UNI to meet old rival in first round of playoffs

An old rivalry will be renewed this weekend when Northern Iowa visits Eastern Illinois in the opening round of the one-double-a national football playoffs. Both schools used to be part of the Gateway Conference before Eastern moved to the Ohio Valley and both won conference titles this season. U-N-I coach Mark Farley expects a great matchup. He says he’s seen Eastern Illinois a couple of times on film.Farley says it’s time for the Panthers to prove they belong in the national playoffs.Northern Iowa submitted a bid to be the host school for the first two rounds of the playoffs. Athletic Director Rick Hartzell is disappointed the Panthers have to go on the road but understands the program has to earn back its reputation.