YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — UNI spent Saturday trying to climb out of a hole that began with the opening kickoff. The Panthers made a game of it, but a 28-point deficit proved too much to overcome against No. 6 Youngstown State.
The Penguins returned the opening kick 93 yards for a touchdown, scored the game’s first 28 points and held off UNI’s comeback for a 35-22 victory October 17 in Missouri Valley Football Conference action.
UNI fell to 3-3 overall and 2-1 in conference play, taking its first Valley loss one week after knocking off No. 4 North Dakota in a Homecoming thriller.
Panthers fight back on both sides of halftime
After Youngstown State built a 28-0 lead, quarterback Jaxon Dailey finally put UNI on the scoreboard late in the second quarter, connecting with Kai Black for a 24-yard touchdown.
The Panthers carried that momentum through halftime and into their first possession of the third quarter.
Ben Gordon hauled in a 29-yard pass on third-and-long to keep the drive moving. Facing fourth-and-six later in the possession, Dailey found Brady McCullough in the end zone for another touchdown. Youngstown State blocked the extra point, leaving UNI behind 28-13.
The Panthers’ defense then forced the Penguins to punt for the first time. UNI turned that stop into more points when Max Bartachek drilled a 45-yard field goal, cutting the deficit to 28-16.
Bartachek’s kick was his longest of the season and the second-longest of his career, trailing a 46-yarder at Utah Tech last year.
Youngstown State answers with decisive drive
With UNI threatening to turn a runaway into a close finish, Youngstown State responded with a 12-play, 75-yard touchdown drive. The score pushed the Penguins’ lead to 35-16 in the fourth quarter.
The Panthers reached the Youngstown State 21-yard line on their next possession but came away empty. A sack and fumble on fourth-and-15 ended the threat. UNI recovered the loose ball but turned it over on downs with 10:57 remaining.
Another defensive stop gave the Panthers possession with 7:50 left and three scores needed.
Gordon contributed a 20-yard reception, and two penalties helped UNI sustain what became its longest drive of the season. The 17-play possession ended with Dailey’s 17-yard touchdown pass to Ayden Price, his first touchdown reception of the year.
That brought UNI within 35-22, but Youngstown State recovered the ensuing onside kick and ran out the clock to finish its Homecoming victory.
Dailey throws for 318 yards
Dailey completed 28 of 49 passes for 318 yards and three touchdowns, finding Black, McCullough and Price for scores.
Black led UNI’s receivers with 74 yards on three catches. Gordon paced the rushing attack with 45 yards on four carries while also making key catches during the comeback attempt.
Calvin Jaworski led the defense with 10 tackles, reaching double figures for the second time this season.
The loss halted UNI’s unbeaten start to conference play, which included its 28-21 upset of No. 3 Illinois State before the victory over North Dakota.
Southern Illinois next
UNI will remain on the road next Saturday, October 24, traveling to Carbondale, Illinois, to face Southern Illinois.
Kickoff at Saluki Stadium is scheduled for 1 p.m. Central, with coverage on ESPN+. JW Cox and Scott “Petey” Peterson will handle the radio broadcast on 93.5 The Mix and the Panther Sports Radio Network.