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2-Minute Drill: The Northern Iowa Panthers

Marc Morehouse

Aug. 28, 2014 1:00 am

IOWA RUSH OFFENSE VS. UNI RUSH DEFENSE

The senior from Kansas City, Mo., is a three-year starter and he's active. Last season, he was third on the team with 74 tackles. He had 12 tackles for loss and six sacks, earning FCS honorable mention all-America. UNI coach Mark Farley offered an excellent assessment of what makes Williams work: 'He's got real long arms. He does a real good job anticipating the hit, if you will. He knows where the pressure points are. He has a way of finding his way through those. He can extend and get some separation so he can get down the field again.'

Linebacker Jake Farley (6-2, 228), suffered a broken leg against North Dakota State 10 months ago, returns to the lineup. Last season, he had 56 tackles in the first five games. Middle linebacker Max Busher (6-1, 237), who led the Panthers with 75 tackles last year, also returns.

With Williams, Farley and Busher, UNI should be strong down the middle up front. Iowa has junior center Austin Blythe (6-3, 290), who begins his third year as a starter, and then it has players with short, stunted resumes. Junior right guard Jordan Walsh (6-4, 290) started all 13 games last season, but rotated in and out. Redshirt freshman Sean Welsh (6-3, 285) won the left guard spot out of spring.

Iowa has four running backs and an all-American candidate at left tackle. It has a chance to control the tempo of the game here, but UNI is formidable where Iowa wants to take the ball.

Advantage: Iowa

IOWA PASS OFFENSE VS. UNI PASS DEFENSE

Rank the NFL-able players in this game. Iowa left tackle Brandon Scherff is No. 1 (that's a gimme). Then, you probably go Iowa defensive tackle Carl Davis with UNI fans stating a solid case for running back David Johnson. The point is Johnson has worked himself into an NFL prospect during his five years in Cedar Falls.

Johnson (6-3, 229) is No. 4 on UNI's career rushing list (3,129), seventh in career points (264) and is just one of three players in UNI history with more than 1,000 yards rushing and 1,000 yards receiving (1,198). (Tuck away what Johnson can do in the passing game for now).

While we're on the top of NFL-able players in this game, does UNI tackle Jack Rummells fit in? The former West Branch prep begins this season with 29 career starts, including all 12 as the Panthers' left tackle last season. He's got requisite size (6-5, 300) and has left an impression. 'Jack is obviously our mainstay,' UNI offensive coordinator Bill Salmon said. 'He is as good of a player as we have had here.'

During Iowa's interview sessions this week, senior defensive tackle Louis Trinca-Pasat mentioned that he has noticed himself talking to the linebacker more so far this season than any other. That's logical. Iowa's linebackers are new. Iowa lost three seniors who are currently in NFL camps (with two possible starters) and who compiled 35.5 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks. What will distinguish a young linebacker corps? Tackles behind the line of scrimmage would be a great start. As for who those young linebackers will be, it's up in the air after senior middle linebacker Quinton Alston. Freshman Josey Jewell and sophomore Reggie Spearman are working it out at weakside; junior Travis Perry and freshman Bo Bower are candidates on the strongside.

Advantage: Iowa

UNI PASS OFFENSE VS. IOWA PASS DEFENSE

1) R-E-S-P-E-C-T

— Iowa's 2009 scare against the Panthers has left a burn in the Hawkeyes' plasma TV screen. Of course, you block two 40-yard field goals in the final seconds to survive at Kinnick Stadium against an FCS opponent, you tend to remember their colors. Iowa and UNI did it again in 2012. This time, Iowa lost two running backs and unearthed Mark Weisman, who's turned out to be the team's leading rusher the last two seasons. Iowa showed respect, winning 27-16 and not even thinking of trying out any pyrotechnics on offense. It just wanted to win and get to the lockerroom. Iowa carries the mark of '09 and it won't go into this with its feet up.

2) 'Prove it' mode

— The Hawkeyes have been a semi-chic pick for the College Football Playoff. Get through the non-conference with a 4-0 record, win the Big Ten West and then the championship game, sure, Iowa would have a solid argument. That kind of 'prove it' is and should be way down the list. This 'prove it' goes to the 14 potential sort-of-new starters in Iowa's starting 22 and kicker/punter. That's a lot of newness. Also, you can probably tag running back, wide receiver and tight end with 'prove it.' Staying grounded should be relatively easy for this program, which just two seasons ago finished 4-8.

3) This is a trophy game and the Hawkeyes are the trophy

— Being a semi-chic pick for the playoff is one way to be in the national spotlight. Another is to losing at home to an FCS opponent in your opener. If it looks as though FCS teams spin off their axis into euphoria when they conquer an FBS school, it's because they do. And why not? Only one FCS will win the national title. This season, there will be 108 FBS-FCS matchups. Last year, the FCS notched 16 upsets, highlighted in the season's opening weekend when North Dakota State won at Kansas State, Eastern Washington toppled Oregon State and FBS-bound Georgia Southern topped Florida. This is the opening weekend, UNI is an FCS school and the Hawkeyes are the trophy.

Advantage: Push

IOWA WILL WIN IF ...

The Hawkeyes rush for 200-plus yards and apply pressure to Kollmorgen. If Iowa averages 5.0 yards or more per carry, it will enter a comfort zone as far as rhythm goes. UNI has veteran players in its passing game. They could exploit a young secondary if the Hawkeyes can't at least bug Kollmorgen.

UNI WILL WIN IF ...

If the Panthers defend the play-action pass and Johnson approaches 250 all-purpose yards. Iowa likely will wade into the passing game with its go-to play-action pass game, faking the run and targeting tight ends, the comfort food of Iowa's passing game. Iowa has talked about going more vertical, but that's a 'believe it when you see it.'

PREDICTION: Iowa 34, UNI 17

l Comments: (319) 398-8256; marc.morehouse@thegazette.com