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Twait, Panthers set for FCS playoffs

UNI to host Lamar Saturday inside UNI-Dome

Photo courtesy UNI Media Relations Manson Northwest Webster graduate Cal Twait will be a senior offensive lineman for the University of Northern Iowa this fall.

CEDAR FALLS — Cal Twait wasn’t sure if this past Saturday would be the final time he would compete inside the UNI-Dome.

While Twait made sure to embrace Senior Day with his fellow University of Northern Iowa football players, he was excited to find out that the Panthers will compete at home once more.

UNI was selected as an at-large pick for the NCAA Div. I FCS Championship. The Panthers (6-5 overall) will meet Lamar on Saturday at 4 p.m. The game will stream live on ESPN3.

A win next week would send Northern Iowa to the quarterfinals and a date with UC-Davis, which earned the No. 6 seed. Fellow Missouri Valley Football Conference members North Dakota State and South Dakota State were also selected, with the Bison as the No. 1 overall seed and the Jackrabbits gaining the fifth.

“There were definitely some emotions knowing it could have been the last time I would run out of the UNI-Dome tunnel with my brothers,” Twait said. “It was also great to have my mom (Cathy) and dad (Kevin) with me on the field in pregame for the senior day intros.”

The Panthers had one of the more difficult schedules in all of FCS, playing Iowa, an FBS team, and five ranked squads. UNI earned a 24-9 victory at home over South Dakota State and also topped Illinois State during the regular season.

They also had games with Montana, North Dakota State and South Dakota, who were all ranked at the time of those contests. UNI entered the final game of the regular season with the top strength of schedule in FCS.

Once again, Twait was a key member of the offensive line that helped pave the way for a unit that averaged over 27 points per game. Northern Iowa ran for 1,405 yards and passed for almost 2,400

“Something I’ll never forget about playing at UNI is the relationships I have built with so many great men,” said Twait, who was voted a team captain for this season. “It is something I will cherish for the rest of my life.”

Twait, who has earned multiple honors on and off the field, was named the MVFC Offensive Lineman of the Week following a victory over Indiana State.

For now, Twait’s focus remains on leading the Panthers to a deep playoff run. When that is over, he’ll shift his attention to a possible pro career, hoping to follow in the footsteps of ex-UNI standouts such as Kurt Warner, David Johnson, Deiondre Hall and Chad Rinehart.

“I’ll be training at UNI all winter with our strength staff in preparation for the Pro Day in March,” Twait said. “I’m not exactly sure how all of that will play out, but I know I’ll put my best foot forward and chase my dreams to the best of my ability.”

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