U-N-I football coach Mark Farley has an experienced team that opened spring drills this week. Fifteen starters return from a Panther squad that advanced to the one-double-a semifinals last season, including nine on offense. He says the offense will be built around quarterback Tom Petrie. Farley says Petrie has built his stats very quietly. Petrie has started 27-games for U-N-I in three seasons and the Panther’s are 18-9. Farley says it’s unique to have a quarterback come back for his fourth season after already having throw for so many yards. Farley says while Petrie has experience that’s not the case with the other quarterbacks. He says there’s a gap and they have to find the backup, which means they have to teach both ends of the spectrum, from the youth to experience.The Panthers will hold an intrasquad game on April 24th to conclude drills.

Radio Iowa