A case of the mumps will keep U-N-I quarterback Eric Sanders from taking part in the Panther’s spring game on Saturday. The junior-to-be led U-N-I to the one-double-a national championship game this past season but coach Mark Farley says he missed much of the second half of spring drills after being diagnosed with the disease.
Farley says Sanders has been quarantined from the team until just recently. He says there is no reason to play Sanders on Saturday. He says they have to find out about their second team quarterback, because Sanders will get a majority of the reps under center in the fall.
Farley says three quarterbacks are battling to become the back-up to Sanders. Nick Nelson, Pat Grace and D-P Iman are all trying to win the job. Farley says all three have made progress, but no one has separated themselves from the pack.
Farley say Sanders was one of a handful of UNI football players to contract mumps. He says when players are in close proximity, one case can create an epidemic in a hurry. Farley says they’ve had five cases, and he says the trainers have done a good job of keeping it under control. As in past years, Farley says two teams will be drafted to create a competitive spring game.