UNI football vs. South Dakota State: Live stream, 3 keys to the game, score prediction (Oct. 5, 2024)

CEDAR FALLS — Northern Iowa will have to knock off top-ranked South Dakota State at the UNI-Dome Saturday to snap its two-game losing streak.

UNI (2-2) enters Saturday’s game against the two-time defending FCS national champions with a 33-25-2 lead in the series all-time, but has lost four of its last five regular-season meetings against the Jackrabbits.

South Dakota State (3-1) is coming off a 41-0 win at Southeastern Louisiana. The Jackrabbits have outscored opponents 110-27 in their three wins this season, with their only loss coming in Week 1 at then-No. 17 Oklahoma State, 44-20.

SDSU is led by senior quarterback Mark Gronowski, the FCS’ most-decorated quarterback. Meanwhile, running backs Amar Johnson and Kirby Vorhees have the Jackrabbits run game ranked first in the MVFC, averaging 232 yards per game.

Senior linebacker Adam Bock — a former Solon prep — leads an SDSU defense that ranks second in the MVFC in total defense (292.5 yards per game) and scoring defense (17.75 points allowed per game).

Here are three keys to the game for the Panthers.

1. Complementary football

A handful of great plays here and there are unlikely to be enough to beat a team as formidable as South Dakota State.

The Panthers’ offense, defense and special teams will all need to have their best performances of the season and complement one another to make an upset possible.

Time of possession, ball security, field position, preventing big plays and limiting penalties are just some of the fundamental elements UNI must execute to topple the Jackrabbits.

2. Quarterback quandary

UNI Coach Mark Farley said this week sophomore quarterback Matthew Schecklman has an opportunity to start after relieving Aidan Dunne in the third quarter of the loss at Hawaii two weeks ago.

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A potential switch at quarterback at this point of the season makes sense given last week’s bye. However, if Schecklman’s performance proves no better than Dunne’s, valuable time that could have been spent building more rhythm with a still inexperienced, incumbent starter will have been lost. It’s a reasonable chance to take, but a costly one if it offers little to no return.

3. ‘Air Raid’ revival?

Offensive play-caller Joel Filani told The Gazette this week that more aggressiveness and pushing the ball deep is what’s needed to get the Panthers’ “Air Raid” offense going.

While better timing with receivers and protection from the offensive line go into any deep passing game, UNI’s quarterbacks may have to simply accept more perceived risk than they’ve been comfortable with to this point to bring life to the offense.

UNI vs. South Dakota State

Kickoff time: 4 p.m.

Stream: ESPN+

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

Prediction: South Dakota State 31, UNI 17