The UNI Panthers used a balanced offensive attack to lead them to a Homecoming victory on Saturday, with a final score of 42-21.

This game marked the Panthers’ Missouri Valley Football Conference opener. UNI jumped out to a 14-0 first quarter lead on a pair of touchdown runs from Tyvis Smith and Aaron Bailey.

They were able to maintain a two-touchdown lead after trading touchdowns with Southern Illinois earlier in the second quarter. In the final minutes of the opening half, UNI was able to score not once, but twice- first on an 18-yard pass to Daurice Fountain, then on a pick-six only twenty seconds later by Malcolm Washington. This put the UNI Panthers up 35-14 at the break.

In the second half, UNI was held more in check by the Saluki defense, only scoring in the fourth quarter on another pass to Fountain.

UNI’s offense was led by Bailey, who was 11 for 18 on completions and compiled 186 passing yards, 98 yards on the ground, threw for three touchdowns and punched one in on his own as well.  Smith had 72 yards on the ground, and Fountain was Bailey’s main target in the air, finishing with 89 yards and catching all three touchdown passes.

Defensively, the Panthers were able to snatch a pair of Saluki passes. Duncan Ferch finished with an interception and a forced fumble, followed by Washington who returned his 43 yards for a touchdown. Jared Farley paced the UNI defense with nine tackles.

UNI improves to 2-2 on the season. The Panthers will travel to the Dakota Dome in Vermillion, South Dakota for a showdown with the South Dakota Coyotes. Kick-off is set for 2 p.m.