UNI football begins November with trip to face No. 2 North Dakota State

Editor’s note: Ninth in a 12-part series looking at the Northern Iowa football opponents in 2024

CEDAR FALLS — A rugged Missouri Valley Football Conference schedule sends Northern Iowa to rival North Dakota State in November.

The second-ranked Bison — picked second in the MVFC’s preseason poll — enter the 2024 season with typical expectations despite being under the guidance of first-year head coach Tim Polasek.

Polasek previously had two stints in Fargo of eight and three years under Craig Bohl and Chris Kleiman, respectively. Polasek also spent four years as Iowa’s offensive line coach from 2017 to 2020.

Former Solon prep Cam Miller headlines the Bison returnees on offense. The senior quarterback is one of the FCS’ best dual-threats, having thrown for 2,688 yards and run for 629 and 13 touchdowns last season.

In what’s typically one of the, if not the, best position groups annually in the FCS, running backs Barika Kpeenu and TK Marshall return after combining for nearly 900 yards in 2023 as the second and third-string ball carriers.

NDSU maintains depth at wide receiver, despite losing its top two targets from last season, and only two starters return on the offensive line.

First team All-America safety Cole Wisniewski and preseason first team All-MVFC linebacker Logan Kopp lead a Bison defense that finished fourth in the conference, allowing 19.9 points per game.

UNI at North Dakota State: 3 things to watch

1. Football 101

A large part of NDSU’s dominance can be attributed to its uncomplicated approach. The Bison consistently win at the line of scrimmage, stay ahead of the chains, limit turnovers and are sound on special teams.

The execution of those always important factors is at the center of what makes them such a consistently formidable opponent.

UNI must match or exceed NDSU in those fundamental categories at the Fargodome on Nov. 2. Otherwise, an upset won’t be in the cards.

2. Battle tested? Or, battle weary?

The Panthers’ schedule is tough enough to make or break a team. The matchup against the Bison will be their fourth ranked opponent in five weeks and third on the road.

What transpires in Fargo could be quite telling as to whether or not this team has the depth, as well as mental and physical endurance to withstand the rigor of their schedule.

3. Miller time

A UNI upset will require a better effort against the NDSU quarterback.

Miller torched the Panthers in a 48-27 win at the UNI-Dome last season, completing 17 of 22 passes for 239 yards and two touchdowns while adding 34 yards rushing and a third touchdown.

Prediction for UNI at North Dakota State

UNI’s struggles in Fargo — like nearly all other teams — continue, putting its proverbial back against the wall when it comes to making the playoffs.

Now 4-5, the Panthers would likely need to win out. That would include a win at home against 19th-ranked Illinois State, a road win at No. 25 Youngstown State and a home win in the regular-season finale against Indiana State.