MVFC Names Three UNI Athletes to All-Newcomer Team

Yesterday, the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC), announced its first, second, and honorable mention team members for the 2022 season. Across the teams, 11 UNI Panthers were given honors.

Tuesday, November 29, the All-Conference Newcomer Team was announced by the MVFC, with three players from Coach Mark Farley's squad earning a spot.

Wide Receiver Desmond Hutson

A transfer from the University of Iowa, Hutson came to Cedar Falls just before the spring semester started in 2022. With spring ball under his belt, the Raytown, Missouri native was able to build rapport not only with the coaching staff but also with starting quarterback Theo Day.

Though he didn't see the field much to start the season, Hutson quickly became a factor, especially when the offense neared the endzone. He ended the season with 16 catches for 201 yards and five scores.

At Southern Illinois, the former Hawkeye caught two touchdown passes, including the grab that proved to be the game-winner with 5:55 to go in the fourth quarter.

Defensive End Cordarrius Bailey

Another transfer from an instate rival, Bailey came to Cedar Falls after four years at Iowa State. The former three-star recruit spent a significant amount of time on the field in the absence of Caden Houghtelling, who was sidelined for the majority of the season.

Bailey registered 31 tackles, including 4.5 TFL, and two sacks for the Panthers in 2022. Both of his sacks came against Missouri State when Coach Farley had the UNI defense run a 3-4 base as opposed to their typical 4-3. Bailey said postgame that he felt more comfortable in that style of defense considering the Cyclones' base defense is a 3-4.

Punter Noah Pettinger

The player most of which Panther fans didn't expect to see this season, Pettinger took over punting duties when Cael Loecher was sidelined with an illness.

The walk-on stepped into the full-time punting duties and did his job, averaging 42.9 yards each time he booted one away. His long for the season was 52 yards.

He also finished second in the voting for MVFC Freshman of the Year behind Indiana State's Cade Chambers.