CSN West

I heard before the game that the Northern Iowa Panthers would be the last team in college football to play their spring game. My boys and I took in this final spring contest. This game was the Offense (Purple) vs. Defense (White). The offense got the best of the defense with a 38-26 win. This game used four 12-minute quarters and a modified scoring format. The defense scored 7 points for interceptions, 3 points for fumble recoveries, and 1 point for defensive stops. The offense used regular scoring to put points on the board.

Sophomore running back and kick returner highlighed the start of the game with a 91 yard kickoff return for the game's first points.

The Panther defense forced three straight stops before junior quarterback Tirrell Rennie hooked up with Ian Moore for a 48-yard scoring strike to put the offense on top, 14-3.

UNI’s defense then scored 19 straight points to take a 22-14 lead following a pair of interceptions from L.J. Fort and Kane Thompson.

The Panther offense regained the lead before the half with two touchdown drives. The first score came on a 39-yard run by Rinnie and was followed up by a 7-yard scamper around the right end by Matt Strathman. The two touchdowns gave the offense a 28-22 lead it would never relinquish.

Rennie connected on his second touchdown with a 10-yard strike to Terrell Sinkfield to give the offense a comfortable 35-24 advantage.

Kicker Tyler Sievertsen closed out the scoring in the game with a 33-yard field goal. Those points ended the scoring for the game.

I was impressed with Rennie at the quarterback position and seemed, at least in this game, better than the more experienced Zach Davis.

Here are some photos and video from the game.

http://sports.webshots.com/album/577502744HvmaHV

Well, I can't wait until this fall when we see real football again. Four games in three weeks in the spring time is a new record for me but nothing will compare to the action we will see in September.