Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Manson Northwest Webster graduate Tim Butcher (holding the football without his helmet) recovers a fumble for Iowa Central inside Dodger Stadium earlier this year.

CEDAR FALLS — The Northern Iowa football team has no issue taking on the underdog role heading into Saturday’s season opener at No. 21 Iowa State.

Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. from Jack Trice Stadium with FOX Sports 1 carrying live television coverage.

The Panthers released their depth chart with a handful of former area and ex-Iowa Central standouts making the two-deep.

Manson Northwest Webster graduate and former Triton Tim Butcher is a starter at defensive tackle, with Iowa Central graduate Spencer Cuvelier starting at middle linebacker.

Former Bishop Garrigan standout Zac Kibby is the starting punter and a backup in the secondary, with former Tritons Jackson Martens and Roosevelt Lawrence on the second line at middle linebacker and cornerback.

Cuvelier, who enrolled at Northern Iowa in January after a standout season that saw him win several honors at Iowa Central, admitted he is “sort of at a loss for words” regarding playing the Cyclones.

“Everything is surreal,” he said. “To think this is a position I would be in back in high school just didn’t seem like a possibility.”

Cuvelier, a sophomore, overcame a lack of college interest coming out of Crestwood, signing with the Tritons. A knee injury in the first game his freshman season ended that year, but he came back even stronger the following season.

With Cuvelier leading the defense, Iowa Central won eight games, including one inside the UNI-Dome in the Graphic Edge Bowl. He picked up the defense quickly with the Panthers, grabbing hold of a starter role.

“I’m really just trying to stay calm, cool and collective as Saturday approaches and to continue to look up to the seniors as they’ve been in my shoes before,” Cuvelier said. “I am unbelievably excited to say the least to be walking out on to Jack Trice Stadium with my teammates and coaches.

“I’m very appreciative of the opportunity I have been given and the teammates and coaches I’ve been able to work with and play alongside.”

Kibby took on the punter position last year when injuries hit the UNI special teams. The redshirt junior played in all 13 games last season as the Panthers reached the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.

“Even though it’s a non-conference game, it’s one of the most exciting games of the year,” said Kibby, who made seven tackles and averaged almost 40 yards per punt. “I’ve been looking forward to this game since last season ended.”

Iowa State won eight games last year and has been tabbed as a contender to Oklahoma and Texas in the Big 12 race.

“They are no fluke,” Kibby said. “They are definitely a Top-25 team. However, that just makes it a bigger opportunity for us.”

Butcher is listed as a sophomore after taking a redshirt last year at Northern Iowa. Martens is a junior and Lawrence a senior.