HONOLULU, Oahu — The Panthers wrapped up the non-conference slate with a matchup at Hawaii. The Rainbow Warriors took control of the game early and didn’t let up, taking home the 36-7 victory.
The Panthers started with the ball on a drive that ended with UNI’s first fumble of the season. A 24-yard reception for a touchdown from Hawaii quarterback Brayden Schager to Jonah Panoke gave the Rainbow Warriors the 7-0 lead.
The next Panther offensive drive looked to have the offense churning before the drive was stymied and UNI was forced to punt. The following Rainbow Warrior drive saw a 59-yard reception by wide-out Dekel Crowdus which set up a six-yard touchdown reception by receiver Pofele Ashlock. Hawaii went for two and converted to take a 15-0 lead. A punt on the next Panther drive was followed by a 20-yard touchdown reception by Hawaii’s Ashlock to put the Rainbow Warriors ahead by 22 at 22-0.
A 12-yard run by Amauri Pesek-Hickson and a 26-yard reception by Derek Anderson set up a three-yard touchdown run from Aidan Dunne to put the Panthers on the board. Caden Palmer notched the PAT to cut the Panther deficit to 15 at 22-7. The Rainbow Warriors drove into Panther territory on their next two offensive possessions but were met with back-to-back interceptions. The first was recorded by Robbie Peterson Jr. and the second by Tucker Langenberg. The clock ran out on the Panthers’ offensive possession and sent the teams into the locker room for halftime.
The Rainbow Warriors opened the second half with a punt which was followed by a Panther punt before a pair of Hawaii touchdowns to put the Panthers in a four-score hole at 36-7. The Hawaii defense forced another UNI punt and ran out the clock on the next drive to take home the victory.
Aidan Dunne finished the game with 13 completions on 20 attempts for 104 yards. Sergio Morancy led the receiving group with 38 yards on 4 receptions. On the ground, Amauri Pesek-Hickson led the backs with 43 yards.
ADDITIONAL NOTES
The Panthers fell to 0-2 all-time against Hawaii after the 7-36 loss. They move to 2-2 in the 2024 season.
Robbie Peterson Jr.’s interception in the second quarter was the first of his Panther career.
Tucker Langenberg’s interception in the second quarter was his first of the 2024 season and the second of his career.
UP NEXT
The Panthers get some time off with the bye week coming up next weekend. UNI’s next matchup comes on October 5 when they open MVFC play and take on the Jackrabbits of South Dakota State for Family Weekend. Kickoff is slated for 4 p.m. CT inside the UNI-Dome and will be broadcast on ESPN+ and can be listened to on the Panther Sports Radio Network.