The University of Northern Iowa football team is winding down spring practice that will culminate with the spring game this Saturday. Panther coach Mark Farley says he’s glad to know the 2007 schedule is finally set with addition of Drake for the 11th game.
Farley says there was a lot of work and time put into it by the athletic department with schools teasing as to whether they would or would not play. Farley says there are few schools that will travel to UNI to play a game without something attached to it. UNI considered offers to play Mississippi State and two-time defending national champion Appalachian State on the road, before coming to an agreement to play Drake in Des Moines.
Farley says they wish they had a home game, but he says they get to play in the state and Drake has a great stadium and they had a good turnout when they played Drake last year. The Panthers will be on the road for the entire month of September, including a visit to Iowa State along with the Drake game. Farley says whether you’re on the road or at home, you have to do the same thing.
Farley says it comes down to just performing and taking each game for what it is. Farley says every game and every play could cost you, or it could open up a door for you. As for the spring game, Farley says it’ll go much like it has in the past. He says they’ll play some time of game and will kick it off at two o’clock. Farley says one of the things they’ll be looking at this Saturday is finding a new kicker.
Farley says they seem to be doing a decent job on kicking inside the 30. He says outside the 30 is a tough area where you need to know if you’re going to go for it. Farley says he also wants to see what his kickers can do outside. Farley is in his sixth year as the Panthers head coach, and is trying to get them back to the playoffs after failing to get there last year.