On Saturday, Nov. 11, the UNI football team had an away matchup with conference opponent Missouri State. Coming into the game, the Panthers were on a three-game winning streak, and had a record of 5-1 in conference and 6-3 overall. With just two weeks remaining, the game was a big one for the Panthers, who are looking to claim a playoff spot. Unfortunately, the Bears proved to be too much for the Panthers, handing them the loss.
The game started out with both teams struggling to get anything going. The Bears had a decent first drive going, but UNI’s Cannon Butler had a strip sack and recovery at the UNI 40-yard line. The Panthers made their way into Missouri State territory as well, but an interception thrown by Theo Day put an end to the drive. With both teams early struggles, it was the Bears that got the first points of the game. With 6:32 left in the first quarter, Jordan Pachot completed a 19-yard touchdown pass to Jmariyae Robinson. UNI followed up the Bears’ drive with a solid drive of their own, but were forced to settle for a field goal deep inside enemy territory. The score was 7-3 after the first.
In the second quarter, the Bears really got things going. Early in the quarter, Pachot completed a couple big passes that moved them down the field quickly. They finished the drive off with his second touchdown of the day, when he connected with Raylen Sharpe from 14 yards out. Following a Day interception on the Panthers next drive, the Bears offense got the ball on the UNI 7-yard line. With not too far to go, they managed to get another score. Sharpe had his third touchdown of the day, this time connecting with Gary Clinton. This made the score 21-3 in favor of the Bears, and that would be the score going into the second half.
With the start of the second half, the Panthers had a lot of work to do if they wanted to get back into the ball game. The first drive did not show much hope in a comeback, as the Panthers had a quick three-and-out. Offense was hard to come by for both teams in the third quarter, as the only points came from the leg of UNI kicker Matthew Cook. He nailed two field goals in the quarter, and the Panthers trailed 21-9 going into the fourth.
With both offenses being stagnant in the third quarter, the Bears woke back up in the fourth. Pachot had a good connection going with Sharpe. Sharpe had a 35-yard catch, and the touchdown catch on the drive, his second of the game. For Pachot, it was his fourth touchdown pass. The touchdown extended the lead to 28-9, and it was looking like the Panthers were going to be sent home with the loss. Another Bears touchdown, this time a 14-yard run from running back Jayden Becks, put the finishing touches on the Bears dominant victory. The Panthers managed a score late in the game on a 66-yard touchdown pass from Day to receiver Sam Schnee, but it was too little too late. The Bears sent the Panthers home with the loss, 35-16.
Following the loss to Missouri State, UNI’s record moved to 5-2 in conference play, and 6-4 overall. The Panthers will finish off the regular season on Saturday, Nov. 18, when they take on North Dakota State at home.
