UNI coach Mark Farley doubts quarterback Pat Grace will be available when the Panthers visit Youngstown State this weekend. Grace injured his knee in the fourth quarter of UNI’s win over North Dakota State but Farley says the injury is not as bad as originally feared.
Farley says Grace has been in the training room since the injury, trying to get back. Farley says Grace did injure his knee, but it is not as bad as some might think. Farley says redshirt freshman Zach Davis will get the start at quarterback.
Farley say they won’t change a thing, as they’ve built the offense and recruited the quarterbacks who can run the offense. Farley says the Washington, Iowa native has a similar style to Grace. He says everyone was recruiting Davis to be a strong safety, and he played a great quarterback. Farley says Davis’ tough play in which he liked to hit made people think he might play defense.
The Panthers are 3-1 in the Missouri Valley and 5-2 overall. They will play four of five games on the road to close out the regular season. Farley says if they continue to step forward each week, then the team can be very optimistic. But, he says they also have to maintain their focus and attitude to work during the week to prepare. He says last year’s team could just step on the field and do some things, while this team has to prepare.
Youngstown State is 1-3 in the Valley and 2-6 overall.