Mark Farley’s illustrious 24-year run at Northern Iowa ended with a thud in 2024. Now UNI turns to Todd Stepsis, a two-time PFL Coach of the Year honoree, to reset the culture and philosophy in Cedar Falls. Is a change in perspective just what the Panthers needed?
2024 Season Recap
UNI fluttered to the bottom of the MVFC standings, turning out a 3-9 record and only capturing wins vs Valparaiso (4-7), St.Thomas (6-6), and Indiana State (4-8). The Panthers finished with poor statistical metrics, ranking 101st in the FCS in scoring offense and 102nd in scoring defense.
Key Departures and Returnees
Even though 2024 was frustrating for the Panthers, UNI was able to retain several crucial contributors, including three starters on the offensive line, two battle tested quarterbacks, and two stalwarts in the secondary. Nonetheless, they lose two starting wide outs and three key pieces along the defensive front. Nine players transfer in, providing necessary reinforcements and boosting depth across the board.
Key Departures (15)
Offense
- LT Jared Penning
- RT Tristan Roper
- TE Layne Pryor
- RB Tye Edwards
- WR Desmond Hutson
- WR Sergio Morancy
Defense
- DE Cannon Butler
- DL Bradley Vislisel
- DL Carter Hewitt
- LB Ben Belken
- SAM Albert Nunes
- CB Robbie Peterson Jr.
- S JJ Dervil
Special Teams
- K Caden Palmer
- LS Dominic Sisneros
Key Returnees (11)
Offense
- LG Blake Anderson
- C Keean Kamerling
- RG Josh Volk
- QB Aidan Dunne
- QB Matthew Schecklman
- WR Tysen Kershaw
Defense
- DL Jack Kriebs
- LB Tucker Langenberg
- CB Fletcher Marshall Jr.
- CB Jonathan Carbral-Martin
Special Teams
- P Noah Pettinger
Portal Additions (9)
Offense
- RB Bill Jackson (Tulsa)
- RB Grant Glausser (Iowa)
- WR Ayden Price (Iowa)
- WR Graham Friedrichsen (Iowa)
Defense
- DE Owen Ostroski (Tulsa)
- DL Jamarion Augustus (Highland CC)
- DL Ryan Kuennen (Iowa)
- LB Ryan Crandall (Western Illinois)
Special Teams
- K Max Bartachek (Iowa Western CC)
Previewing the Northern Iowa Offense
UNI struggled to generate anything offensively in 2024, scoring around 20 points per contest and churning out an average of 145 rushing yards and 186 passing yards. The good news for the Panthers is that up front, there won’t be many unknowns as starters Blake Anderson (6-4, 304), Keean Kamerling (6-4, 277), and Josh Volk (6-4, 329) all return on the offensive line. Tackles Jared Penning and Tristan Roper do depart, but support comes from Gavin Proudfoot (6-7, 246) and Ben Kuehnast (6-7, 280), two individuals that saw a notable amount of action last season.
Quarterback is a completely different story, one marred by uncertainty and a lack of assurance regarding the future. Aidan Dunne was the initial starter – he started the first five games of 2024 – but was benched in favor of Matthew Schecklman prior to a conference tilt with South Dakota. Schecklman seemed to have a better command of the offense, yet the Panthers made no progress whatsoever, losing five straight games with the Appleton North product at the helm. He suffered an injury vs Illinois State, and Dunne was once again thrust into the starting lineup.
Dunne and Schecklman will continue battling for QB1 honors, with junior Jaxon Dailey and redshirt freshman Cale McThenia trailing behind. Spring sessions made it clear: the quarterback job is truly up for grabs.
At running back, the potential is through the roof despite the leaving of enforcer Tye Edwards and his counterpart Amauri Pesek-Hickson. Harrison Bey-Buie carried the ball 43 times for 209 yards and 4 scores in 2023, and is faced with recovering from an injury. JC Roque Jr. is a versatile receiving threat out of the backfield, as he caught 16 passes for 183 yards and a touchdown (2024).
Although there is a lot of returning talent, Tulsa transfer Bill Jackson might be the go-to tailback. In 32 contests with the Golden Hurricanes, Jackson rushed for 919 yards and one touchdown on 189 attempts.
The supporting cast surrounding the eventual starting QB should be solid. Tysen Kershaw posted 12 receptions for 193 yards and one touchdown last fall. Jaiden Ellis-Lahey has averaged 17.4 yards per catch the past two years. Former Iowa players Ayden Price and Graham Friedrichsen bolster depth in the wide receiver room.
Senior Derek Anderson and Junior Brady McCullough are in contention for a starting role at tight end.
Previewing the Northern Iowa Defense
Defensively, the Panthers will look to be much improved after allowing 33 points per game in 2024. On the defensive front, UNI loses production from Cannon Butler, Bradley Vislisel, and Carter Hewitt. Zack Mehmert (6-5, 240) returns as a viable edge rusher option and is projected to start. Malik Stewart (6-5, 240) and Hyson Bey-Buie (6-4, 250) saw action in reserve roles and boast tremendous upside. Tulsa transfer Owen Ostroski (6-2, 254) is expected to be an instant impact player – he tallied 8.5 TFLs and 2 sacks with the Hurricanes last year. At defensive tackle, Jack Kriebs (6-3, 280) will look to improve upon an 11-tackle campaign.
The linebacking corps lose two of three starters, but there is plenty of proven talent returning. Starter Tucker Langenberg is the anchor of this group following a season in which he led the team in tackles (82) and also registered 5.5 TFLs and 2 PBUs. Caleb Frazer continues his ascent up the depth chart, totaling 21 tackles and one QB hurry last season. Brogan Ling and Kolben Miller combined for appearances in 10 games, serving the majority of 2024 as second team linebackers. One of the biggest wins of the offseason for UNI came when the coaching staff was able to convince Ryan Crandall (26 starts in 3 years) to join the Panthers from Western Illinois. Over the past two seasons, Crandall has logged 157 tackles and 17 TFLs. Ethan Schoville is the front runner to replace Albert Nunes at SAM.
In the secondary, cornerback Fletcher Marshall Jr. and safety Jonathan Cabral-Martin bring back a tremendous amount of experience, emerging as starters last fall and also putting up solid numbers. CB Alonzo Morgan III was a key contributor for UNI in 2024, consistently finding his way into the rotation and totaling 16 tackles and 2 PBUs. Competing for a starting spot alongside Cabral-Martin will be Mo Olowo (16 tackles in 6 games) and Tate Sander (34 tackles in 8 games).
Previewing the Northern Iowa Special Teams
The UNI Special Teams Unit faces significant turnover, with kicker Caden Palmer and long snapper Dominic Sisneros departing. To make matters even worse, return threats Sergio Morancy and Kamonte Grimes are also gone.
Punter Noah Pettinger should help alleviate the losses – he had a punt of 61 yards vs Hawaii and was a Preseason All-MVFC Honorable Mention selection in 2024.
Caden Popp will contend with Iowa Western CC transfer Max Bartachek for starting kicker duties, while Gavin Averbeck is set to replace Sisneros at long snapper.
2025 Schedule
Bold indicates home game
- 8/30 - Butler
- 9/6 - Wyoming
- 9/13 - Eastern Washington
- 9/20 - Utah Tech
- 10/4 - North Dakota
- 10/11 - South Dakota State
- 10/18 - South Dakota
- 10/25 - Southern Illinois
- 11/1 - Illinois State
- 11/8 - Murray State
- 11/15 - North Dakota State
- 11/22 - Youngstown State
Wrap Up
UNI may still be in transition, but with improved depth, returning experience, and an invigorated culture under Todd Stepsis, the Panthers have a real shot at flipping the script in 2025.
