UNI football getting ready for No. 1 South Dakota State

CEDAR FALLS — Northern Iowa’s three-game winning streak will be put to the test Saturday when it travels to Brookings, S.D., to take on No. 1 South Dakota State.

The Panthers’ wins at Idaho State, at home against Youngstown State and this past weekend at Indiana State have demonstrated Mark Farley’s team is steadily improving, but the big question will be whether there’s been enough improvement to contend with the Jackrabbits (5-0, 2-0) Saturday at 2 p.m. (ESPN+).

“They’re a great football team,” Farley said Monday during his weekly news conference. “I think their offensive line and their running back are outstanding. And then the quarterback is the type of player that really complements everything they’re doing because he can throw and run.”

UNI (3-2, 2-0) took then-No. 1 SDSU down to the wire a season ago, losing 31-28 at home after failing to score on its last possession. That allowed the Jackrabbits to win the game on their next possession with a five-play drive that ended with a 26-yard, game-winning field goal.

Ahead of Saturday’s rematch, one of the Panthers’ most recent positive improvements was the performance of running back Harrison Bey-Buie in last Saturday night’s win at Indiana State.

The Bettendorf native rushed 20 times for 137 yards and three touchdowns after starter Tye Edwards left the game with an injury after his first carry.

“Harrison really ran well,” Farley said. “I thought he was the difference in the game, quite frankly. He and (tight end) Layne Pryior — their energy, their toughness that they displayed that (game) — I thought was really what stood out the most.”

Farley also said he was awaiting more information before he could give an update on Edwards’ status for Saturday’s game at SDSU.

Elsewhere on UNI’s offense, quarterback Theo Day and the passing game — typically explosive — proved complementary in the win against the Sycamores.

“They’ve done some good things as far as being behind and then going out there (when) some adversity has hit and then they come right back and get the points back,” Farley said. “So I see consistency after some (adverse) things that have gone on throughout the game. So, from start to finish, they’re doing a nice job of adjusting.”