UNI football vs. North Dakota State: Live stream, 3 keys to the game, score prediction (Nov. 2, 2024)

CEDAR FALLS — Northern Iowa faces its fifth of six straight ranked Missouri Valley Football Conference opponents — and its second No. 1-ranked foe of the season — this Saturday at North Dakota State.

UNI (2-6 0-4) enters Saturday’s game against the Bison (8-1, 5-0) with a 30-26 deficit in the series all-time and a 4-12 record under Coach Mark Farley. The Panthers also enter the game with a six-game losing streak, the longest of Farley’s 24-year tenure.

North Dakota State is coming off a 59-6 win at Murray State.

Averaging 37.3 points per game, the Bison offense ranks first in the conference. Meanwhile, UNI’s defense ranks eighth in the MVFC, allowing 31.25 points per game.

North Dakota State presents a balanced attack, averaging 228.8 yards passing and 198.6 rushing per game.

Dual-threat quarterback Cam Miller leads the NDSU offense. The Solon native averages nearly 200 yards passing and 30 yards rushing per game. This has been his most efficient season, too, having thrown 16 touchdowns and no interceptions.

Allowing 15.3 points per game, the Bison defense ranks third in the MVFC and is led by junior linebacker Logan Kopp, a preseason first-team All-MVFC honoree.

Here are three keys to the game for the Panthers.

1. Run it back

UNI’s run game demonstrated a revival last week despite the loss to Missouri State, totaling 215 yards on 42 carries.

Meanwhile, redshirt sophomore quarterback Matthew Schecklman had the best game of his three starts and the offense put up a season-high 42 points.

NDSU has a more formidable run defense than the Bears, but success with the run game earlier this season at Nebraska seemed to indicate UNI would be able to hang its hat on running the ball this season. It’ll need to be able to do so against the Bison to have a chance at a win.

2. Scheck it out

With 270 passing yards and another 48 rushing yards, along with three passing touchdowns, Schecklman had the best performance of his young career last Saturday.

The redshirt sophomore continues to demonstrate arm strength and an ability to extend plays or gain yardage with his legs.

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Did UNI find an answer at quarterback in Matthew Schecklman?

If he’s able to be a dual threat against NDSU, the Panthers ought to be able to generate points in the hostile territory that is the FargoDome.

3. A (defensive) step forward

As promising as the run game and Schecklman were last week, UNI’s defense has to find any way it can to take a step forward and begin limiting offenses.

Anything short of something resembling progress this week means the long-shot chance of an upset will remain just that — a long shot.

UNI at North Dakota State (Nov. 2, 2024)

Kickoff time: 2:30 p.m. (CT)

Stream: ESPN+

Radio: 93.5 The Mix (App available), Panther Sports Radio Network (via TuneIn)

Prediction: North Dakota State 38, UNI 21