The U.N.I. football team will see a former Hawkeye this weekend when they host Southern Illinois. Junior running back Jewel Hampton transferred to Southern this season after spending the last three years with the Iowa program. Hampton is the Salukis’ leading rusher so far this season and has scored nine touchdowns.
U.N.I. head coach Mark Farley says he remembers how good Hampton was when U.N.I. played Iowa two years ago, and he expects Hampton to be even better now. He says it was a key pickup for them as they were used to having a great player there and they got Hampton and another player from Pitt.
Farley with thirteen starters back from a team that beat U.N.I. a year ago, there are a lot of guys to be concerned about on the Saluki roster. He says the five transfers have also helped them and their defense has always been sound. Farley expects Hampton will have an extra bounce in his step as he returns to the state where he started his college career.
The Panthers host Hampton and the Salukis this Saturday.
By Jesse Gavin, KCNZ, Cedar Falls