College Football: Stepsis says emotions got the better of him Saturday

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CEDAR FALLS - To burn off extra energy on game days, Northern Iowa football coach Todd Stepsis likes to get in an early morning workout.

He did so Saturday before his first game as the Panthers head coach in a 38-14 win over Butler at the UNI-Dome.

Stepsis admitted after the game, he needed to push himself a little harder Saturday morning.

From running onto the field pregame and throughout the 60-minute contest, Stepsis was a fireball of energy.

"I've never experienced a game at the UNI-Dome," Stepsis said." So, you know, everything from that energy in the lockerroom, the big guys coming out for warmups, being in the dark in the garage... man all that energy I tried to burn out just came right back.

"So, I got to do a little better job of working out in the morning. I'm not working out hard enough."

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In six years at Drake as head coach, Stepsis had won games, including 16 in his final two while leading the Bulldogs to back-to-back Pioneer League titles, but Saturday's victory was a totally unique experience for the veteran coach as he soaked in every moment, celebrated every one of his team's victories, little and small and was spent at games end.

It all culminated 10 months after Stepsis took the job at UNI him admitting to having apprehension about whether he'd be accepted in Cedar Falls by the fans, the alumni and the program alumni following a legendary previous coach.

"Every single alum that I've gotten a chance to meet and hang out with, talk to on the phone or in person has been amazing," Stepsis said. "So, just getting a win for them, you know, we play for each other, I love that.

"Hopefully, they're still out in the tailgate lot having a good time, I'd love to go out and see them."

Stepsis said that overwhelming amount of support he has received in the last 10 months also kind of helped his emotions bubble up Saturday.

"You know there is a time in every coach's career where not a whole lot of people believe in you, maybe you don't have a great year or things aren't going your way," Stepsis said. "So, just internally grateful for this opportunity to be part of this program, this community, I mean it is is amazing here.

"It all just kind of bubbled up, you know, running out of the tunnel, being on the sidelines, seeing the students, it was great. If I had tried to play poker in that scenario, there's no way I'd win, you'd know exactly what I would've had."

College Football: UNI delivers Todd Stepsis his first victory

CEDAR FALLS - Matthew Schecklman threw four touchdown passes and Northern Iowa's defense mad...

Photos: UNI football home opener vs. Butler, Aug 30 0 Comments Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0

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