The UNI Panthers visit Southern Illinois in a key Gateway Conference matchup. Both teams are 6-3 and have hopes of advancing to the national playoffs. Coach Mark Farley says this has become a great game and he says Southern will provide another great game as the Salukis are still in the thick of things.

With a victory on Saturday and next week against Illinois State the Panthers would win at least a share of the Gateway Conference title. Farley says they’re dealing with top 15 teams and to get where you want to go, you have to win.

Farley says his team faces a big challenge, as he says Southern has always been a good defensive team. Farley says it’ll be tough at their stadium, but he says they’re in the championship mode football and need to find a way to play four good quarters of football.