2025 Northern Iowa Panthers football team

Last updated

2025 Northern Iowa Panthers football
Northern Iowa Panthers wordmark.svg
Conference Missouri Valley Football Conference
Record2–2 (0–0 MVFC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorNate Thompson (1st season)
Defensive coordinatorAl Smith (1st season)
Home stadium UNI-Dome
Seasons
←  2024
2026 →
2025 Missouri Valley Football Conference standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
No. 1 North Dakota State  0 –0   3 –0  
No. 2 South Dakota State  0 –0   3 –0  
No. 7 Illinois State  0 –0   3 –1  
No. 11 Southern Illinois  0 –0   3 –1  
No. 24 Youngstown State  0 –0   3 –1  
Indiana State  0 –0   2 –2  
No. 14 North Dakota  0 –0   2 –2  
Northern Iowa  0 –0   2 –2  
No. 17 South Dakota  0 –0   2 –2  
Murray State  0 –0   0 –4  
As of September 22, 2025
Rankings from STATS Poll

The 2025 Northern Iowa Panthers football team represent the University of Northern Iowa in the 2025 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Panthers compete as a member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) and are led by first-year head coach Todd Stepsis. [1] Stepsis takes over for longtime coach Mark Farley, who retired from coaching at the end of the 2024 season. [2] Stepsis is assisted by first-year offensive coordinator Nate Thompson and first-year defensive coordinator Al Smith. The Panthers play home games at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Contents

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
August 301:00 p.m. Butler *
 ESPN+ W 38–149,079
September 63:00 p.m.at Wyoming *
 Altitude2 L 7–3125,009
September 134:00 p.m. Eastern Washington *
  • UNI-Dome
  • Cedar Falls, IA
ESPN+W 17–1410,774
September 207:00 p.m.at Utah Tech *
ESPN+L 9–204,784
October 44:00 p.m. North Dakota Dagger-14-plain.png
  • UNI-Dome
  • Cedar Falls, IA
ESPN+
October 112:00 p.m.at South Dakota State
ESPN+
October 181:00 p.m. South Dakota
  • UNI-Dome
  • Cedar Falls, IA
ESPN+
October 252:00 p.m.at Southern Illinois
TBA
November 12:00 p.m.at Illinois State
ESPN+
November 81:00 p.m. Murray State
  • UNI-Dome
  • Cedar Falls, IA
TBA
November 152:30 p.m.at North Dakota State
ESPN+
November 221:00 p.m. Youngstown State
  • UNI-Dome
  • Cedar Falls, IA
TBA
  • *Non-conference game
  • Dagger-14-plain.pngHomecoming
  • All times are in Central time

[3] [4]

Preseason

MVFC poll

The Missouri Valley Football Conference released its preseason poll on July 21, 2025, voted on by league athletic directors, coaches, and media members. The Panthers were predicted to finish eighth in the conference. [5]

Game summaries

All times are Central time

Butler

Butler Bulldogs (0–0) at Northern Iowa Panthers (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Bulldogs770014
Panthers10714738

at UNI-Dome, Cedar Falls, IA

  • Date: August 30
  • Game time: 1:00 PM
  • Game weather: Indoors; 72 °F (22 °C)
  • Game attendance: 9,079
  • Referee: David Hergert
  • TV: ESPN+
Game information
First quarter
  • (7:20) UNI – Derek Anderson 6-yard pass from Matthew Schecklman, Max Bartachek kick (Drive: 3 plays, 24 yards, 1:10; Northern Iowa 7–0)
  • (2:22) BUT – Nick Munson 4-yard pass from Reagan Andrew, Beck Janki kick (Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 4:58; Tied 7–7)
  • (0:09) UNI – Max Bartachek 36-yard field goal (Drive: 5 plays, 54 yards, 2:06; Northern Iowa 10–7)
Second quarter
  • (9:55) BUT – Reagan Andrew 9-yard run, Beck Janki kick (Drive: 11 plays, 78 yards, 5:09; Butler 14–10)
  • (5:13) UNI – Harrison Bey-Buie 1-yard run, Max Bartachek kick (Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 4:36; Northern Iowa 17–14)
Third quarter
  • (9:51) UNI – Tysen Kershaw 16-yard pass from Matthew Schecklman, Max Bartachek kick (Drive: 9 plays, 77 yards, 5:03; Northern Iowa 24–14)
  • (1:03) UNI – JC Roque Jr. 26-yard pass from Matthew Schecklman, Max Bartachek kick (Drive: 9 plays, 85 yards, 3:58; Northern Iowa 31–14)
Fourth quarter
  • (12:24) UNI – Ayden Price 25-yard pass from Matthew Schecklman, Max Bartachek kick (Drive: 5 plays, 61 yards, 2:25; Northern Iowa 38–14)
StatisticsBUTUNI
First downs1925
Total yards336448
Rushing yards147213
Passing yards189235
Passing: Comp–Att–Int22-36-217–28–0
Time of possession31:4328:17
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
ButlerPassingReagan Andrew22/36, 189 yards, TD, 2 INT
RushingReagan Andrew15 carries, 75 yards, TD
ReceivingEthan Loss8 receptions, 81 yards
Northern IowaPassingMatthew Schecklman15/25, 214 yards, 4 TD
RushingHarrison Bey-Buie12 carries, 81 yards, TD
ReceivingTysen Kershaw2 receptions, 65 yards, TD

at Wyoming (FBS)

Northern Iowa Panthers (1–0) at Wyoming Cowboys (FBS) (1–0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Panthers07007
Cowboys (FBS)7107731

at War Memorial Stadium • Laramie, WY

  • Date: September 6, 2025
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m. MDT
  • Game attendance: 25,009
  • Referee: Cal McNeil
  • TV announcers (Altitude 2): Nate Kreckman and Jared Petrino
Game information
First quarter
  • WYO – Sam Scott 18-yard run (Erik Sandvik kick), 3:26. Cowboys 7–0. Drive: 5 plays, 78 yards, 2:05.
Second quarter
  • UNI – Harrison Bey-Buie 2-yard run (Max Bartachek kick), 7:25. Tied 7–7. Drive: 11 plays, 90 yards, 6:34.
  • WYO – John Michael Gyllenborg 6-yard pass from Kaden Anderson (Erik Sandvik kick), 1:13. Cowboys 14–7. Drive: 8 plays, 45 yards, 3:30.
  • WYO – Erik Sandvik 40-yard field goal, 0:00. Cowboys 17–7. Drive: 3 plays, 12 yards, 0:26.
Third quarter
  • WYO – Chris Durr Jr. 21-yard pass from Kaden Anderson (Erik Sandvik kick), 6:03. Cowboys 24–7. Drive: 10 plays, 76 yards, 4:31.
Fourth quarter
  • WYO – Samuel Harris 18-yard run (Erik Sandvik kick), 7:12. Cowboys 31–7. Drive: 5 plays, 60 yards, 2:44.
StatisticsUNIWYO
First downs1325
Total yards170379
Rushes–yards29–5937–189
Passing yards111190
Passing: Comp–Att–Int16–29–220–26–0
Turnovers21
Time of possession30:4129:19
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Northern IowaPassingMatthew Schecklman15/26, 107 yards, 2 INT
RushingChristian Collins4 carries, 22 yards
ReceivingTysen Kershaw6 receptions, 41 yards
WyomingPassingKaden Anderson17/23, 167 yards, 2 TD
RushingTerron Kellman7 carries, 87 yards
ReceivingJohn Michael Gyllenborg5 receptions, 65 yards, TD

Eastern Washington

Eastern Washington Eagles (0–2) at Northern Iowa Panthers (1–1) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Eagles----0
Panthers----0

at UNI-Dome, Cedar Falls, IA

  • Date: September 13
  • Game time: 4:00 PM CDT
  • Game weather: Indoors; 70 °F (21 °C)
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Brad Wells (play-by-play) and Justin Surrency (analyst)
StatisticsEWUUNI
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Eastern WashingtonPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Northern IowaPassing
Rushing
Receiving

at Utah Tech

Northern Iowa Panthers (2–1) vs. Utah Tech Trailblazers (0–3) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Panthers----0
Trailblazers----0

at Greater Zion Stadium, St. George, UT

  • Date: September 20
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m. CDT
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Rod Zundel (play-by-play) and Max Christensen III (analyst)
StatisticsUNIUTU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Northern IowaPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Utah TechPassing
Rushing
Receiving

North Dakota

North Dakota Fighting Hawks (2–2) vs. Northern Iowa Panthers (2–2) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Fighting Hawks----0
Panthers----0

at UNI-Dome, Cedar Falls, IA

  • Date: October 4
  • Game time: 4:00 PM
  • Game weather: Indoors; 70 °F (21 °C)
  • TV: ESPN+
StatisticsUNDUNI
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
North DakotaPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Northern IowaPassing
Rushing
Receiving

at South Dakota State

Northern Iowa Panthers (0–0) vs. South Dakota State Jackrabbits (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Panthers----0
Jackrabbits----0

at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium, Brookings, SD

  • Date: October 11
  • Game time: 2:00 PM
  • TV: ESPN+
StatisticsUNISDST
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Northern IowaPassing
Rushing
Receiving
South Dakota StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving

South Dakota

South Dakota Coyotes (0–0) vs. Northern Iowa Panthers (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Coyotes----0
Panthers----0

at UNI-Dome, Cedar Falls, IA

  • Date: October 18
  • Game time: 1:00 PM
  • Game weather: Indoors; 70 °F (21 °C)
  • TV: ESPN+
StatisticsSDAKUNI
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
South DakotaPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Northern IowaPassing
Rushing
Receiving

at Southern Illinois

Northern Iowa Panthers (0–0) vs. Southern Illinois Salukis (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Panthers----0
Salukis----0

at Saluki Stadium, Carbondale, IL

  • Date: October 25
  • Game time: 2:00 PM
StatisticsUNISIU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Northern IowaPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Southern IllinoisPassing
Rushing
Receiving

at Illinois State

Northern Iowa Panthers (0–0) vs. Illinois State Redbirds (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Panthers----0
Redbirds----0

at Hancock Stadium, Normal, IL

  • Date: November 1
  • Game time: 2:00 PM
StatisticsUNIILST
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Northern IowaPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Illinois StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving

Murray State

Murray State Racers (0–0) vs. Northern Iowa Panthers (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Racers----0
Panthers----0

at UNI-Dome, Cedar Falls, IA

  • Date: November 8
  • Game time: 1:00 PM
  • Game weather: Indoors; 70 °F (21 °C)
StatisticsMURUNI
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Murray StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving
Northern IowaPassing
Rushing
Receiving

at North Dakota State

Northern Iowa Panthers (0–0) vs. North Dakota State Bison (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Panthers----0
Bison----0

at Fargodome, Fargo, ND

  • Date: November 15
  • Game time: 2:30 PM
  • Game weather: Indoors; 70 °F (21 °C)
  • TV: ESPN+
StatisticsUNINDSU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Northern IowaPassing
Rushing
Receiving
North Dakota StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving

Youngstown State

Youngstown State Penguins (0–0) vs. Northern Iowa Panthers (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Penguins----0
Panthers----0

at UNI-Dome, Cedar Falls, IA

  • Date: November 22
  • Game time: 1:00 PM
  • Game weather: Indoors; 70 °F (21 °C)
StatisticsYSUUNI
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Youngstown StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving
Northern IowaPassing
Rushing
Receiving

References

  1. ↑ "Todd Stepsis named University of Northern Iowa head coach". unipanthers.com. Northern Iowa Panthers. December 3, 2024. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  2. ↑ "UNI Football head coach Mark Farley to retire at conclusion of 2024 season". unipanthers.com. Northern Iowa Panthers. November 10, 2024. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  3. ↑ "Northern Iowa Panthers Schedule 2025". ESPN . Retrieved August 11, 2025.
  4. ↑ "2025 Football Schedule". University of Northern Iowa . Retrieved August 11, 2025.
  5. ↑ "Missouri Valley Football Announces predicted order of finish". valley-football.org. Missouri Valley Football Conference. July 21, 2025. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
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