UNI picked 3rd in 2023 MVFC preseason poll

CEDAR FALLS — To the surprise of no one, the Missouri Valley Football Conference’s 12 head coaches are all excited about their 2023 teams.

While optimism was everywhere on the first day of August, MVFC voters almost unanimously picked South Dakota State — the reigning national champions — to repeat as the conference’s top team.

North Dakota State and Northern Iowa followed the Jackrabbits in the preseason poll’s second and third spots respectively.

Panthers Coach Mark Farley said Tuesday he appreciates the respect, but added he won’t spend much time thinking about the prognostications.

“A lot of things go into the voting,” Farley said. “I think respect. I think everybody looks at talent coming back. There’s just too many good players, too many good coaches.

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“This is the best of FCS football. We’re proven — meaning this league. So, that’s a lot of respect and humbling to be anywhere in (the top of) the rankings, but at the same time that’s not the goal to be No. 3 either.”

UNI’s chances of disrupting the SDSU and NDSU stranglehold on the MVFC are in part provoked by quarterback Theo Day and what became a potent Panthers offense last season.

After Day received preseason second-team all-MVFC preseason honors Tuesday, Farley described how he’s among the best quarterbacks he’s ever coached.

“He’s got the height. He’s got great vision. He’s got a super-strong arm. He can run,” Farley said. “Very committed to what he does off the field in preparing. Very intelligent.

“(But) the only way you gain confidence is by experience, and through experience and through his play he’s only catapulted himself to the top quarterback that I’ve had. The only exception to that may be Eric Sanders, and Eric Sanders was the best because of the intangibles. (Theo’s) challenge this year is to show those intangibles.”

The return of three former coaches in defensive coordinator Jeremiah Johnson, defensive backs coach Keelon Brookins and offensive line coach Rick Nelson also figures to play a considerable factor in UNI’s chances to contend in the MVFC.

The experience of the three allows Farley to get back into more of a CEO role for the program. Perhaps most importantly, it’s already demonstrated value in helping a defense that started slowly last season.

“It’s being efficient. And to be efficient, you can be more productive,” Farley said. “It is an easy transition now and we’re much more efficient.

“Those things are established because of trust over years. Now we can move more quickly into what we’re playing (and) the detail of what we’re playing because they know where it goes. They know the ins and outs of the calls. There’s no question that it’s moved our install up more quickly.”

UNI opens its season on Sept. 2 at Iowa State. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. (ESPN+)

All-MVFC preseason teams

Defensive tackle Khristian Boyd, defensive back Woo Governor and place-kicker Matthew Cook earned first-team preseason all-MVFC honors.

Quarterback Theo Day, wide receiver Sam Schnee, tight end Alex Allen, and offensive lineman Jared Penning were picked to the second team.

Honorable mentions were wide receiver Sergio Morancy, defensive lineman Cordarrius Bailey, punter Noah Pettinger and long snapper Isaiah Garman.

2023 MVFC preseason poll

1. South Dakota State (44)

2. North Dakota State (1)

3. Northern Iowa

4. North Dakota

5. Southern Illinois

6. Youngstown State

7. Illinois State

8. Missouri State

9. South Dakota

10. Indiana State

11. Murray State

12. Western Illinois