It was late and cold.

That, however, wasn’t enough to keep 50 screaming Northern Iowa fans from greeting the Panthers at Waterloo airport early Sunday morning as they arrived home from Oklahoma City, the site of their stunning upset of No. 1 Kansas.

One of the fans, Pat Blank, said, “I went to UNI 30-something years ago, and I was a cheerleader. And I’ve never stopped being a cheerleader. Even at 1:30 in the morning, someone needs to be here to welcome them home.”

The players ate it up and several signed autographs. Others chatted with fans and joined in the “UNI, UNI” chants that rang throughout.

Northern Iowa coach Ben Jacobson said, “This is awesome. It’s been a thrill.”

Fans–including one baby in a stroller–started gathering at the airport around midnight.

Ali Farokhmanesh, who hit the game-clinching three-pointer in the final minute vs. Kansas, said, “This is awesome. We talked on the plane that there might be a few people here, but we thought it might be a little too late and a little too cold.”

(article source: USA Today, image source: CNM News Network)