UNI football still tinkering as losing streak continues

CEDAR FALLS — Despite what’s now a seven-game losing streak, the work and adjustments continue for the Northern Iowa football team.

A 42-19 loss at No. 1 North Dakota State (9-1, 6-0) on Saturday included a second straight promising performance from the Panthers offense.

In his fourth start, redshirt sophomore quarterback Matthew Schecklman completed 22 of 32 pass attempts, throwing for 270 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.

Saturday’s encouraging performance from the UNI offense also was quarterbacks coach Trey Tinsley’s third as play-caller.

“He coaches the quarterbacks — (Filani) was doing a good job — but if you had your best-case scenario, in my opinion, the guy that should call the plays is your quarterback coach,” UNI Coach Mark Farley said. “I think it has paid dividends, because I see the growth of Schecklman, which I think has a lot to do with the growth of (Tinsley) calling it as much as teaching it.”

Another adjustment made by Farley was a three-man defensive front against the Bison.

While NDSU largely had its way against the Panthers, Farley saw reasons to be encouraged by the scheme change.

“We were in position on a lot of third downs to get off the field because of that three-man front,” Farley said. “(Against) a very good offense that struggled to really run the ball as effectively as they had been running in previous weeks against other (teams), so, felt good about that (and) how they played.”

Key to UNI’s ability to make the to a three-man front was freshman Parker Thomas starting at nose tackle.

The Sheldon native is listed at 6-foot-4, 285 pounds and more than held his own against a formidable Bison offensive line.

“He’s a great story, because on Tuesday — we had gone through some other guys and didn’t find the guy it was right to make the (switch with) — we grab Parker, a true freshman, and brought him over because he played nose tackle in high school,” Farley said. “And I tell you what, he did an outstanding job, and I don’t use that word lightly.”

UNI will look to snap its losing streak at 1 p.m. Saturday at home (ESPN+) against No. 17 Illinois State (6-3, 3-2). The Redbirds are coming off a 23-16 win at home against Youngstown State.

“It’s your typical Illinois State sound, quality football team,” Farley said.