On Sept. 9, 2017, the Cal-Poly Mustangs traveled to Cedar Falls to take on the Panthers in the UNI-Dome. What followed was a wild, high-scoring affair that resulted in 83 combined points and a nail-biting finish.

The game started off fairly slow, with the only first quarter scoring coming when Cal-Poly Quarterback Khaleel Jenkins connected with Slotback Kyle Lewis from 44 yards out for a touchdown. Kicker Casey Sublette knocked in the extra point to give the Mustangs a 7-0 lead they would carry into the second quarter. Offensively, things were about to pick up.

The two teams combined for 42 points in the second quarter, 28 of which were scored by the Panthers. The Panthers scored the first two touchdowns of the half. Runningback Trevor Allen broke off a 52-yard touchdown run, and Defensive Back Elijah Campbell forced a fumble that was recovered by Lineback Jared Farley. Farley returned the fumble 48 yards for another touchdown, putting the Panthers up 14-7. The next four possessions would see Jenkins and UNI QB Eli Dunne trade touchdown passes, as the Panthers went into the half up 28-21.

Cal-Poly got the ball to begin the second half and Sublette hit a field goal from 27 yards out to close the gap on the Panthers. Both teams had some offensive struggles in the third quarter, but the Panthers did manage to find the end zone again when Dunne found Wide Receiver Daurice Fountain for a 36-yard touchdown. The Panthers went into the final quarter of play leading 35-24.

After a 45-yard field goal from K Sam Drysdale, the Panthers led 38-24. However, the Mustangs managed to stay alive when Jenkins punched in one touchdown on the ground and another one through the air with less than a minute to play to send the game to overtime.

The Panthers got the ball to begin overtime, and Dunne once again found Fountain for a touchdown. This put the Panthers up 45-38. Needing a touchdown to stay alive, the Mustangs ended up losing nine yards on their possession and UNI escaped with the victory.

QB Eli Dunne finished the game with 325 passing yards to go along with four touchdowns. WR Daurice Fountain also had a big game, catching five passes for 75 yards and three touchdowns. Defensively, LB Duncan Ferch led the team with 15 tackles.