The UNI-Dome will be rocking on Saturday as the Northern Iowa Panthers (2-4, 0-2 MVFC) return home to face a red-hot South Dakota Coyotes (4-3, 2-1 MVFC) squad. It’s the Panthers’ first home clash with the Coyotes since 2021 — and a critical opportunity to right the ship in conference play.
South Dakota enters with momentum after a solid 4-3 start, but the Panthers have history and pride on their side, owning a 31-21-1 all-time series lead. With both teams battling for playoff positioning in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, expect a fierce, physical showdown inside the Dome.
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📺 Where to Watch Northern Iowa vs. South Dakota Coyotes? (October 18)
| Detail | Info |
| Date | Saturday, October 18, 2025 |
| Time | 1:00 p.m. CT |
| Location | UNI-Dome — Cedar Falls, Iowa |
| TV/Stream | MVFC TV / ESPN+ |
| Radio | Panther Sports Network (J.W. Cox & Scott Peterson) |
💰 Betting Odds & Line
| Bet Type | Northern Iowa | South Dakota |
| Spread (Open) | -2.5 (Est.) | +2.5 |
| Moneyline (Est.) | -135 | +115 |
| Total (O/U) | 46.5 points | |
| Implied Score | UNI 24 – USD 22 |
Line projection based on MVFC parity and UNI’s home-field record in the Dome.
📊 Head-to-Head History
| Meetings | Record | Avg Pts (UNI) | Avg Pts (SD) |
| Last 6 Games | UNI 4 – 2 SD | 35.7 | 29.0 |
| In Cedar Falls | UNI 21 – 12 – 1 (all-time) | — | — |
| Last Meeting in Cedar Falls | 2021 – SD 34-21 W | — | — |
| Last Meeting Overall | 2022 – UNI 58-14 W @ Vermillion | — | — |
🖤 Northern Iowa Panthers Overview (2-4 / 0-2 MVFC)
It’s been a challenging opening stretch for new head coach Todd Stepsis, but there’s no shortage of fight in this UNI roster. The Panthers’ defense has kept them competitive — ranking top-25 in FCS for red-zone defense (66.7%), time of possession (32:22), and kickoff return defense (15.9 yds avg).
Offensively, the Panthers have struggled to find rhythm — averaging 13.5 points per game overall and 20.6 at home — but the return of QB Matthew Schecklman and transfer RB Bill Jackson gives UNI balance and veteran poise.
| Category | Stat | Rank (MVFC/FCS) |
| Points Per Game | 13.5 | — |
| Points Allowed Per Game | 24.2 | — |
| Red Zone Defense | 66.7 % | 🥇 MVFC / 5th FCS |
| Time of Possession | 32:22 | 🥉 MVFC / 17th FCS |
| Pass Yards Allowed | 192.5 ypg | 3rd MVFC |
| Blocked Kicks | 2 | 14th FCS |
Key Players
- QB Matthew Schecklman: 1,098 yds, 6 TD, 3 INT — steady pocket presence.
- RB Bill Jackson: 71 carries, 312 yds, 2 TD — physical between tackles.
- WR Ayden Price: 19.8 YPR (4th MVFC), 2 TD — explosive deep threat.
- LB Ryan Crandall: 8.7 tackles / gm (4th MVFC), 1.25 TFL / gm (20th FCS).
- CB Jonathan Cabral-Martin: 1.33 passes defended / gm (12th FCS).
💥 South Dakota Coyotes Overview (4-3 / 2-1 MVFC)
The Coyotes come into this game confident — riding a veteran offense that’s put up 23.9 points per game this year. Led by QB Aidan Bouman and a physical ground attack, South Dakota loves to establish tempo and attack vertically off play action.
However, their defensive volatility has been an issue — especially on the road, where they allow 35 points per game and average just 13 points scored.
| Category | Stat | Rank |
| Points Per Game | 23.9 | — |
| Points Allowed Per Game | 28.9 | — |
| Rush Yards Per Attempt (Home)** | 7.5 | 🥉 FCS |
| Punt Return Yards | 0.0 | 🥈 Fewest FCS |
| Last 10 Games | 6-4 (1-4 Away) | — |
Key Players
- QB Aidan Bouman: 1,412 yds / 12 TD / 5 INT — steady under pressure.
- RB Travis Theis: 544 yds / 5 TD — chain-mover with breakaway potential.
- WR Carter Bell: 33 rec / 423 yds / 4 TD.
- LB Brock Mogensen: 66 tackles / 4.5 TFL — the defensive heartbeat.
⚔️ Matchup Breakdown
| Category | Northern Iowa | South Dakota | Edge |
| Total Offense Per Game | 294 yds | 367 yds | SD |
| Rush Offense Per Game | 132 yds | 179 yds | SD |
| Pass Offense Per Game | 162 yds | 188 yds | SD |
| Scoring Defense | 24.2 ppg | 28.9 ppg | 🖤 UNI |
| Turnover Margin | +2 | -1 | 🖤 UNI |
| Red Zone Defense | 66.7 % | 74.1 % | 🖤 UNI |
| 3rd Down Conversion | 39 % | 44 % | ⚖️ Even |
📈 Recent Form / Momentum Meter
| Team | Last 3 Games | Avg Pts For | Avg Pts Against | Trend |
| UNI | L 31-3 @ SDSU, L 21-10 vs UND, W 24-17 @ EWU | 12.6 | 23.0 | 🔻 Inconsistent offense |
| South Dakota | W 28-27 vs Youngstown St., L 34-14 @ NDSU, W 31-20 vs Illinois St. | 24.3 | 27.0 | 🔼 Finding balance |
🔑 Keys to the Game (UNI Perspective)
- Start Fast in the Dome – UNI hasn’t allowed a point on an opponent’s first drive all season. 6 games, 6 stops.
- Win the Red Zone War – UNI’s defense is top-5 nationally in RZ efficiency; capitalize on short fields.
- Protect Schecklman – South Dakota’s edge rushers have 12 sacks; UNI’s line must hold up inside.
- Feed Bill Jackson – Tulsa transfer brings burst and power that can wear down the Coyotes.
- Leverage the Home Crowd – The Dome’s energy can flip momentum if the Panthers strike early.
🧠 ClutchBuzz Analysis & Prop Angles
| Prop | Pick | Reason |
| First Team to Score | UNI | 6 straight first-drive stops defensively. |
| UNI Team Total Over 23.5 | ✅ | Averaging 20.6 at home; SD allows 35 on road. |
| Longest Play Over 44.5 yds | ✅ | Ayden Price averages 19.8 YPR. |
| Under 1.5 First-Half TDs for SD | ✅ | UNI’s defense is elite early in games. |
💥 Same-Game Parlay
| Leg | Pick | Odds |
| Northern Iowa Moneyline | ✅ | -135 |
| Under 48.5 (Alt Line) | ✅ | -110 |
| Ayden Price Anytime TD | ✅ | +155 |
| Total Payout | +380 |
🚨 Injury Report
| Team | Player | Status | Notes |
| UNI | Jaden Harrell | Questionable | Shoulder |
| UNI | Harrison Bey-Buie | Probable | Returning from ankle injury |
| SD | Carter Bell | Probable | Ankle tightness |
| SD | Nick Witt | Out | DL depth issue |
🧾 Prediction & Best Bets
| Pick Type | Prediction |
| Spread Pick | Northern Iowa -2.5 |
| Moneyline | Northern Iowa -135 |
| Total (O/U) | Under 46.5 |
| Final Score Prediction | Northern Iowa 24 – South Dakota 20 |
| Confidence Level | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.5 / 5) |
The numbers suggest a low-scoring, grind-it-out MVFC battle — the kind of game UNI fans live for. South Dakota’s offense may start hot, but inside the UNI-Dome, the Panthers’ front seven and time-of-possession dominance should control the tempo.
Expect Matthew Schecklman to manage the game efficiently, Bill Jackson to break a key late run, and the defense to deliver one clutch turnover that seals it in the fourth quarter.
🖤 Final: Northern Iowa 24, South Dakota 20
💛 Best Bet: UNI Moneyline & Under 46.5
