Panthers deeper on defense in 2013

CEDAR FALLS - They may not make headlines for the University of Northern Iowa football team - with most of the talk focused on the offensive side of the ball - but the Panther defense is slowly starting to make a name for itself.

UNI graduated four defensive seniors but has a core group of upperclassmen ready to take the field because of a few key transfers during the off-season.

“We had to get big and we had to get fast,” Coach Mark Farley said Wednesday during media day activities. “We had to do it in a hurry because we graduated four seniors, but I thought we did that. We needed to get depth, and we found that.

“After two days, I like what I see from (the transfers).”

The only returning starter in the defense backfield is sophomore Deiondre' Hall, who got on the field late last season because of injuries to other players.

“Hall is a tremendous athlete,” Farley said. “He's put some weight on now, and he can cover some ground.”

The Panthers also return linebacker Zach Cutkomp and defensive lineman Colin Albrecht, both victims of early season-ending injuries a year ago.

“Colin Albrecht is a heck of a story,” Farley said. “You talk about a guy who's been steady from the day he walked in the door to the day he walks out, and now he's going to be an impactful player to our football team this year.”

New coaches

The defense's biggest name early this season is on the coaching staff.

Defensive line coach Bryce Paupwas the National Football League's Defensive Player of the Year in 1995. After coaching high school football, Paup is in his first season with his alma mater.

Two other first-year coaches - Ryan Mahaffey and Garret Scott - also played at UNI.

“It's critical to have UNI people,” Farley said. “You have to know how to do it at UNI. Unless you've been here, unless you've been in this system, it's tough.”