UNI football notes on 8th-place MVFC projection, transfer portal, offensive coordinator change

CEDAR FALLS — The Missouri Valley Football Conference’s annual preseason poll includes the lowest prognostication for Northern Iowa in Coach Mark Farley’s 24-year tenure.

Farley was unfazed by the eighth-place prediction.

“I guarantee you probably seven of (the MVFC teams) are in the top 20 (in the FCS) at the end of the season, so, it is what it is,” Farley said. “I’m not too concerned about any of that stuff as we get ready for the season.”

Transfer portal remains frustrating for UNI

What did elicit an impassioned response from Farley during Tuesday’s annual MVFC media days were questions about roster building in the current era of the transfer portal.

UNI’s veteran coach continued to acknowledge the need to adapt with the times over recent seasons, describing how the transfer portal works both ways for FBS and FCS programs. However, he also didn’t hold back when describing the nature of FBS teams' awareness of FCS rosters, going as far to use the word “tampering.”

“I know there are (FBS) staffs right now that have already scouted each team in this conference. They already know the personnel in this conference and they’ve got guys that will watch the games as they unfold and grade them,” Farley said. “They’re getting tampered with — whatever word you want to use — there’s communication there, somehow, someway, to those players to make them think about (transferring).”

How UNI is handling a sudden change at offensive coordinator

There are numerous questions entering fall camp regarding the unsettled nature at offensive coordinator after Luke Falk’s sudden departure due to a family illness in late June.

Farley described how previous young, talented coaches he’s had on staff have impacted his approach in a situation like this. New assistants Trey Tinsley and Joel Filani will both have opportunities in preseason camp to become the Panthers’ play-caller.

“When you have those high-level coaches, they need opportunity,” Farley said. “With that opportunity you can see how they can grow more quickly. Who has a presence to be able to control a staff meeting as much as a team meeting? Who has that savviness and calmness to be able to (call) the game ahead of the game and not behind the play? That takes practice. That takes repetitions and that takes experience, and that’s what camp is for.”

11 UNI players earn preseason MVFC honors

First team: OL Jared Penning

Second team: DL Cannon Butler, LB Tucker Langenberg

Honorable mention: RB Tye Edwards, WR Sergio Morancy, WR Desmond Hutson, TE Layne Pryor, DL Carter Hewitt, LB Ben Belken, DB Jonathan Cabral-Martin, P Noah Pettinger