116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
‘It’s fun, man’: UNI football thinking positive while acknowledging challenges entering 2023 season
After 6-5 season, Panthers are hopeful this fall will be more successful
CEDAR FALLS — The season hasn’t kicked off yet, but Northern Iowa football coach Mark Farley is already having fun.
Coming off a 6-5 record a season ago that left the Panthers just on the outside of the FCS Playoffs, Farley said at Friday’s annual media day that whether it’s in the coaches offices, out on the practice field or eating as a team he’s having a great time.
“It’s a good football team and when I say that it’s great men (on) it,” Farley said. “It’s fun, man, these guys are good guys. I got a great staff, a great football team as far as people. We’ll figure out how good we are as coaches and players, but right now practice is fun and going to the office is fun.”
While having fun is welcome, Farley also acknowledged the realities of having an experienced team without experience playing together. Then throw in the rigors of a schedule that begins Sept. 2 at Iowa State and is followed by Big Sky Conference stalwarts Weber State and Idaho State before a Week 4 bye.
“There’s a lot of things that go on in first games — first three games, even. Let’s go to the Iowa State game. Man, we don't know anything about them. They know a lot more about us than we know about them,” Farley said. “Same with Weber State. Idaho State’s got a new staff. So, all three of those (teams) know more about us than we know about them.”
Along with that unfamiliarity challenge, UNI’s defense is simply trying to bounce back in 2023. The Panthers had their lowest season sack total since 2012 (17) and 38 points allowed per game led to their 0-3 start in 2022.
“We’re still doing the same things now that we were doing before I left,” said Jeremiah Johnson, who’s back as defensive coordinator after a long stint on the staff from 2007-2021. “The biggest thing (is) anytime you have guys that haven’t played together, inexperienced guys, (is) getting them through the communication part.”
Defensive end Cordarrius Bailey and All-Missouri Valley Football Conference quarterback pointed toward communication and chemistry as reasons why they see the team being able to reach its potential this season.
“Relationships, brotherhood and great communication — everybody (is) on one accord now,” Bailey said. “It’s a blessing to have (Johnson) back. This year we’re ready.”
Day — the Michigan State transfer entering his third season with the Panthers — stirred up 2024 NFL Draft buzz after throwing for 3,121 yards and 26 touchdowns a season ago, but isn’t losing sight of intangibles he can offer this season as opposed to the past two.
“(Intangibles) are always something I’ve tried to work on, whether it’s leadership or anything else like that, but I think this year I took probably the biggest jump I’ve ever taken,” Day said. “It started with the offense. I was more outspoken with them and I was really trying to lead that group from the front and vocally as well. And then it kind of started to become more of me leading this team. This is a very close team. I’ve been to one other school before this and it was never like this.”
Daily Newsletters