The UNI Panthers will host twelfth ranked New Hampshire in the quarterfinal round of the FCS playoffs. The Panthers edged the Wildcats 35-32 in last years opening round and UNI coach Mark Farley believes they are facing an even better team this year. Farley says it’s very comparable in lining up to face Appalachian State in the championship game as he says New Hampshire is as good as they have ever been.
The UNI defense has been outstanding all season long and Farley says that unit will face its most difficult test. Farley says it’s the toughest challenge a UNI defense has been up against. The Panthers have the home field in this one and Farley says it needs to be an advantage. He says they need everything they can get and need the UNI-Dome to ring with noise.
New Hampshire coach Sean McDonnell says the UNI offense will also be tough to stop. He says he likes the way Pat Grace plays and is very efficient. McDonnell hopes having played in the UNI-Dome a year ago helps his team, as they now know what they’re going into. McDonnell says when you’re playing in a hostile environment, as long as you can stay in the game then you have a chance.
Kickoff in the UNI-Dome is six o’clock.