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 — As Cal Twait approaches his final season for the Northern Iowa football team, he does so with high expectations and a healthy body.

The 6-foot-5, 305-pound senior from Manson Northwest Webster has become a mainstay along the offensive line for the Panthers since arriving on campus. starting 29 games over the past three years.

“I am feeling the best I have since my freshman season where I tore all of the ligaments in my ankle,” Twait said. “I am moving around well and have been able to have a full offseason of weight training with no modifications or setbacks, which has been great.”

The Panthers went 8-5 last year, including a 5-1 record inside the UNI-Dome. They reached the second round of the FCS playoffs and scored three wins over Top-10 teams.

Along with Twait, quarterback Eli Dunne and top running back Marcus Weymiller are part of 26 returning players who made starts on either offense or defense last year. UNI racked up over 4,500 yards of total offense and the line allowed just 27 sacks.

Dunne threw for 225 yards per game and had 26 passing touchdowns, with Weymiller running for a team-high 81 yards per contest and eight scores.

Along with all that returning experience, Twait and the Panthers will use the following weeks to better themselves by breaking in new players to the program. Spring practice starts on Monday, with the spring game scheduled for April 27.

“Spring ball is a great time to develop your game as a player and gain continuity within your position groups,” he said. “These practices set the tone for your upcoming season, so I plan on sharpening my skill set and competing at a high level this spring.”

Growing up around the sport of football with his family heritage, Twait knows that being a senior means added responsibility.

“It’s crazy to think this is my final season coming up,” Twait said. “I am approaching this spring as a great time to continue to develop my fundamentals and become a better overall player.

“Also, I will continue taking on a larger leadership role within our offense and team.”

This season will also be a memorable one for his father, recently-retired Iowa Central head football coach Kevin Twait. While Twait will shift to the role of athletic director over the summer, his schedule should free him up to attend more games on the weekends to watch his son.

“I’ve thought a little bit about my dad being able to see a couple more games this fall,” Twait said. “He made it work the best he could in past years to see as much as possible, but it will be great for him to be at more for my final season.

“I always knew it hurt him a lot to miss my games, so I’m happy he can be at more this year.”

Northern Iowa opens the season on Sept. 1 against Montana before facing Iowa inside Kinnick Stadium on Sept. 15.