Cal Poly brings triple-option offense to the UNI-Dome

CEDAR FALLS — Northern Iowa is aiming to put a mark in the win column this week and while the competition doesn't measure up to last week's at Iowa State, it does provide a unique enough challenge to have head coach Mark Farley and his players on alert.

Cal Poly (0-2) is set to invade the UNI-Dome with its — usually — reliable triple-option run-heavy offense that's similar to Army, Navy and Georgia Tech's at the FBS level.

That unique challenge the Mustangs present with their offense keeps a lot of college football coaches from even entertaining the idea of scheduling them. Farley is not one of those coaches.

'That (offense) is why people don't play these teams,' he said. 'It takes a whole different dynamic now. Everything we've practiced and worked on for months really doesn't matter. It changes everything. It changes what you're going to do on offense as much as what you're going to do on defense.

'It's the number of plays that you get, because this style of offense is a four-down offense. It's going to be 12-play drives. It's going to be third and one, fourth and two. So, you're always in a goal-line type attitude. That's what we have to really work hard at this week. I don't want to say change the mind-set of the players, but you sure have to alter it to fit this style of team you're going to play.'

Cal Poly's attack changes the recipe for what equals an effective offense for a week. A week ago against Iowa State, the Panthers had eight of their 13 drives go for three plays or less. That's something the Panthers will more than likely not be able to afford this week. A crucial part of being successful against Cal Poly is beating them at their own game, which in large part includes possessing the football.

Farley hinted at what the offense may look like against the Mustangs, saying the run game needs to improve and protecting the football becomes paramount against this type of an opponent.

As far as mind-set alteration is concerned defensively, the Panther defenders will be challenged to stay overly disciplined and play assignment football against the Mustangs triple-option.

'I'll relate it to this,' Farley said. 'Everybody knows what Navy is going to do — they still do it. It's the same plays. It's how they run them. And there's enough adaptability in that offense that it will adjust to anything you line up against it.

'You're limited what you can line up against it. And it comes down to personnel, and the discipline within the personnel. So that's what's so prevalent this week is the discipline within your assignment. It's a test of discipline as much as it's a test of toughness and durability.'