UNI football vs. Southern Illinois: Live stream, 3 keys to the game, prediction

CEDAR FALLS — Another week, another must-win game for the Northern Iowa football team as it goes on the road for the first time in more than a month to battle No. 24 Southern Illinois.

Picked fourth in the Missouri Valley Football Conference’s preseason poll, the Salukis (5-3, 4-1) finished their 2021 season 8-5 overall and 5-3 in conference games, but bowed out of the FCS playoffs in the second round with a 38-7 loss at North Dakota State.

Southern Illinois is led by all-MVFC quarterback Nic Baker. The Rochester, Ill., native holds program records for passing yards in a single game (460) and season (3,231) and, entering this season, was second all-time in career passing touchdowns (27) and fifth in completion percentage (6.35).

The Salukis are coming off a 27-24 loss at South Dakota in which the Coyotes engineered a second-half comeback from a two-touchdown deficit.

Here are three keys for the Panthers (4-4, 3-2) against the Salukis:

1. 3-man pressure

UNI’s switch a couple weeks ago to largely running a three-man front on defense has paid dividends in its wins against Utah Tech and Missouri State.

After considerable struggles on third down earlier this season, the Trailblazers and Bears combined to convert only five of their 18 third downs.

The success with its three-man front showed up on early downs as well in last week’s win against Missouri State. Whether it was bringing a fourth blitzer from the second level or running stunts with its three defensive linemen, UNI manufactured a season-high five sacks against the Bears.

Getting pressure with its three-man front and picking the right moments to send additional blitzers will be even more important this week against Baker and the Salukis.

2. Play-calling prowess

Along with its defense cleaning up struggles on third down, UNI’s offense has refined itself the past couple games by picking its spots on when to run and when to push the ball downfield with its formidable passing game.

While the defense’s third-down struggles were the biggest culprit to lopsided time of possession earlier this season, the offense’s heightened level of timely play-calling also has helped create a higher level of complementary football.

Both units will again need to hold up their ends of the proverbial bargain Saturday as SIU’s offense is simply too dynamic to allow lopsided time of possession and expect a win.

3. Be unpredictable

As UNI’s three-man defensive front puts more plays on film and Bodie Reeder and Ryan Clanton’s new offense continues to become less of a secret to its MVFC opponents, it will be important with only three games of the regular season remaining to self-scout and not become too predictable.

Knowing when, where and how to best implement wrinkles and adjustments to its offense and defense could prove to be the difference in the next three games between a bid to the playoffs or sitting on the couch in late November and December.

UNI at Southern Illinois

Kickoff time: 2 p.m. (CT)

TV: none

Live stream: ESPN3

Prediction: UNI 31, Southern Illinois 24