Northern Iowa stunned Illinois State 28-21 in the UNI-Dome to open Missouri Valley Football Conference play. It was the Panthers’ first win over a top-five team since 2021 and moved them to 2-2 overall and 1-0 in the league, while the Redbirds fell to 4-1.

Quarterback Jaxon Dailey completed 13 of 17 passes for 217 yards, threw touchdown passes to Ayden Price and Kai Black, and ran for a 28-yard score as UNI built a 21-7 halftime lead. Xavier Terrell added a 43-yard touchdown run in the third quarter and finished with 80 rushing yards, while linebacker John Powers led the defense with 12 tackles.

Illinois State pulled within 28-21 on a late 26-yard touchdown pass, but Cyrus Courtney recovered the onside kick and Terrell’s 11-yard run with 2:20 left sealed it

UNI is scheduled to host North Dakota for Homecoming on Saturday, October 10 UNI-Dome.