CEDAR FALLS, Iowa-Saturday, Southern Utah football seeks to shake off the ill effects of a 56-23 loss at UNLV as they travel to the UNI Dome to face the No. 11 Northern Iowa Panthers.

The Panthers gave the No. 21 ranked team in the FBS, Iowa State, a scare, as they only fell to the Cyclones 29-26 in triple overtime.

In the loss at Las Vegas last week, the Thunderbirds were led by redshirt sophomore quarterbacks Chris Helbig (14 of 26, 138 yards, rush TD) and redshirt freshman Tyler Skidmore (11 of 16, 157 yards, 2 TD’s).

The leading tailback for the Thunderbirds at UNLV was redshirt junior James Felila (14 car, 29 yards) and sophomore tailback Lance Lawson (8 rec, 63 yards) was the leading receiver for SUU.

Redshirt junior safety Alan Holsten (6 tackles) was SUU’s defensive leader in the loss at UNLV.

The Thunderbirds’ offense is tied for 52nd in FCS in scoring with 23 points and the 56 points they surrendered to the Rebels makes them 100th in scoring defense in the FCS after Week 1.

Against Iowa State, Northern Iowa’s statistical leaders were redshirt freshman quarterback Will McElvain (25-42, 228 yards TD), senior tailback Trevor Allen (15 car, 26 yards, TD rec) and redshirt sophomore receiver Isaiah Weston (2 rec, 48 yards).

Defensively, redshirt junior defensive lineman Elerson G. Smith and senior defensive lineman Seth Thomas who had a sack apiece led the Panthers against the Cyclones.

Northern Iowa’s 23 points against Iowa State tie them for 46th in the FCS in scoring offense. In scoring defense, the Panthers are 56th in the FCS after surrendering 29 points to the Cyclones.

Redshirt junior defensive back Xavior Williams also returned a fumble 53 yards for a touchdown against the Cyclones and broke up three passes as well.

This game is part of the 2019 Challenge Series between the Big Sky Conference and the Missouri Valley Conference, which the Panthers represent.