CEDAR FALLS – The UNI Panthers faced off with the Wildcats of Weber State on Saturday afternoon in their home opener for the 2023 season, dropping the contest 34-17.
The Panthers won the toss and elected to receive. The matchup started with a pair of chunk plays including an 11-yard rush from Theo Day and a 13-yard reception from Sam Schnee. The drive ultimately ended with a UNI punt from Noah Pettinger that went through the back of the end zone.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Wildcats started their first offensive possession of the game with a 77-yard touchdown which set up a three-yard touchdown run to take the early lead on just two plays. UNI responded with their first home scoring drive of the season, set up by a 28-yard reception by Sergio Morancy and a 15-yard run by Tye Edwards. Morancy’s reception moved Theo Day to No. 7 all-time in passing yards, passing Larry Miller (1981-84). The drive was capped off by a 39-yard field goal from Matthew Cook, cutting the Wildcat lead to 7-3.
Both teams traded three and outs before the Panthers marched back down the field after a 31-yard reception from Morancy. The Wildcats would get the ball back after a forced fumble on the Weber State 22-yard line. The very next play, the Panthers got the ball back with Dalesean Staley’s first interception of his career at the UNI 35-yard line.
The first play of the second quarter saw a 35-yard reception from Sam Schnee to take the Panthers to the Weber State 30-yard line. His reception set up the first UNI touchdown in the UNI-Dome this year as Day’s push-throw found Schnee in the end zone on a five-yard score to put the Panthers ahead 10-7. Day’s touchdown pass marked his 24th consecutive game with a scoring pass, extending his school record broken a week ago.
The Wildcats would drive 80 yards in 12 plays in the ensuing drives, which culminated in their second touchdown on a 26-yard run by Damon Bankston to take the 14-10 lead. The Panthers wouldn’t let Weber State hold the lead for long until they scored their second touchdown of the evening on a one-yard rush by Tye Edwards which was set up by a 14-yard reception also by Edwards. Weber State would convert in the final seconds of the half with a 19-yard field goal to tie the game at 17-17 entering halftime.
UNI opened the second half on defense and stood tough, forcing an early punt. Pinned in their own end zone, the Panthers would turn the ball over on a tipped pass which set up a 10-yard touchdown pass by WSU’s Kylan Weisser to Hayden Meacham to give the Wildcats a 24-17 advantage. Weber State extended their lead with 5:55 left in the game with a 43-yard field goal which followed a muffed punt, giving the Wildcats another shot at the end zone.
The Wildcats capitalized on UNI errors down the stretch and added seven more points off a 58-yard rush by Damon Bankson to score the final touchdown of the game.
ADDITIONAL NOTES
Theo Day led the game through the air with 23 completions for 312 yards.
Sergio Morancy led the contest with 120 receiving yards on six receptions for a 20-yard average. He finished with the second most receiving yards in his career after today’s game.
Tye Edwards led the Panthers on the ground with 53 yards and a rushing touchdown.
UNI recognized their 2023 Hall of Fame inductees at halftime of the game. This year’s class includes Paige (Knodle) Bohannon and Terrance Reid (Track & Field), Ryan Helming (Football), Sean Stender (Wrestling), The 2010-11 women’s basketball team, Karen (Vande Voort) Harrell (Merlin Taylor Academic), and Julie Bright(Dr. Jitu D. Kothari Meritorious Service Award).
UP NEXT
The Panthers will wrap up their non-conference schedule with a matchup at Idaho State on September 16 at 5 p.m. CT The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and on the Panther Sports Radio Network.
