Cyclones Fall To UNI, 25-20, In Season Opener

AMES, Iowa – An interception by Northern Iowa's Charles Brown and late touchdown run by J'Veyon Browning propelled the Panthers past Iowa State, 25-20, in the season opener at Jack Trice Stadium Saturday night. The Cyclones drop to 0-1 this season, while UNI improves to 1-0.

The Cyclones regained the lead at 20-19 with 7:02 left in the game on a 33-yard strike from Joel Lanning to Allen Lazard. The Cyclone defense responded by forcing a three-and-out, but a miscommunication between Lanning and his receiver led to the Cyclones' second turnover of the game.

Following the turnover, UNI moved it from the Cyclone 36 and scored on Browning's rush off the edge from a yard out to go in front 25-20 after the two-point conversion failed.

The Cyclones then suffered their third turnover of the contest when Mike Warren fumbled in Panther territory at the 44-yard line with 2:24 remaining.

Iowa State got the ball back with 1:19 left but Lanning was forced out of the pocket and had his pass picked off by Jared Farley.

Keys of the Game
Turnovers and penalties loomed large in the game as the Cyclones lost the turnover battle and were penalized nine times for 89 yards. ISU had four turnovers compared to just one by Northern Iowa.

The Cyclones also struggled to get their rushing attack going, accumulating just 51 yards on the ground. UNI used its running attack to control the game, picking up 232 yards via the run.

Players of Note...

Lazard finished with six receptions for 129 yards and a touchdown, the 10th of his career. It was his third career game with 100 yards receiving. Redshirt freshman Hakeem Butler had his first career touchdown reception in the first half, a terrific one-handed snare in the corner of the end zone. Senior Dondre Daley also had a touchdown reception for the Cyclones.

Lanning finished the game 18-for-28 passing for 256 yards and a career-high tying three touchdowns.

Defensively the Cyclones had 11 tackles for a loss, including two each by Reggan Northrup and Kane Seeley. Northrup paced the Cyclones with 13 tackles and Kamari Cotton-Moya also posted double-digit stops with 11. Brian Mills had a fumble recovery for the Cyclones.

UNI quarterback Aaron Bailey gained 114 yards on the ground and passed for another 135 yards to lead the Panthers.

Cyclone Quick Hits
*Tonight's attendance: 60,629.

*Lazard has a reception in a school-record 24 consecutive games.

*Lanning tossed multiple touchdown passes for the third game in his career.

*Eleven freshmen, including six true freshmen, made their debuts tonight.

Up Next

Iowa State faces Iowa in an Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series showdown next weekend in Iowa City. The game will kick off at 6:30 p.m. on Big Ten Network.

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Team Stats

Joel Lanning

Players Mentioned

Hakeem Butler

Kamari Cotton-Moya

Dondre Daley

Joel Lanning

Allen Lazard

Brian Mills

Reggan Northrup

Kane Seeley

Mike Warren

Players Mentioned

Hakeem Butler

Kamari Cotton-Moya

Dondre Daley

Joel Lanning

Allen Lazard

Brian Mills

Reggan Northrup

Kane Seeley

Mike Warren

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