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UNI football vs. Valpo: TV, live stream, 3 keys to the game, prediction (Aug. 31, 2024)
Panthers set to debut their ‘Air Raid’ offense Saturday at the UNI-Dome
CEDAR FALLS — Northern Iowa kicks off its 2024 football season Saturday at home against Valparaiso.
The first meeting between the two programs is also UNI’s first season-opening home game in 14 years.
Valparaiso was picked 10th in the 11-team Pioneer Football League’s preseason poll and is coming off a 3-8 2023 season.
Leading passers Michael Appel Jr. and Rowan Keefe both return after playing in five games apiece last season. However, Beacons coach Landon Fox has stated publicly that Keefe or redshirt freshman Caron Tyler will start against the Panthers.
Leading rusher Ryan Mann also returns for a Beacons offense that finished last in the PFL in scoring in 2023.
Senior defensive lineman Sam Hafner received first team all-PFL preseason honors and returns to lead a Valparaiso defense that played well in 2023 — fourth in scoring defense in the PFL (22.75).
Here are three keys for the Panthers
1. UNI’s debut of the “Air Raid” offense
While UNI Coach Mark Farley named former Mike Leach wide receiver and assistant coach Joel Filani the offense’s play-caller on Monday, the Panthers have made no secret that their new scheme will not be a carbon copy of the original Air Raid.
Filani and quarterback Aidan Dunne have both spoken about taking shots downfield in the passing game with the advantages the scheme provides, but have also acknowledged that their trio of talented running backs and veteran offensive line will make for an Air Raid-adjacent or Air Raid-inverted hybrid. Whatever the scheme ends up being, anything other than a promising start against Valparaiso will be concerning.
2. QB Aidan Dunne’s debut
UNI will debut a new starting quarterback along with its new offense.
Dunne told The Gazette this week that not forgetting about the running back trio will be helpful in getting off to a good start.
It will be interesting to see whether the Panthers stubbornly set up the pass with their run game or turn Dunne’s arm loose early in the new scheme.
3. Pass-rush roll call
With only three starters returning on defense — none on the defensive line — UNI needs to quickly learn who can get to opposing quarterbacks.
There are many other questions the defense will need to answer early in the season, but if they’re unable to generate a pass rush against Valparaiso it could be an ominous sign of what’s to come.
Cannon Butler, Carter Hewitt and Jack Kriebs will need to demonstrate improvement from a season ago. Meanwhile, preseason camp standout Bradley Vislisel as well as Malik Stewart and North Texas transfer Rodney Green Jr. will need to prove capable of production with what’s likely to be healthy snap counts.
How to watch UNI football vs. Valparaiso (Aug. 31, 2024)
Kickoff time: 4 p.m. (CT)
Line: UNI -15.5
Live stream: ESPN+
TV: CFU Channel 15
Radio: 93.5 The Mix (App available), Panther Sports Radio Network (via TuneIn)
Prediction: UNI 31 Valparaiso 14
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