What’s wrong with the UNI offense? ‘Our biggest enemy right now is ourselves,’ coordinator Bodie Reeder says

CEDAR FALLS — While Northern Iowa’s offense has performed well below its own expectations through two games this season, there’s reason to not be pressing the proverbial panic button.

The Panthers (0-2) have faced one of the FBS’ and FCS’ toughest defenses through two weeks in Iowa State (1-1) and Weber State (2-0).

Second-year UNI offensive coordinator Bodie Reeder acknowledged the strength of those defenses this week, but pointed out preventable errors cannot continue to happen, regardless of the opponent.

“Obviously you want to give respect to two well-coached football teams, and they do a really good job, but our biggest enemy right now is ourselves,” Reeder said. “Just making what we (call) unforced errors. Our guys are expecting success and they’re expecting big things this year out of the offense, and there’s been flashes of it, it just hasn’t been consistent enough.”

When it comes to making things easier on quarterback Theo Day, Reeder admitted he needs to be more stubborn with the running game. Going as far to describe his history as a college quarterback can sometimes offer an instinctual allure of the next passing play being the next game-breaking play.

“I have to take responsibility for what’s (happened). I have to get our guys into a better situation to be successful,” Reeder said. “Our guys are just busting their butts. It is just making sure that we’re not running the ball into unblocked people or running the ball at bad angles and that’s on me.”

Reeder described quick passing plays as another elixir for more protection for Day, who’s been sacked 10 times in two games.

“Theo is extremely aggressive and that’s what makes him really good. So you have to be conscious of what’s going through his mind,” Reeder said. “At the same time we have to play scheme football and the quick game (plays) that can catch and release and get the ball out helps everybody.”

Whether it’s scheme, play-calling or simply execution that can help UNI’s offense take a step forward, Reeder’s offense has proven through 13 games that it operates best when all 11 players are playing with confidence. That’s something he believes can be recaptured quickly.

“I think that (we) saw it at times in the second half of the Iowa State game and then the first half of Weber State,” Reeder said. “What we have got to do is just do it on a consistent basis. Just put four quarters together. This (offense) ain’t broken, man.”

Next up for the Panthers is a road test Saturday (5 p.m., ESPN+) at Idaho State (0-2). The Bengals were picked last in the Big Sky Conference’s preseason poll, but almost upset FBS foe San Diego State in Week 1, falling 36-28.

Reeder pointed out Idaho State runs a similar defense to what UNI saw in Week 1 at Iowa State. Bengals defense coordinator Josh Runda was a quality control assistant for the Cyclones from 2021-2022.

“We’re expecting a really, really good football team that’s running a scheme that I wouldn’t say that we’re used to, but I would say that we’ve seen before,” Reeder said.