The UNI football team, still stinging after a bitter 40-36 loss at number one ranked Southern Illinois, now must prepare for Western Kentucky with a new quarterback. Redshirt freshman Eric Sanders from Oelwein will now guide the Panthers following what appears to be a season ending injury to senior Tom Petrie. Petrie, a three-year starter for UNI, broke his collarbone in the fourth quarter in last Saturday’s loss. Panther coach Mark Farley knows Sanders has big shoes to fill but he likes the decision making of his freshman. Farley says Sanders is very savy and has the intangibles and says he’s improving on his skills every day.Farley feels without Petrie his team needs contributions from other players. He says they have to make sure that other leaders step up and take pressure off Sanders to allow him to be successful. Farley says Sanders doesn’t have to carry the team, he just has to do his job.Saturday’s contest is UNI’s Homecoming.
