NORMAL, Ill. – UNI football couldn’t overcome a slow start, dropping an overtime contest to Illinois State, 17-10.
ISU (4-5 overall / 2-4 MVFC) led the No. 13 Panthers 10-0 until UNI tied it up in the fourth quarter with a 27-yard field goal from Matthew Cook and a four-yard touchdown reception from Sam Schnee.
The Redbirds’ 27-yard touchdown pass from Jackson Waring to Austin Nagel would seal the win. ISU was unranked coming into today’s game.
UNI (5-4 overall / 3-3 MVFC) racked up 315 yards of offense to Illinois State’s 164. UNI’s Isaiah Weston recorded another 142 yards, leading the Panthers in receiving. He led the FCS in yards per reception coming into today’s game. He improved his average to 25.38 yards per catch. He has 29 receptions for 736 yards this season.
Sergio Morancy added 68 more yards to UNI’s total with his four receptions. Bradrick Shaw was the Panthers’ leading rusher with 62 yards. Punter Nate Murphy had a season-high 10 punts for 366 yards.
Q1: ISU’s Clayton Isbell picked off Theo Day to return it 40 yards for a Redbird touchdown. The PAT put ISU up 7-0 with 4:35 left in the first quarter.
Q2: ISU’s Aidan Breshnahan booted a 45-yard field goal to put ISU up 10-0 as the second quarter came to a close.
Q4: Panthers tie up the score with a Cook field goal and Schnee touchdown.
OT: ISU’s Jackson Waring found Austin Nagel on a 27-yard pass for the touchdown to put ISU up 17-10.
UP NEXT
UNI will stay on the road to take on No. 17 Missouri State. They pulled off a 38-28 upset over No. 7 Southern Illinois. UNI leads the series 35-6. The Bears took the last meeting against the Panthers, winning 13-6 on March 20, 2021.
Fans can watch on ESPN+ or tune into the broadcast on the Panther Radio Network, including News Talk 1540 KXEL.