By: Nathan Bloechl — sports@kilj.com
Cedar Falls — UNI football will kick off four of five home games at 4 p.m., the lone exception being the season finale against Western Illinois, which will kick off at 1 p.m.
The kickoff for the season opener against Iowa State was also moved back an hour to 3:30 p.m.
The Panthers open the home schedule with DI newcomer St. Thomas (MN) on Sept. 18 at 4 p.m. before beginning Valley play with Youngstown State on Oct. 2.
The Panthers host South Dakota on Oct. 16 and Southern Illinois on Oct. 30 before closing the regular season at home on Nov. 20 against WIU.
UNI was picked 15th in the FCS in the Athlon Preseason Rankings.
The Panthers return several players that were injured during the spring season along with MVFC Defensive Player of the Year Jared Brinkman.
UNI finished 3-4 during the spring season. Each loss came to a team the advanced to the FCS Playoffs and all four losses came by a combined 15 points.