Northern Iowa vs. Youngstown State: Preview, Live Stream, and Keys to the Game

The Northern Iowa Panthers are set to face the Youngstown State Penguins in a Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) matchup on Saturday, November 16, 2024. The game will kick off at 12 p.m. ET at Stambaugh Stadium in Youngstown, Ohio, and will be available to stream live on ESPN+.

Northern Iowa enters the game with a challenging eight-game losing streak, the longest during Coach Mark Farley’s 24-year tenure. The Panthers hold a 26-9 lead in the all-time series against the Penguins and a 17-3 record under Farley. Despite their current struggles, UNI is looking to snap their losing streak against an unranked MVFC opponent for the first time in seven weeks.

Youngstown State, picked seventh in the MVFC preseason poll, is coming off a 37-33 loss at Southern Illinois. The Penguins’ offense, led by dual-threat quarterback Beau Brungard, averages 26.4 points per game and ranks sixth in the conference. Brungard is a key player, averaging 255 yards per game, with 171.4 passing and 83.6 rushing yards.

Defensively, Youngstown State has struggled, allowing 35.6 points per game, which is the second worst in the MVFC. For Northern Iowa to succeed, they need to focus on containing Brungard within the pocket, forcing him to rely solely on his passing. Additionally, UNI’s defense needs to secure takeaways, as they have not grabbed an interception since Week 4.

The game also holds emotional significance for Northern Iowa, as it is one of the last two games under Coach Mark Farley, who has announced his retirement. This could provide an intangible boost for the Panthers as they aim to end their losing streak.

The game can be streamed on ESPN+, and radio coverage will be available on 93.5 The Mix and the Panther Sports Radio Network via TuneIn. Predictions favor Youngstown State with a score of 27-21.