CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — The UNI football team hosted the Indiana State Sycamores inside the UNI-Dome for a Halloween matchup. A tightly-contested first half gave way to a Panther barrage in the fourth quarter, sealing a 45-23 victory inside the Dome for the Panthers to remain perfect in Cedar Falls.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Panther defense came out hot, forcing an early three-and-out, including a sack by CJ Wadeand a punt early in the contest. The Cats used the field position to drive to the red zone, but were unable to convert in a goal-to-go situation, giving the Sycamores the ball back.
Indiana State was first on the board after a 22-yard field goal. The Panthers responded with a 24-yard field goal off the foot of Blake Pankratz to tie the game at three. The Cats’ defense stood tall on back-to-back possessions, forcing another punt and a fumble to get the ball in plus-territory. Mekhi Toms drilled ball-carrier and Indiana State quarterback Elijah Owens, jostling the ball loose, before Isaiah Pinks jumped on it, bringing the offense back out on the field.
With the ball on the INS 40-yard line, Christian Collins got two carries and found the end zone for UNI’s first touchdown of the contest on a 15-yard rush. Blake Pankratz converted on the PAT to give UNI a 10-3 lead. The Sycamores answered with their first touchdown drive of the day, culminating in an 18-yard reception to the paint. The PAT was missed right and UNI remained in the lead 10-9 after the drive.
With 4:45 on the game clock, the Cats drove 75 yards in eight plays to score their second touchdown of the contest. Dailey found Taj Hughes for 20 early yards in the possession before a 14-yard rush by Xavier Terrell got the Cats into enemy territory. A 19-yard catch by tight end Briggs Hughston set the Cats up in the red zone, leading to a 12-yard receiving touchdown by Taj Hughes. The Panthers led the Sycamores 17-9 after the PAT.
With 1:09 left, Indiana State, with the help of a number of UNI penalties, drove down the field and found themselves at the two-yard line of UNI. A bobbled handoff in the back field hit the deck and UNI’s Franz Reisz pounced on it with time expiring in the half. UNI held a 17-9 lead with the ball coming out of the break.
The first offensive possession of the second half saw quarterback Jaxon Dailey throw an interception to the Indiana State 43-yard line, giving the Sycamores possession early in the frame. After getting to the UNI 14-yard line, the Sycamores took a pair of penalties that knocked them back to the 33-yard line. UNI’s defense held Indiana State short of the line to gain, forcing a field goal attempt. The 41-yard kick was wide right, keeping UNI in the driver’s seat, 17-9.
A 62-yard throw from Jaxon Dailey to Brady McCullough set up the Panthers in Sycamore territory, leading to UNI’s second rushing touchdown on a nine-yard carry by Xavier Terrell. After a rushing touchdown by Indiana State on fourth down, the Cats scored their fourth touchdown of the game on another run by Christian Collinsthis on fourth-and-one from the 30-yard line. UNI held a 31-16 lead with 13:13 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Indiana State quarterback Elijah Owens scored Indiana State’s first rushing touchdown of the contest on a two-yard rush after a pass interference penalty in the end zone on the Cats placed the ball two ticks from the goal line. The Cats found the end zone on both offense and defense on the ensuing two possessions, as Xavier Terrell found the paint on a 38 yard rush, and Calvin Jaworski recorded his second pick six of the year on a 60-yard return. The Sycamores got back to the UNI two-yard line on their final drive of the day, but couldn’t punch it into the end zone, turning the ball over on downs to cement the game in the win-column for UNI.
Jaxon Dailey finished with 12 completions for 198 yards and a touchdown through the air. The ground game was dominant for the Panthers, recording 198 yards rushing. The running back room was led by Christian Collins with 107 yards and Xavier Terrell with 103, both scored a pair of touchdowns. Through the air, Taj Hughes recorded 59 yards and a touchdown on four receptions. On the defensive side of the ball, Braden McShane finished with 17 total tackles, including four solo and a sack. Piston Miller also finished with double-figure tackles, recording 10 total, including 1.5 for loss.
UP NEXT
The Panthers wrap up the home portion of the regular season on November 7, as the Cats host the Jackrabbits of South Dakota State. Brad Wells and Justin Surrency bring you live coverage from the UNI-Dome on ESPN+, with kickoff scheduled for 1 p.m. CT. JW Cox and the Hall of Famer Scott ” Petey” Peterson will be live on the air on 93.5 The Mix and the Panther Sports Radio Network.
ADDITIONAL NOTES
- UNI improves to 4-4 on the season, 3-2 in Valley play, and a perfect 4-0 inside the UNI-Dome this season with the 45-23 victory over Indiana State.
- The Panthers extended their run to 17 in a row in Cedar Falls against the Sycamores with the win.
- UNI is 4-0 inside the Dome to start the season for the first time since 2019, a season that saw the Cats go a perfect 7-0 at home.
- Christian Collins and Xavier Terrell each recorded 100+ rushing yards, the first time a Panther duo has recorded 100+ yards each on the ground since Tye Edwards (174) and Amauri Pesek-Hickson (100) against Valparaiso in 2024.
- Christian Collins finished with a career-high 107 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. Collins’ 107 yards on the ground is the most by a Panther running back this season and the most since Bill Jackson rushed for 143 yards against Murray State last season.
- Braden McShane finished with a career-high 17 total tackles against Indiana State.
UNI football action can be followed all season long on social media on Facebook (UNI Football), X (@UNIFootball) and on Instagram (@unipantherfootball). The full 2026 schedule and roster, along with the latest Panther news and information can be found online at UNIpanthers.com.
Source: unipanthers.com
