UNI football coach Mark Farley says spring practice is off to a good start. The Panthers are coming off a banner season in which they posted an unbeaten mark in the regular season before falling to Delaware in the quarterfinal round of the national playoffs.
Despite some key losses from a year ago Farley expects to field another team that can compete for the Gateway Conference championship. He says the expectations are very, and things will be different with the turnover, particularly in the offensive line. Farley says they’re trying to do some things to move this team ahead.
All American quarterback Eric Sanders will be the biggest replacement but Farley says he feels good about that position. Farley says Pat Grace has had a good start to practice and it’s his time after serving as the backup.
Farley is serving as the school’s interim athletic director as the search for a permanent replacement for Rick Hartzell continues. Farley says his coaching staff has helped take some of the pressure off him this spring, as he says being the head coach is a full-time position in itself. Farley says the athletic department needs to grow in many ways, including continuing to build the football program. The Panther’s spring game is April 26th.