UNI running backs shine in ‘Air Raid-adjacent’ offense as Panthers open with 35-7 win over Valpo

CEDAR FALLS — The debut of Northern Iowa’s “Air Raid” offense in Saturday’s season opener against Valparaiso quickly developed into a “Ground Raid” in a 35-7 blowout of the Beacons at the UNI-Dome.

A 28-7 halftime lead was largely built with a two-headed rushing attack that featured Tye Edwards and Amauri Pesek-Hickson, who finished with 174 and 100 yards respectively.

“We learned we’re going to be really effective in the run game,” UNI quarterback Aidan Dunne said. “So, building the other elements of our offense is going to be very vital for us. Throwing the ball downfield — as coach Farley likes to say we’re ‘Air Raid-adjacent’ — so a lot of the concepts (but) got in a lot of 12 personnel today (to run).”

Edwards ran for two of the Panthers’ four first-half touchdowns, breaking loose for 54 and 12-yard touchdowns in the second quarter.

Flashes of an “Air Raid” offense did happen in the first quarter when Dunne — making his first career start at quarterback — completed a 21-yard touchdown pass to Layne Pryor.

“It was great. I knew me and Aidan had a good connection all fall camp,” Pryor said. “That play was dialed up — I knew once we called it there was a good chance I was getting the ball if we got the look and he put a great ball out there and (I just) made a play on it.”

Dunne’s second passing TD came on the following drive — a screen to Pesek-Hickson that the running back took 20 yards into the end zone, making a couple Valparaiso defenders miss on the way.

“It was great to get off to a good start like that,” Dunne said. “We were running the ball, the big guys up front were moving people and I just had plenty of time to find open guys.”

The Panthers’ only blemish came midway through the second quarter when Rowan Keefe’s swing pass to running back Michael Mansaray got around the edge and went 61 yards into the red zone. Two plays, later Mansaray ran for a 1-yard touchdown.

Leading 28-7 to begin the second half, UNI’s defense forced a Valparaiso three-and-out and Edwards added another big chunk to his rushing total with a 49-yard run to the Beacons’ 22. Five plays later, Dunne tossed a well-placed fade toward the back pylon that Sergio Morancy came down with for a 5-yard touchdown.

UNI took its proverbial foot off the gas in the fourth quarter by featuring third-string running back Harrison Bey-Buie, who racked up 70 yards on 15 carries in the quarter.

The Panthers defense put together impressive numbers against a Beacons offense that struggled last season.

The Beacons gained just 124 yards on 36 plays — 108 passing and 16 rushing. Carter Hewitt totaled two tackles for loss and 1 1/2 sacks, while UNI’s defense totaled three. Safety Jonathan Cabral-Martin led the Panthers in tackles with seven.

“We were hitting (well),” Farley said. “I was looking at the physicality of the game and you see it in the (run defense). They got off to a good start today. We can build off this.”

Dunne finished 12-for-17 with 116 yards and three touchdowns. Pryor led all receivers with three catches for 44 yards.

“We played with a purpose. We set the tone of the game,” Farley said. “Anytime you can rush the football you control the attitude of the game as much as the tempo of the game. I was just pleased with our football team. Some of the game management things they did from the play-calling to the players. I hate to use the word excellent, but once in a while you get excellence and they did a nice job.”

UNI (1-0) travels to St. Thomas (0-1) next Saturday. Kickoff at O’Shaughnessy Stadium in St. Paul, Minn., is at 1 p.m..