UNI football at North Dakota: Live stream, 3 keys to the game

CEDAR FALLS — No. 24 Northern Iowa is looking to bounce back in its Missouri Valley Football Conference opener at North Dakota this week.

Picked seventh in the MVFC preseason poll, the Fighting Hawks (0-1) finished 2021 5-6 and are coming off a 38-17 Week 1 loss at Nebraska.

North Dakota is led on offense by junior quarterback Tommy Schuster. Schuster led the MVFC in completion percentage (65.5 percent) a season ago and finished fourth in passing yards per game (226.6).

Defensively the Fighting Hawks ranked fourth in the MVFC last season, allowing 20.3 points per game. UND returned six of 11 starters on offense this season and only four on defense.

Saturday’s game is the 38th in the series’ history and the Panthers (0-1) hold the all-time advantage, 24-13.

Here’s three keys for UNI against North Dakota:

1. Back to good defense

While it’s necessary to view last week’s defensive breakdowns through a lens that accounts for Air Force having had the country’s top running game the previous two seasons, there’s also reason for concern with the Panthers’ defensive debut.

Uncharacteristic mistakes such as bad angles, poor tackling and not getting off blocks were staring the Panthers in the face when it came time to look at the film. Coach Mark Farley told The Gazette this week that the way in which his defense became overmatched against the Falcons has potential to be a serious blow to a unit’s confidence.

So, a short memory and keeping things simple sure seems like it could go a long way for UNI against North Dakota. The Fighting Hawks are not a juggernaut, but are built to play fundamental, mistake-free football that gives them a chance to win each week. If the Panthers continue to make uncharacteristic errors they’re likely looking at an 0-2 start to their season.

2. Keep building

The 405 total yards and 7.2 yards per play were just a couple stats to prove how good of a start UNI’s new offense got off to in last week’s season opener.

Wide receivers found separation and space at a near mind-blowing frequency when based off what’s been seen in recent seasons, and quarterback Theo Day looked like a great fit as the ball distributor in Bodie Reeder and Ryan Clanton’s new scheme.

If not for a false start, a dropped pass that was intercepted and a Theo Day fumble in the red zone last week, a good performance could’ve been a great one.

Simply limiting errors and building upon last week’s successes feels like the recipe for an offensive performance that can overmatch North Dakota’s defense.

3. Third phase phenoms

When Matthew Cook made his UNI debut at Iowa State in 2019 converting 50- and 49-yard field goals as a true freshman he quickly earned a phenom label that’s proven correct as he’s developed into an All-American.

Redshirt freshman punter Cael Loecher made his debut last week at Air Force, and while it may not have been as exciting as Cook’s, three of his four punts were downed well inside the Falcons 20-yard line and two of the four punts traveled more than 50 yards.

After being one of the MVFC’s worst punting teams last season, Loecher’s debut could be a major development for UNI in a conference where field position figures into nearly every game’s result.

UNI at North Dakota

Kickoff time: 3 p.m. (CT)

Line: N/A

TV: none

Live stream: ESPN3

Prediction: UNI 27, North Dakota 20