UNI Football vs North Dakota State: Live stream, 3 keys to the game, result prediction (November 2, 2024).

The Panthers are on a six-game losing streak heading into their road trip against the top-ranked Bison

CEDAR FALLS – Northern Iowa faces its fifth of six consecutive Missouri Valley Football Conference opponents – and its second No. 1 opponent of the season – this Saturday at North Dakota State.

UNI (2-6, 0-4) enters Saturday against the Bison (8-1, 5-0) trailing 30-26 in the all-time series and a 4-12 record under coach Mark Farley. The Panthers also enter the game on a six-game losing streak, the longest in Farley's 24-year tenure.

North Dakota State is coming off a 59-6 win at Murray State.

The Bison offense ranks first in the conference with an average of 37.3 points per game. Meanwhile, UNI's defense ranks eighth in the MVFC, allowing 31.25 points per game.

North Dakota State presents a balanced attack, averaging 228.8 passing yards and 198.6 rushing yards per game.

Dual-threat quarterback Cam Miller leads the NDSU offense. The Solon native averages nearly 200 yards passing and 30 yards rushing per game. This was also his most efficient season, throwing 16 touchdowns and no interceptions.

The Bison defense ranks third in the MVFC in scoring at 15.3 points per game and is led by junior linebacker Logan Kopp, a preseason first-team All-MVFC honoree.

Here are three keys to the Panthers' game.

1. Run it back

UNI's running game experienced a resurgence last week despite the loss to Missouri State, totaling 215 yards on 42 carries.

Meanwhile, redshirt sophomore quarterback Matthew Schecklman had the best game of his three starts and the offense scored a season-high 42 points.

NDSU has a more formidable run defense than the Bears, but success with the run game earlier this season at Nebraska seemed to indicate that UNI would be able to run the ball this season. To have a chance of winning, you have to succeed against the Bison.

2. Try it

With 270 passing yards and another 48 rushing yards as well as three passing touchdowns, Schecklman had the best performance of his young career last Saturday.

The redshirt sophomore continues to show arm strength and the ability to extend plays or gain more distance with his legs.

If he can be a dual threat against NDSU, the Panthers should be able to put up points in hostile FargoDome territory.

3. A (defensive) step forward

As promising as the running game and Schecklman were last week, UNI's defense needs to find every way to take a step forward and start limiting the offense.

Anything that doesn't remotely resemble progress this week means that the chance of an upset in the long run will remain just that – an unlikely chance.

UNI at North Dakota State (November 2, 2024)

Kick-off time: 2:30 p.m. (CT)

Electricity: ESPN+

radio: 93.5 The Mix (app available), Panther Sports Radio Network (via TuneIn)

Forecast: North Dakota State 38, UNI 21