Yes, its UNI and we should have pounded them, if for no other reason, because they are an FCS team. Va Tech pounded their FCS team. We are not Va Tech. And, it was the first game of the season. Teams that are much more storied that ISU in terms of football success struggled quite a bit on their opening game as well. It doesn't matter who your opponent is, you are going to struggle to execute on your first game. Especially when you start with new players at key positions.
UNI isn't just another FCS team and I imagine they could beat any of the bottom 40 FBS teams on any given Saturday. That is the case year in and year out with them. However, we should have higher expectations than to be better than the bottom 40.
We really need to keep things in perspective regarding this game with UNI that we squeaked out:
1. First game of the season. It isn't like we are the only team that struggled with execution.
2. First DivI start for Steele Jantz
3. Our O-Line was not intact (we lack depth)
4. We gave the ball away 3 times in the redzone and still managed to win
5. When it mattered most, Jantz came through, which should translate into him being more comfortable down the road
KEY: I think we have MUCH more to happy about and look forward to with this victory than Iowa has with theirs.