Spring progress excites UNI football coach Mark Farley

CEDAR FALLS — With only two practices and a spring game remaining, Northern Iowa football coach Mark Farley is feeling confident about his team.

Coming off a 6-5 2022 season that left the Panthers just outside the FCS’ 24-team playoff field, the return of three former coaches has helped boost his confidence.

“I’m pleased with the progress. Very pleased,” Farley said. “A big part of this whole (spring) was the coaching, (and) bringing the coaches that we brought back, we didn’t miss a beat there.

“We were young in a lot of positions and needed this development time and I think particularly in the last five practices we’ve made really good progress.”

The return of all-Missouri Valley Conference quarterback Theo Day — along with nearly all of his wide receivers and tight ends — has also provided a lot toward the 23rd-year coach’s confidence level.

“There’s a lot of great things going on within our program,” Farley said. “Theo Day is as good as you’ll find at the University of Northern Iowa. He’s the best quarterback in the state. I’ll say it out loud.

“We got some players. We got to get them lined up and they got to perform. There’s a lot of work to do, but there’s a lot of talent to do it with.”

One of the new, former coaches, who returned this offseason is offensive line coach Rick Nelson.

Nelson has been tasked with directing and evaluating a formidable competition this spring after four starters graduated from last season’s line. It’s likely the Panthers’ most important position battle, as it could dictate whether or not Day and the offense can replicate, or improve upon, the success it had in 2022.

“The players are there. It’s the age and experience of the players that is in question,” Farley said. “(But) you can only get experience by playing. So, we’ll find that out when we line up for the first time and get through those first three, four football games (and) see what their growth is. Having coach Nelson back is critical at this time.”

Jared Penning, a 2022 Phil Steele All-MVFC honoree, returns at left guard. Chase Arends, who played in seven games a season ago and made three starts in the 2021 spring season, is starting at center once again. Tristan Roper, who’s made five career starts and played in 17 games, has looked good at right guard per Farley.

The most inexperience comes at left and right tackle, but as Farley pointed out the talent and size is there. Six-foot-7 sophomores Ben Kuehnast and Gavin Proudfoot appear poised to secure those spots, although Iowa transfer Josh Volk is in the mix, but has been set back by a minor injury this spring.

Farley wasn’t as forthcoming with names in the mix for the five open spots in the Panthers’ defensive back seven.

Linebacker Ben Belken, who’s played in 14 games, hauled in a red-zone interception to end Saturday’s practice. It appears Belken is competing closest with Cam Baker, Amauri Pesek-Hickson and Tucker Langenberg for the two available inside linebacker spots.

Competition at cornerback and safety looks to be more uncertain than any other, but Farley told The Gazette those who start at Friday’s spring game will be expected starters this season, short of any late changes that could develop in fall camp.

UNI wraps up spring practice on Friday with a game starting at 7 p.m. The Panthers will play roughly an hourlong exhibition, he said. UNI opens its 2023 season at Iowa State on Sept. 2.