The excitement surrounding the UNI football program has never been bigger than it is right now. The Panthers are unbeaten and top ranked nationally after beating Southern Illinois in an exciting homecoming contest 30-24 as they get set for this week’s visit to Western Illinois.

UNI coach Mark Farley says the players and people in the program have created an atmosphere that is "very energizing." But Farley says the players are enjoying the atmosphere, but are not caught up in it, and if they can keep doing that, they can keep having success.

Farley says they have to guard against looking beyond Western Illinois and let everyone else look the to future and other things.