic Conference’s preseason poll, Utah Tech (1-4) finished its 2021 season 1-10 overall.

The Trailblazers are led by a productive offense that averages 425.2 yards per game, good for second in the WAC. Sophomore quarterback Kobe Tracy averages 307.25 passing yards per game and has thrown nine touchdowns against only three interceptions, despite a completion percentage of only 51.5. Running back Quali Conley will also be a marked man for the UNI defense, as the sophomore averages 92 yards per game and 6 yards per carry.

Here are three keys for the Panthers against Utah Tech.

1. Bring the heat

UNI’s recent struggles to get off the field on defense have been well documented, so it’s hard to think there won’t be adjustments made.

While head coach Mark Farley’s defenses have typically never been known for their blitzes, the third- and fourth-down problems have been big enough that adjusting against historical tendencies should be on the table.

Farley has always preached molding schemes to personnel, and through six games, it appears that perhaps the only card left to play is dialing up more blitzes on those critical downs.

2. Complementary football

As improved as UNI’s offense has been this season, it’s at times come at the cost of complementary football.

While the term is a bit loaded, a large part of complementary football is having an offense that can keep its own defense off the field long enough to rest for its next possession, and that hasn’t happened enough this season.

It may well be worth subbing out a few passes for runs, simply to hold onto the ball longer and keep the defense from being gassed.

3. If not now, when?

Whether it’s play calls, scheme adjustments, personnel adjustments or anything else that could fall outside what’s been ordinary this season, this week’s game feels like the last opportunity to adjust and experiment before diving back into conference play.

Whether it’s blitzes on third and fourth downs, or giving someone new a chance to start this week’s game, this matchup could prove to be the swing game for how the rest of this season goes for the Panthers.

UNI vs. Utah Tech

Kickoff time: 4 p.m. (CT)

TV: KCRG 9.2 and NBC Sports Chicago

Live stream: ESPN+

Prediction: UNI 27, Utah Tech 24