Farley looking for key roles players in spring game

By Mike Stout, Correspondent

CEDAR FALLS - For fans, the spring football game at Northern Iowa is a chance to see football for the first time in six months - a time to break out the grills and jerseys that sat idle during the winter.

For Coach Mark Farley, the game at 6:30 tonight is about one thing - finding an identity for his squad.

“You know who your main guys are going to be,” Farley said. “The spring is really about finding those five or six guys who can step up and play a part.”

Northern Iowa returns 18 starters from a team that won the Missouri Valley Football Conference, and all that experience will be needed to repeat that success. The Panthers skidded to a stop in the first round of the FCS playoffs with a loss to Lehigh.

“That experience definitely helps,” Farley said. “We had a new quarterback, a young offensive line. We'll be a little more ready this time.”

Much like last season, the Panthers will look to senior quarterback Tirrell Rennie to carry a large portion of the workload. Rennie led the team in rushing, picking up 1,291 yards in his first year at Northern Iowa. He struggled at passing the ball, throwing 11 interceptions and eight touchdowns.

The run-first Panthers will look to a pair of two-sport stars to solidify their offensive attack. Leading receiver Jerred Herring and running back Carlos Anderson are members of the UNI track and field team.

“It's a good marriage,” Farley said. “They're still out there competing with guys from the Big 12, the Big Ten, you know. The competition is what's important.”

Track practice doesn't excuse the star sprinters from other mandatory team activities, Farley said.

“Oh, they still get in the weight room,” Farley said. “I think what's critical is the balance.”

Also missing from spring action is senior receiver Josh Collins, who will miss the remainder of the summer after injuring a knee. Farley hopes to have Collins' services by the first game of the season.