Iowa State vs. UNI Football Score: A Detailed Look at the Game
The Iowa State Cyclones and the UNI Panthers faced off in a thrilling football game that had fans on the edge of their seats. The final score was close, but one team emerged victorious. Let’s dive into the details of this exciting matchup.
Team Previews
The Iowa State Cyclones entered the game with a record of 3-3, having won their last two games. They were led by head coach Matt Campbell, who has been instrumental in turning the program around. The Cyclones’ offense was averaging 27.5 points per game, thanks to the strong play of quarterback Brock Purdy and running back B.J. Davis.
The UNI Panthers, on the other hand, had a record of 4-2 heading into the game. They were coming off a win against Northern Iowa and were looking to continue their winning streak. The Panthers were led by head coach Mark Farley, who has been with the program since 2013. Their offense was averaging 28.5 points per game, with quarterback Zeb Nies and running back Jalen Myrick leading the way.
The Game
The game kicked off on a sunny Saturday afternoon at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa. The Cyclones got the first possession and quickly moved down the field, scoring on a touchdown pass from Purdy to Davis. The Panthers responded with a field goal, but the Cyclones added another touchdown in the second quarter to take a 14-3 lead.
In the second half, the Panthers mounted a comeback. They scored two touchdowns in the third quarter to cut the lead to 14-10. However, the Cyclones responded with a field goal of their own to go up 17-10. In the fourth quarter, the Panthers scored another touchdown to tie the game at 17-17. But the Cyclones took the lead back with a field goal, and then added another touchdown to secure the win, 24-17.
Key Players
| Player | Position | Stats |
|---|---|---|
| Brock Purdy | Quarterback | 24/36, 316 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT |
| B.J. Davis | Running Back | 18 carries, 102 yards, 1 TD |
| Zeb Nies | Quarterback | 22/37, 262 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT |
| Jalen Myrick | Running Back | 20 carries, 91 yards, 1 TD |
Game Highlights
The game was filled with highlights, but a few stood out. In the first quarter, Purdy connected with Davis for a 45-yard touchdown pass, setting the tone for the Cyclones’ offense. In the second half, Nies led the Panthers on a 75-yard drive that ended with a touchdown, cutting the lead to 14-10.
One of the most memorable moments of the game came in the fourth quarter. With the Cyclones leading 24-17, UNI faced a fourth-down situation at the Iowa State 25-yard line. Nies threw a pass that was intercepted by Iowa State’s Jaquan Johnson, who returned it for a touchdown to secure the win.
Post-Game Reactions
After the game, both coaches and players expressed their satisfaction with the outcome. “We played a great game,” said Campbell. “The kids fought hard, and we came out on top. I’m proud of them.” Farley echoed those sentiments, saying, “We gave it our all, but Iowa State made some plays at the end that we couldn’t overcome.”
The Cyclones improved to 4-3 on the season, while the Panthers fell to 4-3. The game was a showcase of the high level of competition in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, and