Injuries may sideline UNI quarterback Sawyer Kollmorgen and running back David Johnson for Saturday’s game at home against ninth ranked Youngstown State. The Panthers are coming off a 13-3 loss at Illinois State, their fifth straight loss after starting the season 4-0.
“We know where we are at today, we know the plan to lean to without Sawyer,” Panther coach Mark Farley. Kollmorgen suffered a concussion in last week’s game and dual threat quarterback Brion Carnes will get the start if Kollmorgen cannot play. Farley says the defense will defend them differently with Carnes at quarterback and with Johnson out.
Farley says the losing streak is not due to a lack of effort. “Our players have gone out every week and played hard. And they really played hard last week…sometimes we have leaked on defense where we haven’t leaked before,” Farley says. He says they have to adjust to those leakes with changes and believe they have done that now.
Youngstown State coach Eric Wolford expects a tough game despite the recent struggles by the Panthers and says there is no chance his team will overlook UNI. He says they can still see by watching the tape that they are a good team and they play hard and are well coached.
Youngstown State is tied at the top of the Valley standings with a 5-0 record.