UNI Spring Game: 5 things to watch

CEDAR FALLS — Spring football comes to a close this week, as the Northern Iowa football team comes together for its final practices, culminating in the Spring Game on Friday night.

After an FCS Playoffs quarterfinal loss to North Dakota State — a game everyone involved considered the national title game — everyone was champing at the bit to get back to the field, and the Panthers' practices have reflected that. Friday will mark the first time all the fans who've been waiting for football to return will get to see a very different version of a defense that dominated teams at the end of 2015, and what should be an improved passing game.

So, as fans take in the Spring Game, here are five things to watch for, as this will be the last anyone will see of football until everyone returns in the fall.

FOCUSED PASSING GAME

Coach Mark Farley didn't like how one-dimensional the offense became at the end of last season, so it's been all systems go behind new co-offensive coordinator Ryan Mahaffey on making Aaron Bailey more comfortable throwing the ball. But that's what Joe Davis wanted last year, and it never quite materialized.

By all accounts — Farley, Mahaffey, associate head coach Bill Salmon, receiver Daurice Fountain and running back Tyvis Smith — Bailey looks much improved, as do the receivers. Balance is important, but the running game is nothing to be ignored. Even a glimpse into how Mahaffey strikes it with his play-calling will be something to watch.

'It's always exciting when we have guys on that side of the ball who can go out and make plays and have experience,' Mahaffey said. 'It opens up the playbook a little bit because you're able to do more just because of that experience. It's exciting watching them every day work on the field to get better. We're excited about the work we've put in.'

WHO STEPS UP AT LB?

The unexpected loss of Brett McMakin was not something Farley was super prepared for following last season. With the defensive line basically the only part of the defense with any kind of carry-over from last season, the middle and back of the defense has a lot to figure out.

At linebacker specifically, junior Jared Farley is thrust into the leadership role McMakin was supposed to have, but he's been out all spring. Senior D'Shawn Dexter is the only other upper classman with significant game experience. Other than senior Barkley Hill (a former running back), the rest of the linebackers are sophomores. A.J. Allen and Ricky Neal have gotten plenty of run, but the Spring Game won't be what they are as final products.

The one to watch: Duncan Ferch. Given their production and seniority, Farley and Dexter are front-runners to start. Of the group of sophomores who will need to step up, Ferch got the most run last year, playing in 13 games with 13 tackles. At 6-foot-2 and 226 pounds, he's the exact body type Mark Farley loves for the position. He'll get a lot of time in the Spring Game, and it will be interesting how he handles a bigger role.

CONTINUITY ON THE O-LINE

Losing Jacob Rathmacher isn't an easy hole to fill, but he's one of the few UNI lost on the offensive line. Center Robert Rathje is back, as are three other starters. Headed into the last few seasons, the line has been leaner and less imposing than the coaching staff would like, but by the end of last season, they were clicking — and even without a key piece lost to injury (hold that thought).

Returning as much as they do, and with a year in the weight room to bulk up, this line could get mean. Smith and Bailey are certainly excited by that aspect, and opposing defensive lines likely won't be.

The one to watch: Cal Twait. He was lost to a knee injury last season, but he's back and has looked good this spring. He played his way onto the field as a true freshman, which is rare under Mark Farley, who usually likes to bring young guys along slowly. It'll be important to see how he flows in a game situation and how he's been able to grow coming off the surgery.

HI, MY NAME IS …

Losing an entire secondary is one thing. Losing an NFL Draft pick and potentially two other NFL prospects in the process is brutal. So who's left?

Of the 10 defensive backs on the roster, six are seniors-to-be, but playing behind Deiondre Hall, Makinton Dorleant, Tim Kilfoy and Edwin Young doesn't leave much playing time to go around. That said, Jamison Whiting had some sterling moments in relief for Young a few times last year, and likely will be the standard-bearer for this new version of the defensive backfield.

Ray Buchanan Jr., Willie Beamon (no, not the quarterback from Any Given Sunday), DJ Singleton and Damon Hendrix will show what improvements they've made for the Spring Game crowd on Friday. Farley hasn't been coy about how the defense has come along — 'we're way behind,' he said — but he loves seeing players respond to these situations. It'll take some time to get used to the new faces, but they've had good teachers.

NEW ROLES

The aforementioned defensive line should be the anchor for this defense starting out, but an interesting shift has taken place. Karter Schult, who was a one-man-wrecking-crew at defensive tackle last season, has spent a lot of time at defensive end this spring. Bryce Paup worked wonders with this group after losing Xavier Williams and Max Busher last year, so far be it from anyone outside the defensive room to question his moves.

It'll just be fascinating to see how guys like Ezra Szczyrbak (say that five times fast) and 6-foot-2, 335-pound (!!) Bryce Douglas step in and step up. With Preston Woods returning, too, how the defensive line takes a step forward collectively could be vital to how the whole defense looks.

The Spring Game is Friday at 6:30 p.m. at the UNI-Dome and admission is free to the public.

l Comments: (319) 368-8884; jeremiah.davis@thegazette.com