Welcome to the 2022 FCS Jersey Countdown. Leading up to the start of weekly college football odds and Week 0 games on Aug. 27, HERO Sports will name the best returning FCS player by jersey number, 99-0. Due to rosters being updated at different times for teams across the country and to keep things consistent, jersey numbers are based on last season’s rosters.
The 99-0 countdown central page can be found here.
Note: Jersey numbers are based on 2021 rosters.
41: Spencer Cuvelier, LB (Sr.) — Northern Iowa
One of the most physical, hard-nosed defenses in the FCS, UNI has a long lineage of hard-hitting linebackers flying to the ball. Last season, the Panthers ranked No. 13 in FCS scoring defense (18.0 PPG) and No. 5 in rushing defense (87.1 YPG).
Cuvelier has been a standout on that side of the ball since 2019 when he transferred in from Iowa Central Community College. He finished third on the UNI defense with 88 total tackles. His debut game for the Panthers at Iowa State saw 14 tackles, and he had 21 tackles in a 17-0 quarterfinal loss at James Madison.
The following season, UNI played seven games in the spring. Cuvelier still racked up 71 tackles, leading the MVFC with 10.1 tackles per game and getting named on the All-Conference First Team.
Last fall, Cuvelier was off to another standout season. But he suffered an injury and appeared in only the first seven regular-season games. Cuvelier recorded 75 tackles and 4.5 TFLs, earning another nod on the All-MVFC First Team. The 6-foot-3, 245-pounder made plays all over the field. He had a 15-tackle performance against Sac State, 17 tackles and 2.5 TFLs against Youngstown State, and 19 tackles against South Dakota.
UNI finished 6-6 last season, making the playoff bracket with a 6-5 record. The Panthers went to Eastern Washington in the first round, who had an argument to be a seed at 9-2 and who averaged 44.0 points per game. The defense put up a helluva performance, but UNI lost 19-9. UNI will always be a tough out for any opponent behind its elite defense, as shown in its 16-10 season-opening loss to FBS No. 7 Iowa State last year. But their tough schedule and some inconsistent offensive explosiveness have the Panthers on the playoff bubble just about every year. The Panthers look to be in that postseason mix again, ranking No. 24 in our preseason Top 25.
