The real season begins for UNI when the Panthers visit Western Illinois this weekend in their Gateway Conference opener. The Panthers have had two weeks to get ready for the start of the conference race after a 45-21 loss at Iowa and stand 2-1 and 8th-ranked national in 1AA. UNI coach Mark Farley says it’s their homecoming game and will be a “big deal” for them, and he says since it’s the first conference game, it’ll be a big deal to his team. Western Illinois is 2-2 and while they have given up a lot of points Farley says their offense has been impressive. He says they have some talent on offense and are very good behind a big offensive line.