CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) —
Matthew Schecklman threw four touchdown passes and Northern Iowa defeated Butler 38-14 in a season opener to give Todd Stepsis a win in his debut as the Panthers' head coach.
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Stepsis came from Drake where he was head coach the past six seasons.
Harrison Bey-Buie's 1-yard run capped an 80-yard drive and gave the Panthers a 17-14 halftime lead. Schecklman threw second-half TD passes to Tysen Kershaw, JC Roque Jr., and Ayden Price as Northern Iowa pulled away.
Schecklman also threw a TD pass to Derek Anderson for Northern Iowa's first points. Schecklman was 15-of-25 passing. Bey-Buie had 81 yards on 12 carries. Northern Iowa outgained Butler 448-336.
Reagan Andrew was 22 of