CEDAR FALLS — The UNI Panther football team turned its home opener into a rout Saturday, piling up 56 points and shutting out Drake in the second half on the way to a 56-14 victory inside the UNI-Dome.
The win came during Hall of Fame weekend and moved UNI to 1-1 after the Panthers dropped their season opener to Eastern Washington, 34-24.
This time, there was no second-half fade.
UNI scored 28 points in each half, forced a pile of Drake turnovers and produced its highest-scoring home performance in more than a decade.
The Panther defense set the tone immediately.
John Powers intercepted Drake on the opening possession, recording the first pick of his college career and UNI’s first interception of the season.
The Panthers quickly cashed in.
Ben Gordon took an end-around 12 yards for the first UNI touchdown inside the UNI-Dome this season — and the first touchdown of Gordon’s collegiate career.
UNI’s defense forced another punt after CJ Wade delivered a 10-yard sack, and the Panthers went back to work.
A 34-yard reception by Cyrus Courtney pushed UNI into Drake territory before quarterback Jaxon Dailey connected with Brady McCullough for a 14-yard touchdown and a 14-0 advantage.
McCullough wasn’t finished.
Drake broke through with a 43-yard touchdown pass, but McCullough caught two more touchdown passes before halftime.
One of those scores was set up when Josiah Young intercepted the Bulldogs and returned the ball to the Drake 27-yard line.
By halftime, UNI held a 28-14 lead, with McCullough already owning three touchdown receptions.
The second half belonged completely to the Panthers.
UNI’s defense did not allow another point, adding two fumble recoveries, another interception and a turnover on downs.
Christian Collins pushed the lead higher with a seven-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.
Then Calvin Jaworski jumped a Drake route and took the interception all the way to the end zone for a pick-six — UNI’s first defensive touchdown of the season.
It was also the Panthers’ first pick-six since Woo Governor returned two interceptions for touchdowns against Western Illinois in 2022.
UNI kept piling it on.
Michael Bormann powered into the end zone from two yards out for his first career touchdown.
Caleb Kamara followed with his own first career score, racing 28 yards around the edge to put UNI ahead 56-14.
Dailey finished the afternoon with 242 passing yards and three touchdowns.
Jaiden Ellis-Lahey and Courtney led UNI’s receivers with 59 yards apiece, while McCullough made the most of his opportunities, turning just 16 receiving yards into three touchdowns.
McCullough became the first Panther with three receiving touchdowns in a game since Sergio Morancy accomplished the feat against Indiana State in 2024.
Kamara led UNI on the ground with 49 rushing yards and a touchdown.
Powers finished with a team-high nine tackles to go along with his interception.
Max Bartachek converted all seven of his extra-point attempts before Rico Alvarenga-Servellon came on to kick the final PAT.
The 56 points were the most scored by UNI in a home game since the Panthers hung 59 on Indiana State in 2015.
UNI improved to 14-10 at home against Drake and 4-1 against the Bulldogs inside the UNI-Dome.
The schedule gets considerably tougher next.
UNI heads to Iowa City on Saturday, September 19, for a showdown with the Iowa Hawkeyes. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m., with the game televised on FS1.