CEDAR FALLS — The Northern Iowa Panthers pulled off another stunning college football upset Saturday, October 10, 2026, using a blocked-punt touchdown, a relentless defense and a barrage of North Dakota turnovers to topple the fourth-ranked Fighting Hawks, 24-17, before a Homecoming crowd inside the UNI-Dome.
The victory marked UNI’s second consecutive triumph over a top-five opponent and improved the Panthers to 3-2 overall and 2-0 in Missouri Valley Football Conference play.
Just two weeks earlier, the Panthers stunned No. 3 Illinois State, 28-21, in the UNI-Dome. Now UNI has defeated highly ranked opponents in consecutive home games, a feat the program last accomplished in 2014.
Blocked punt ignites wild first-quarter explosion
Northern Iowa opened with a 39-yard field goal from Max Bartachek. North Dakota answered with an eight-yard touchdown run to take a 7-3 lead.
Linebacker Andrew Price then blocked a Fighting Hawks punt, recovered the bouncing ball and returned it 36 yards for a UNI touchdown. On the next North Dakota possession, Braden McShane intercepted a pass to set up the Panthers at the UND 21-yard line.
Three plays later, quarterback Jaxon Dailey found Brady McCullough for an 18-yard touchdown, putting UNI ahead 17-7. North Dakota then fumbled a handoff at its own 20. Michael Bormann scored on a two-yard run to give the Panthers a 24-7 lead with 12:58 remaining in the second quarter.
Defense holds firm through chaotic first half
Jaylen Pettus made a nine-yard sack to halt one North Dakota series, while UNI’s defense repeatedly stopped the Fighting Hawks on critical downs.
After a North Dakota punt struck a UNI player and was recovered by the visitors at the Panthers’ 34-yard line, the defense held North Dakota to a 28-yard field goal. John Powers later forced a fumble that Jordan McClom recovered, but North Dakota blocked a late UNI field goal attempt. The Panthers led 24-10 at halftime.
More takeaways after halftime
On the second-half kickoff, BJ Johnson helped force a North Dakota fumble, and AJ Vaughn recovered it at the Fighting Hawks’ 23-yard line. UNI missed a 39-yard field goal but soon forced another takeaway when Axel Ramazani deflected a pass into the hands of Kolben Miller.
The Panthers remained ahead 24-10 entering the fourth quarter, although North Dakota was driving deep into UNI territory.
Panthers shut down fourth-quarter comeback
North Dakota’s backup quarterback scored on a one-yard run early in the fourth quarter after the starter was injured during the drive, cutting UNI’s lead to 24-17.
The Fighting Hawks had further opportunities to tie the game, but UNI forced two punts and then a turnover on downs, allowing the Panthers to take the victory formation and secure the Homecoming upset.
UNI football leaders and next game
Dailey completed 12 of 20 passes with a touchdown. Christian Collins rushed 11 times for 64 yards, while Bormann and McCullough scored on offense. Price’s blocked-punt return was his first collegiate touchdown.
Calvin Jaworski led the defense with 11 tackles, including five solo stops. UNI improved to 17-6 at home against North Dakota.
The Panthers visit Youngstown State on Saturday, October 17, with kickoff scheduled for 5 p.m. Central at Stambaugh Stadium. The game will be available on ESPN+.