The University of Northern Iowa Panthers are getting support from all over the state as they prepare to face Appalachian State Friday in the I-AA national championship football game.

Iowa Senator Tom Harkin, an Iowa State University graduate, jumped on the Panther bandwagon during his weekly conference call with reporters. He says U-N-I has a shot to become only the second N-C-A-A school Iowa to bring home a football championship. “Appalachian State is a solid team, but the Panthers are ready, and I predict a U-N-I victory, 24-21. Write it down.”

Harkin says he has no doubt the Panthers will win. Harkin says, “In fact I’m so confident in the Panthers, I’m willing to wager some Iowa porkchops.” Harkin says he’s bet some Iowa pork chops with Senator Richard Burr of North Carolina who represents the home area of Appalachian State. Harkin says Burr is putting some North Carolina pork on the line.

Harkin says Iowa’s number one in pork production, North Carolina is number two, and he says it’ll be that way in football too. Harkin also said he was wearing a purple tie in honor of the Panthers. U-N-I plays Appalachian State Friday at seven P-M Iowa time in Chattanooga, Tennessee.