CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — The Northern Iowa defense was a code Illinois State couldn’t crack Saturday at the UNI-Dome.
The No. 3-ranked Panthers did not permit a Redbird play for more than 18 yards all game as UNI slugged out a 20-10 Missouri Valley Conference victory.
“It’s disappointing,” ISU coach Brock Spack said. “But we have a pretty young team. There were a lot of positives. They will get better every week.”
The Panthers snapped a 10-10 halftime tie on a 44-yard Matthew Cook field goal early in the fourth quarter.
After Redbird quarterback Bryce Jefferson’s fumble was recovered by UNI’s Jared Brinkman, the Panthers took possession at the ISU 24.