UNI football blasts off in 41-14 win over Utah Tech

CEDAR FALLS — Weeks of struggles were nowhere to be found Saturday at the UNI-Dome, as Northern Iowa cruised past Utah Tech, 41-14.

The opening drive by the Panthers (3-4) set the stage for what became a first-half blowout, quickly moving 74 yards in five plays — punctuated by a 44-yard touchdown pass from Theo Day to Sergio Morancy.

Interceptions from Benny Sapp — his third of the season — and Edwin Dearman energized UNI’s embattled defense in the second quarter and provoked two of four more first-half scoring drives.

Day — who completed 13 of 23 passes for 308 yards — threw for all three of his touchdowns during the first-half outburst, connecting downfield with Desmond Hutson and Sam Schnee in the second quarter for 32- and 70-yard scores.

“We’ve got receivers, Theo’s really playing well (and) protection was good today,” UNI head coach Mark Farley said postgame. “Just as I look at it as a whole — we wanted perfection today, not just (good) play — first and foremost, they played very well.”

As good as Day and the Panthers’ passing game was, Dom Williams and Vance McShane combined for 173 rushing yards, averaging 5.8 yards per carry.

A touchdown run of 9 yards by Williams was set up by Sapp’s interception and 19- and 28-yard completions from Day to Schnee. Meanwhile, a 1-yard rushing touchdown by Day early in the third quarter came after McShane made multiple Trailblazers whiff on a 26-yard cut-back run.

Leading 41-7 early in the third, the Panthers offense began to look human again, coming up empty on consecutive drives before being replaced by second stringers with just over 10 minutes to play.

Utah Tech’s Boone Abbott — who completed 12 of 22 passes for 162 yards, two interceptions and two touchdowns in relief of starter Victor Gabalis — rifled a 30-yard touchdown pass to Rickie Johnson to trim the Panthers’ lead to the 41-14 final score.

“That was the theme going into this game — was just a game to get our momentum rolling,” Schnee said. “We got some tough conference (games) coming up, so coming (away) with a big (win) today that’s definitely going to get the ball rolling.”

Schnee had a game-high 143 yards receiving on five receptions and Spencer Cuvelier led the Panthers with eight tackles and added a sack.

Day’s four total touchdowns marked a new single-game career-high for the junior and Matthew Cook’s 42- and 19-yard field goals moved him into third-place all-time in program history in total field goals made.

Tight end Alex Allen dressed but did not play while defensive end Caden Houghtelling did not dress.

UNI hosts Missouri State (2-4, 0-3) next week (4 p.m., ESPN+).