As of Monday afternoon, the Missouri Valley Football Conference released its 2022 All-Conference awards with 11 UNI Panthers earning honors.

Leading the way on the first team was starting quarterback Theo Day, who was third in the Offensive Player of the Year running behind Youngstown State running back Jahleel McGlaughlin and North Dakota State fullback Hunter Luepke.

The Michigan State transfer finished the season completing 210 of 323 passes for 3,121 yards and 26 touchdowns, and he led the conference in yards, passing scores, and passing efficiency. He added for TDs on the ground.

Safety Benny Sapp III -- who wrapped up his senior season with 53 tackles, four interceptions (tied for the conference lead with fellow UNI DB Woo Governor), and two pass breakups -- was the lone defensive first-teamer for the Panthers.

Cedar Falls native Matthew Cook was selected as the first-team kicker after finishing the season second in points scored (87) to McGlaughlin (90). The pre-season All-American was 14-17 with a long of 42 yards and moved into first place in UNI and MVFC history with 67 career field goals.

Spencer Cuvelier, who was on the preseason Buck Buchanan Award Watchlist, earned a spot on the defensive second team after leading the Panthers in tackles with 90 and tackles for loss with six. He also tied for the team lead in sacks with three. Joining Cuvelier on the second team at linebacker was Korby Sander. Sander finished the season with 81 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks, and one PBU.

Up front, Khristian Boyd was named to the second team as a defensive lineman. Boyd -- who replaced two-time MVFC Defensive Player of the Year Jared Brinkman this season for UNI -- finished the season with 42 tackles, five TFLs, a sack, and two forced fumbles. In the defensive backfield, corner Governor was also named to the second team after registering four picks and three PBUs. He finished with 61 tackles.

Starting center and captain Erik Sorensen was the lone member of the Panther offense to be named to the second team. This season, Sorensen won MVFC Offensive Lineman of the week twice.

Redshirt junior wideout Sam Schnee was named to the honorable mention squad after leading UNI in receptions (48) and receiving yards (764) in 2022. Joining him on offense was guard Justin Peine, who was named the MVFC Offensive Lineman of the Week once in 2022.

Linebacker Bryce Flater earned a spot on the honorable mention team as well. This year, Flater posted 74 tackles, 1.5 TFL, and three PBUs.

Noah Pettinger finished second in the MVFC Freshman of the Year voting after taking over punting duties five games into the season. His average punt traveled 42.9 yards.

The Panthers' season came to an end after they finished the season 6-5 and were not selected to participate in the 2022 FCS Playoffs.

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