Panthers take care of Drake
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CEDAR FALLS – Northern Iowa opened the 2026 home slate with a matchup against Drake for Hall of Fame weekend.
The Panthers scored 28 points in each half, and the defense pitched a shutout after the intermission as UNI claimed a 56-14 victory in the home opener over the Bulldogs.
UNI forced an interception on the opening drive of the game. John Powers got his hands on the ball for the first pick of his collegiate career.
The Panthers used the ensuing possession to score their first home touchdown of the season. Ben Gordon found the end zone on an end-around from the 12-yard line.
After forcing a three-and-out, a 34-yard reception by Cyrus Courtney set UNI up in plus territory and led to a 14-yard reception in the end zone by Brady McCullough.
Drake’s first points of the game came on a 43-yard passing touchdown.
McCullough caught two more touchdowns in the first half while the Bulldogs picked up a passing score. Josiah Young’s interception set up McCullough’s third touchdown of the contest for a 28-14 Panther advantage.
UNI’s defense pitched a shutout from there. The Panthers stalled out Drake with a pair of fumble recoveries, a turnover on downs and an interception return for another TD.
Christian Collins scored on a 7-yard run in the third quarter. Calvin Jaworski then jumped a route and returned an interception to the house for the Panthers’ first defensive score of the season.
Michael Bormann and Caleb Kamara added rushing TDs in the second half as well. Bormann powered into the end zone from the two-yard line, while Kamara jetted around the edge for a 28-yard jaunt.
Jaxon Dailey passed for 242 yards and three scores to help pace the UNI offense. Kamara led the running backs with 49 yards.
John Powers led the Panther defense with nine total tackles and one interception.
Drake’s Riley Warzynski threw for 241 yards and a pair of TDs, but he was also intercepted three times. Mitchell January had five catches for 75 yards and a score.
UNI had 443 yards to Drake’s 325.
The Panthers (1-1) visit Iowa on Saturday. The Bulldogs (0-3) are at Davidson.