UNI football debuts air raid offense in spring game

CEDAR FALLS — More function than flash was present from Northern Iowa’s new “air raid” offense at Friday night’s annual spring game.

Coach Mark Farley didn’t split his roster into teams, but had officials at the UNI-Dome to create a game-like atmosphere over four 15-minute quarters — the last two with a running clock.

“I think I found out about some things that we’ve got to get corrected,” Farley said. “Pace of play, pace of calls. As I watched them from a distance, offense needs to get some things cleaned up.”

Arkansas State transfer Jaxon Dailey started at quarterback and completed several check-down passes on an opening drive that ended with a 42-yard field goal from Caden Palmer. The scrimmage’s first touchdown didn’t come until 7:02 remaining in the second quarter when Dailey returned after a number of series with Aidan Dunne at quarterback. The former Southeast Polk standout Dailey connected with Sergio Morancy in the back corner of the end zone on a 25-yard touchdown pass.

“What was good was the quarterback’s communication,” Farley said. “For the quarterbacks to do what they do and the calls they have to make on the line of scrimmage within the timing of the clock — that first and second (units) really did a nice job. I like (Dunne and Dailey) both right now.”

UNI’s offense found the end zone for a third and final time with 9:12 remaining when redshirt sophomore quarterback Matthew Shecklman connected with running back Josh Jenkins out of the backfield for a 7-yard touchdown pass.

UNI’s first-team offense included Tye Edwards at running back, Layne Pryor at tight end, Jaiden Ellis-Lahey, Sergio Morancy and JC Roque Jr. at wide receiver and Jared Penning, Blake Anderson, Keean Kamerling, Hayden Amos and Tristan Roper from left to right along the offensive line.

The Panthers first-team defense debuted with Cannon Butler and Malik Stewart at defensive end, Jack Kriebs and Carter Hewitt at defensive tackle, Ben Belken and Caleb Frazer at linebacker, Mo Olowo and JJ Dervil at safety, Fletcher Marshall and Robbie Peterson Jr. and Albert Nunes at nickelback.

“Clean up our defense, clean up the coaching (chemistry) and get the offense totally in sync because there’s more things they have to do. A little bit of personnel things we’ve got to take care of on defense and savviness on special teams and I think we’ll be where we need to be,” Farley said.