Eli Dunne aims to show progress as UNI’s starting quarterback

CEDAR FALLS - Eli Dunne's first five games of his Northern Iowa career was a mixed bag that oozed with potential.

At the same time, he kept expectations tempered with the errors made as a sophomore.

Dunne's 2016 debut happened Oct. 22 against Missouri State. In that debut he was nothing short of spectacular - throwing for 418 yards and two touchdowns in a 61-7 rout. Dunne's performance marked the first time since 2009 the Panthers scored 60-plus points and had a 400-yard passer.

For many, that win felt like a much-needed midseason renaissance for the UNI passing game - something that was going to be necessary for a playoff push. One week later, the lows of Dunne's 2016 began in a 24-20 loss to co-MVFC champion North Dakota State.

After throwing four interceptions and taking three sacks the renaissance was on hold.

The Panthers went on to finish 5-6, likely missing a postseason at-large bid by one game. Dunne made four starts - missing the Indiana State game with a concussion - and finished with 1,175 yards passing and a 7-to-8 touchdown to interception ratio.

Dunne's record as starter was 2-2. The two losses were courtesy of the MVFC's finest, North Dakota State and South Dakota State. Heading into 2017, Dunne feels like himself and the rest of the UNI offense is in a position to benefit from the experience he gained a season ago.

'That experience helped a lot,” Dunne said. 'Looking back I progressed a lot with my reads, being a leader, and taking command of the offense. This (fall) camp that I've had and spring ball, the reps that I've gotten have helped me improve my game.”

While those early returns on Dunne had their highs and lows, there was enough production to lock in his spot as the starting quarterback heading into 2017. Coach Mark Farley has said throughout the offseason that a key for the junior signal-caller will be how he's able to respond to his errors after gaining five games of experience as a sophomore.

'I would say I knew what my mistakes were. A lot of those were easy ones I could have fixed. Looking back on it, those (mistakes) happen in football, but you know you've really got to hone in on correcting those mistakes and making sure they don't happen again,” Dunne said. 'From fall camp, spring ball, and the offseason we've been emphasizing protecting the football. That's an emphasis we're going to carry on toward this season.”

Dunne says he's been fine tuning his communication with the offensive line, focusing on getting the ball out on time, and knowing how to protect himself when he does leave the pocket.

Helping the junior is first-year quarterbacks coach and co-offensive coordinator John Bond. Bond, a veteran with over 30 years experience, has quickly connected with Dunne.

'Really excited about (Eli). He holds a lot of the weight room records here (for QBs) at Northern Iowa, or at least a couple,” Bond said. 'So he's a big, strong guy. He's very smart. He can make any throw on the field and he wants to please. He's very coachable. And when a guy is coachable you obviously have a chance to do some special things.”

Bond says the relationship between coach and quarterback is a bit unique. He explained the difference between a good and great quarterback is the ability to be mentally and emotionally strong, and to be able to make quick decisions.

'There are book-smart guys, and there are football-smart guys, and I think (Eli's) a little bit of both,” Bond said. 'He has shown the ability to be smart and handle about anything you put on his plate. So right now the offense is going through (Eli) and we have a lot of confidence in him.”