UNI football seeks continued rhythm in running game, better pass rush

CEDAR FALLS — A consistent level of production from both the Northern Iowa offense and defense was enough to get a 24-17 road win against Southern Illinois last Saturday. All three phases played better in Week 5 than they had before the bye in Week 3.

The stalled running game was a point of emphasis during the bye, according to head coach Mark Farley. Coming into Saturday's game the Panthers ranked last in the Missouri Valley Football Conference in rushing yards per game by a considerable margin. Take away the loss in yardage from Eli Dunne's two sacks and 166 yards rushing against the Salukis helped the offense immensely in the win.

'We put a lot of time and effort into (the running game),' Farley said. 'It was always there. It was just that we were a little out of rhythm.'

A couple of things helped pave the way for the running game to find its rhythm again.

Playing 6-foot-3, 270-pound defensive end Adam Reth at fullback was one. Refusing to deviate from a commitment to the running game no matter the return was another.

'We stuck to the plan. It's easy to come out of a run game plan when you're only getting one or two yards (per carry), but if you stay the course you're bound to hit your yards and we did that,' Farley said. 'I was very pleased about that part of the run game.'

Defensively the Panthers still struggle to sack the quarterback, having only registered three through four games. Masking over the pass-rushing struggles has been the ability to take the ball away from opponents. UNI has forced three fumbles and grabbed six interceptions — with freshmen safeties Suni Lane and Korby Sander doing more than simply meeting expectations in the midst of it all. Farley praised the freshman duo on Monday for their football savvy and intelligence.

'It's a puzzle every time we go out there with those two, but it's a piece of the puzzle you can fit together because they allow you to do some things,' Farley said. 'And you can get them corrected within a game and get them straightened out.

'They went after Suni and Korby all day long. That's all anybody is doing right now. They see two freshman on the roster and they go after them. Fortunately those two have stood up for the most part, and each day they get better.'

Farley said the focus for the defense going forward will be eliminating explosive plays. The message to the offense will be to continue to find ways to get better with the running game and continue incorporating things into the passing game to help. Dunne's ability to throw at a high percentage will continue to be key toward augmenting the Panthers running game. So, while there was praise Saturday night for the offense after the win, there was anxiousness on Monday.

'Offensively we have to improve today,' Farley said. 'We can't wait until Saturday. This is too progressive of a league.'

The Panthers host 18th-ranked Western Illinois (3-1, 0-1) at 4 p.m. Saturday for Homecoming.

Injury update

Farley said Monday that he expects to have 'the majority' of his first-team unit available at practice this week, however the status of left tackle Cal Twait (leg/ankle) remains unclear.

'He wasn't available (Saturday) but by Tuesday or Wednesday he may be available. How much he practices this week I don't know. But he has the possibility of playing,' Farley said. 'He went out and tried to run and do some things Saturday and it just wasn't to the level that he needed to be able to play.'