Gear Up For Game Day: Northern Iowa Panthers

LARAMIE -- Jay Johnson knows exactly what the atmosphere will be like Saturday inside the visiting locker room.

He was once in that very spot, with that very program, only deep in the bowels of Jack Trice Stadium.

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A hefty underdog that September 1992 afternoon in Ames, Wyoming's offensive coordinator, then a senior quarterback at Northern Iowa, recalls the excitement, anxiety and what it was like to be in the moment.

It was the ultimate shot at sending shock waves throughout the college football landscape.

That's exactly what transpired.

The Panther defense led this way, intercepting four passes off the right arm of Iowa State quarterback Bob Utter. To add insult to injury, that unit also sacked junior signal caller eight times in a 27-10 upset in front of more than 40,000 in attendance.

All-American placekicker Scott Obermeier also connected on four field goals, leading to a raucous postgame celebration in front of the Panthers' section.

The No. 4 ranked team in what was then known as Division 1-AA, on that day, was mightier than its Big 8 in-state counterpart. It marked the first win over the Cyclones since 1900.

"That was a big win for us," Johnson said on Tuesday, just four days ahead of the Cowboys' Saturday date with his alma mater. "Obviously, being right there from the state, as well, was pretty awesome."

Johnson, who famously kept future Pro Football Hall of Famer Kurt Warner holding a clipboard in Cedar Falls until the '93 campaign, was a three-time All-Gateway selection during his playing days. Once a school record, Johnson threw for 8,341 yards (now fourth) and 60 touchdowns (fourth) all while completing 504-of-970 passes (fifth).

Three times Johnson hoisted a conference championship trophy. Three times he led the Panthers into the playoffs. He was 31-8 as a starter. UNI climbed as high as No. 3 in the national polls.

"It was good," Johnson said. "I mean, at the end of the day, I was surrounded by a lot of good players. We really had some good teams -- all the way around -- and good coaches. It was a really, really good program."

The Cowboys and Panthers will meet Saturday in Laramie for only the second time in history. The first? That came the year after Johnson walked across the stage with his diploma. An old-western shootout transpired on the high plains, an Obermeier field-goal attempt from 27 yards missing its mark with just seconds remaining in a 45-42 Wyoming win.

Wyoming hasn't exactly dominated its FCS opponents in recent memory. The names Cal Poly, North Dakota and, most recently, Idaho, still leave the head shaking in amazement. Narrow victories over the likes of Montana, Montana State and Wofford haven't exactly bred confidence, either.

"We thought Northern Iowa would just roll over," Iowa State offensive guard Malcolm Goodwin told the media after that loss to the Panthers. "Obviously, it didn't."

Therein lies the issue. One of them, anyway.

"They're excited. They're going to be ready to go," Johnson said. "I know coach (Matt Stepsis) will have them ready to play. I know, as a player, when you had that opportunity to go play up and those types of things, it was a great challenge, but yet, a lot of excitement. We looked forward to it.

"So, we expect to get their best. I imagine they'll be flying around, so we're going to have to be ready to go and play."

Notable Northern Iowa Alums, Ties:

We all know about Kurt Warner, the feel-good, overlooked QB who went from grocery store employee to Super Bowl champion, league MVP and eventually Canton, Ohio. He was under center in Laramie in '93 before a shoulder injury forced him to the sidelines.

This UNI program has produced a number of winning coaches, beginning with Johnson's, Terry Allen. Kansas State's Chris Klieman went to school in Cedar Falls. So did Creighton hoops coach Greg McDermott.

We also have to recognize the new bench boss in Fort Collins.

I know. I know.

Ali Farokhmanesh is most known for his appearance on the cover of Sports Illustrated back in 2010. That didn't happen by accident. Colorado State's head coach drilled a game-sealing triple to help knock off top-seeded Kansas in the NCAA Tournament, vaulting the Panthers into the Sweet 16. He also connected on a late three to topple UNLV in the opening round.

Nick Nurse is also currently the head coach of the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers.

Former NFL players like Eddie Berlin, LJ Fort, Joe Fuller, David Johnson and, 1995 Defensive Player of the Year, Bryce Paup, also wore Panther purple. The latter was a four-time Pro Bowl selection, known for his time as a linebacker in Green Bay and Buffalo.

Jane Elliot, a social activist, mainly known for her role as Tracy Quartermaine on daytime soap General Hospital, went to UNI. So did actress Phyllis Somerville, who appeared in the movie The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Krista Voda is a NASCAR announcer on FOX, Jason Lewis is a nationally-syndicated talk-show host and Steve Proffitt is the senior producer of National Public Radio.

Sam Scott, Wyoming's starting running back, who gashed Akron to the tune of 132 yards on 29 carries, also has a tie to UNI. His older brother, Jayden Scott, was a tight end for the Panthers from 2018-22, hauling in eight passes for 58 yards.

Missed any of our weekly coverage? You can find that right here:

* Wyoming Legends Recall '93 Barnburner Against Northern Iowa

* Josh Allen Announces His No. 17 Wyoming Jersey Will Be Retired

* Tickets Going Fast for Nevada, Josh Allen Jersey Retirement

* Wyoming Cowboys in the NFL: Week 1

* 3 Keys to a Wyoming Cowboys Victory vs. Northern Iowa

* Tyce Westland -- Quietly -- Continues to Carve Out His Path

* Know Wyoming's Foe: Northern Iowa Panthers

* Northern Iowa Notebook: Pesky FCS Opponent on Deck

* Wyoming's Revamped Offensive Line Keeps QB Clean in Opener

* 'Small-School' Linebacker Steals Spotlight in Shutout

* PODCAST: No-Name Defense Flexes Muscles in Rubber City

* Around the Mountain: No. 25 Broncos Bucked in The Bay

* Cowboys Host Northern Iowa Saturday in Season Opener

* Behind the Numbers: Just How Good Was Wyoming's Defense in Akron?

* Know Wyoming's Foe: Northern Iowa Panthers

* Northern Iowa Notebook: Pesky FCS Opponent on Deck

Here is all you need to know -- and the links -- for Saturday's home opener:

WHO: Northern Iowa (1-0, 0-0) at Wyoming (1-0, 0-0)
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 6 at 2 p.m. MST
WEATHER: High of 72, low 46, mostly sunny, wind 12 mph
WHERE: War Memorial Stadium, Laramie, Wyo. (29,181 capacity)
TRAVEL: WyoRoad.info
STREAMING: Mountain West Network
TV: Altitude TV
RADIO: Cowboy Sports Network
TICKETS: Wyoming Ticket office
BOX SCORE: ESPN
ROSTERS: Wyoming / Northern Iowa
HISTORY: UW leads all-time series, 1-0
BETTING ODDS: N/A
HEAD COACHES: Jay Sawvel / Todd Stepsis

- University of Wyoming’s Top 50 Football Players