Utah Tech University football picked up their first win of the 2025-26 season as they stifled Northern Iowa University’s offense en route to victory.
“It feels great to finally get one after being so close those first three games against really good football teams,” Utah Tech head coach Lance Anderson said.
Utah Tech’s defense controlled the pace of the game from start to finish, as they held the Panthers to just over 200 yards of total offense compared to the Trailblazers’ 349 total yards.
“Being able to get stops consistently was a huge part so they couldn’t get any momentum,” Beau Brunson, a junior management major from Springville, said.
Outside linebacker Moon Ashby set the tone for the Trailblazer defense as he forced a fumble that Dallin Havea recovered on the 20-yard line. Utah Tech was unable to capitalize on the turnover after a missed field goal, but the defense continued to limit Northern Iowa’s offense.
Northern Iowa got on the board first as Utah Tech’s offense struggled to get going early into the game. Utah Tech’s struggles ended when Reggie Graff was able to connect with Daniel Thomason for a touchdown at the end of the first half to give Utah Tech a 7-6 at the break.
The second half was more of the same as the Trailblazers held Northern Iowa without a touchdown. Linebacker Logan Pili led the Trailblazer defense with six tackles.
Offensively, Utah Tech was able to rush the ball effectively throughout. Graff threw for just over 100 yards passing with a touchdown and an interception and added 103 yards rushing on 24 attempts. While Graff led the team in rushing, Asa Chatman also rushed for 97 yards on 12 attempts, including a 66-yard touchdown in the third quarter.
After three quarters, Utah Tech held a narrow, 14-9 lead as they looked to convert the lead into their first win of the season.
In the fourth quarter, kicker Ilya Uvaydov gave the Trailblazers some breathing room as he connected on 23-yard and 28-yard field goals.
“Utah Tech’s offense was able to build off of multiple stops from the defense,” Cash Henrie, a sophomore recreation and sport management major from Mountain View, Wyoming, said. “With Utah Tech being up most the game, it allowed them to control the game with the run and keep momentum.
Utah Tech’s defense was able to close out the win as Northern Iowa attempted to drive down the field late in the game. As Northern Iowa attempted to convert on fourth down in Utah Tech territory, linebacker Daylen Love came up with the sack that allowed Utah Tech to take over on offense and run out the clock.
Utah Tech’s win now leaves them with a 1-3 record as they head back on the road to face Austin Peay University Sept. 27.
