UNI still believes it has a shot at FCS playoffs

CEDAR FALLS — So you're saying there's a chance.

The Northern Iowa Panthers believe so. If they run the table in their final three games, they'll finish 6-5.

Considering they've played the toughest schedule in FCS and all of their losses have been to good teams and by close margins, they think that still could be enough to persuade the powers that be to include them in the playoffs. Now all they've got to do is run the table.

That task begins Saturday at Indiana State.

'We have to win November,' UNI Coach Mark Farley said. 'By winning November, put yourself in position so you can be talked about on selection day. Because it's been done before, and we're one of the few teams who can speak like that.'

There is recent precedent. Missouri Valley Conference mate Western Illinois got in last season with a 6-5 record.

There should be little doubt that UNI (3-5) is a good football team. The Panthers beat FBS Iowa State in the opener and have blasted Missouri State and Southern Illinois.

But that 25-20 win over ISU is the only time this season Northern Iowa has finished in a game. It lost the following week to Montana by six points and to Eastern Washington the week after that by four.

MVC losses have come to South Dakota by three and Youngstown State by four. It was more of the same last Saturday, a 24-20 loss to five-time defending FCS champ North Dakota State.

So, so close.

'Definitely the margin of (defeats) are very frustrating,' said linebacker Jared Farley, UNI's leading tackler. 'It takes a toll on you. We've been one play away in every single game. The ball bounces one way, we've got to make it bounce our way. We can't expect it to happen, we've got to go make it happen. We're right there in all those games. It's just one play here or there that hasn't happened for us.'

'When you play so hard, and you're doing as much as you can, and it's still not enough, that's tough,' said UNI cornerback Malcolm Washington. 'It's like 'Man, what do we have to do next? Is it this?' But we just keep fighting. That's what we go out with every game. Just keep fighting.'

Washington's third-quarter interception in what was a 21-6 game seemed to swing momentum that allowed UNI to make a strong, late push against NDSU. The Panthers got within 24-20 early in the fourth quarter and ended up having three offensive possessions that could have put them ahead.

The final of those possessions moved the ball inside the Bison 25, but an interception of a tipped pass off a UNI receiver ended the threat and game. Par for the course for this season.

'There's not a lot to fix,' Coach Farley said. 'It's making plays, and having the personnel and the depth to make those plays going down the stretch in the fourth quarter.'

Farley said he was pleased with how quarterback Eli Dunne played in his second collegiate start, despite the sophomore throwing four interceptions. The coach said the status of previous starter Aaron Bailey is undetermined.

Bailey has an undisclosed injury and was not in uniform for the NDSU game. Indiana State is 4-4, 2-3 in the MVC.

The Sycamores have lost three of their last four games, all by three points or less. It appears something will give Saturday at noon.

'We try to win every single day — in practice, game, whatever it is,' Jared Farley said. 'Get better each and every day. We've got to take it one game at a time, can't look too far ahead. Obviously our backs are against the wall with the way we've come out. We've just got to fight every day, try to win every day in practice and try to beat Indiana State this week.'

l Comments: (319) 398-8259; jeff.johnson@thegazette.com