Matthew Cook gives UNI a game changer in the kicking game

CEDAR FALLS — Entering a season with plenty of anticipation and high expectations, Northern Iowa’s special teams can be regarded as one of the best in the FCS due to kicker Matthew Cook returning for a fifth season.

Cook — who burst onto the scene as a freshman in 2019 with 49- and 28-yard field goals in a narrow triple-overtime loss at Iowa State — has converted 67 of 83 career attempts, a program record.

He was voted a team captain this preseason by his teammates and his presence alone factors into opposing game plans — something coach Mark Farley described at last week’s annual media day.

“When a (team) puts together a scouting report on us, Matt Cook is a strength because you put him down as three points if you get in that red zone,” Farley said. “He creates a lot of problems on a scouting report because he has the leg strength and the accuracy and the experience.

“Many times (a game) comes down to a kicker. Go look at the scoreboards, we win most of our games by less than a touchdown and that’s just the league and the people we play. So, yes, he’s critically important to our football team.”

Among the position battles playing out before UNI’s Sept. 2 season opener at Iowa State is at punter.

Cael Loecher has returned to health after a fierce, frightening battle last fall with a form of vasculitis that had him intubated and on a ventilator at one point.

Before his health scare, the Cedar Falls native had solidified himself as the Panthers punter, averaging 41.5 yards on 13 punts in five games with four inside opponents’ 20-yard line.

Noah Pettinger assumed the starting spot the last six games of the season and maintained the standard set by Loecher. The Dubuque native’s 16 punts averaged 42 yards, good enough to earn honorable mention on the Missouri Valley Football Conference’s preseason team.

“Noah kicked so well last year that there is a battle there at punter,” Farley said. “Two great people that I have no concerns about. I wish I could punt two guys. Those are two guys (where) I’d punt either one of them and feel good about it.”

The biggest questions among the special teams exist at kick and punt returner. Seniors largely manned the positions in 2022, leaving the proverbial door wide-open for a number of compelling candidates.

Redshirt freshman running back Josh Jenkins and wide receiver Sam Schnee are logical choices, but it’s likely a lesser-known skill player or defensive back with a smaller snap count gets a chance to make an impact for UNI in the return game.