UNI shuts out No. 9 North Dakota for a ‘special’ win

CEDAR FALLS — All three phases helped Northern Iowa upset No. 9 North Dakota Saturday afternoon at the UNI-Dome, 27-0, the program’s first shutout of a top-10 opponent.

Headlining the win was running back Amauri Pesek-Hickson, who switched positions from linebacker in practice this week, after injuries to starter Tye Edwards and backup Harrison Bey-Buie.

Pesek-Hickson — who originally arrived at UNI as a running back transfer from Kansas before the 2022 season — ran for a career-high 180 yards on 30 carries. He scored the game’s first touchdown — his first career touchdown — on a sweep that went 14 yards nine minutes into the first quarter.

“Coach Farley just asked me to step up and I said I got him,” Pesek-Hickson said. “I came back (to the offense) and it was like, honestly, playing a video game now. Just being able to react off what my key does. It’s just crazy to me now the way I’m seeing the game, the way I’m seeing the movement.”

The Panthers quickly built on their lead as quarterback Theo Day’s play-action passes were bolstered by Pesek-Hickson’s success on the ground.

An 11-play, 67-yard drive extended UNI’s lead to 10-0 with a 34-yard Matthew Cook field goal. Eight minutes later in the second quarter, Day connected with Sergio Morancy for a 70-yard touchdown pass to push the Panthers’ lead to 17.

“It wasn’t necessarily the perfect look for the play, but I gave it some time, I realized it was one-on-one coverage downfield on a safety and that eventually (Morancy) was going to beat him,” Day said.

While UNI’s offense operated with rhythm, the Panthers (4-3, 3-1) defense authored its best performance of the season.

Defensive lineman Caden Houghtelling returned to UNI’s lineup and quickly made an impact. He recovered Tommy Schuster’s first-quarter fumble that set up the Panthers’ first touchdown drive and got the first of UNI’s four sacks that preceded a missed 34-yard field goal by UND’s C.J. Elrichs.

Cannon Butler followed Houghtelling, getting the first of his two sacks in the second quarter. Butler and Khristian Boyd then teamed up on the Fighting Hawks’ second drive of the third quarter with sacks of Schuster on first and third downs, forcing one of UND’s five three-and-outs in the game.

“He’s been waiting to get back on the line of scrimmage and he’s put his time in,” UNI Coach Mark Farley said of Houghtelling. “When something’s taken away from you, when you get it back, you know how special it is (to) even get to play the game anymore. So, I think that made him stronger. He played well.”

UNI’s 10 points after halftime first came on a nine-play, 75-yard drive capped by a 2-yard Day touchdown pass to Brady McCollough, the first of his career.

Then, leading 24-0 late in the fourth quarter, Corry Thomas Jr grabbed his first career interception with North Dakota backed up in its own territory. Seven plays later, Cook gave the Panthers their final three points with a 35-yard field goal.

“This is probably the win I’m most proud of since I’ve been here,” UNI quarterback Theo Day said. “If we don’t turn the ball over, I guarantee you, we’re going to be pretty tough to beat.”

Day finished 13-of-22 passing for 239 yards and two touchdowns, while Sam Schnee led all receivers with a game-high 90 yards on five receptions.

Dalesean Staley, Woo Governor, Tucker Langenberg and Jahsiah Galvan all tied with a team-high seven tackles.

UNI travels to No. 25 Illinois State next Saturday for a noon kickoff at Hancock Stadium (ESPN+).

“What our team accomplished tonight was special,” Farley said. “That was a lot of will and a lot of effort that I can’t draw on a board. That was them making plays. It was important that they came off last week, regrouped and reorganized, and that’s what we did. But that’s the players. Credit them, but credit (our) coaches, they put a lot of time in with these guys to pull this thing off, too.”