How Jared Penning and the UNI offensive line responded after a disappointing start to the season

CEDAR FALLS — After beginning its season with two straight losses, it quickly became evident Northern Iowa’s protection of All-America quarterback Theo Day simply wasn’t good enough.

The senior QB was sacked 10 times in losses to Iowa State and Weber State, and the duress he found himself under also played a part in him throwing five interceptions in those two games.

As a result, headed into Week 3’s nonconference finale at Idaho State, junior left tackle Jared Penning said pass protection was a point of emphasis all week in practice.

“Everyone (on the team) was kind of looking at us to perform that (game) and we ended up not giving up a sack, so that was good to see,” Penning said. “The week going into that game we were emphasizing pass protection every day. Going against good on good in practice. More reps. More intensity. We knew if we kept Theo clean we’ve got a chance in any game.”

Penning pointed out it wasn’t a collective issue across the offensive line, but rather each lineman having correctable techniques to clean up.

Another development poised to help UNI’s offensive line moving forward is a consistent group of starters.

Penning, Blake Anderson, Chase Arends, Keean Kamerling and Tristan Roper started from left to right in the win at Idaho State, and Farley confirmed earlier this week the same five will start this Saturday’s Missouri Valley Football Conference opener against Youngstown State (2-1).

“I think it’s really important,” Penning said of playing with the same five starters. “For me, playing next to the same left guard every game you can build that trust in one another. I think me and Blake work well together. I think it’s nice just knowing I’m out there trying to help him and he’s out there trying to help me.”

Penning, who had previously started at left guard the past two seasons, worked at right and left tackle throughout the offseason and has played both spots already this season.

After the Iowa State game, Farley said it was obvious his best fit was at left tackle and Penning agreed with his coach’s remarks.

“It’s been good, but it’s just different,” Penning said. “When you get outside it’s a little different because you get the smaller, lengthier bodies that are trying to beat you with speed. Adapting to that has been the key for me.”

Penning’s older brother Trevor — the program’s highest NFL pick of all-time who went 19th overall in the first round of the 2022 draft to the New Orleans Saints — also has been a resource for his position switch.

Trevor initially earned a starting spot with the Panthers (1-2) in 2019 as a right guard before ultimately switching to left tackle like Jared has.

“I’ve talked to (Trevor) a little bit about (playing) tackle,” Penning said. “It’s the same, but different than guard. The angle of your set is going to be different. It’s just getting comfortable with that, mainly.”

Jared has been able to get to some of his brother’s games, most recently last week’s Saints game at Green Bay.

“I’m looking forward to (Saturday) because we put a lot of work in these past couple weeks,” Penning said. “That bye week, it wasn’t a bye week to say the least. We were grinding.

“We’re trying to improve and add on to what we did at Idaho State. I’m looking forward to seeing that work being shown on Saturday.”