Different challenge facing UNI this week

The challenge for Mark Farley will be simple this week - find a way to challenge Northern Iowa's football team.

Saturday, the red-hot Panthers take on 0-5 Indiana State and its 31-game losing streak. The Sycamores are saddled with the longest such slide in the nation.

Monday, Farley said his players are well-aware of Indiana State's place in the football world. He won't try to camouflage it.

“That's the obvious part,” Farley said of ISU's winless ways. “That's what we'll be talking about this week.”

Farley said the dialogue with the Panthers also will take an internal turn.

“We have to find a way to challenge our team and do it for four quarters and not worry about who we play, but how we're playing,” added the UNI head coach.

“If you dare look too far down the road, if you dare look past today, I think you start becoming complacent with where you're at and you'll become neutral. So we'll challenge the team as early as (Monday).”

Since the season-opening loss at Iowa, the tests have been few and far between for UNI. The Panthers have won three straight games by four touchdowns or more, including the 35-7 win over Missouri State to open the Missouri Valley Football Conference schedule.

Farley freely admitted he can't find much reason for complaint when he examines the Panthers' 3-1 record.

“We've got a good football team right now,” he said.

That doesn't mean UNI's game is as tidy as it could be.

Penalties, for one thing, are a concern.

Through four games, the Panthers have drawn 30 flags to just 17 for their opponents. The average yardage lost per game stands at 62.8, the fourth-highest total among Valley Football teams. Youngstown State leads at 78.8 with Indiana State and Illinois State next in line.

“We have talked about it and worked on it,” said Farley. “We still need to do a better job of what we're doing.”

Versatile Boothby

Ben Boothby has been a fixture at defensive end for UNI this year. He's also getting a chance to display his versatility.

Boothby has taken some snaps at defensive tackle, relieving starters Chuck Kinney and Wes Lane. It gives a chance to get Darren Branch in the game; he had a sack against Missouri State. Meanwhile, Kinney and Lane get a bit of a break.

“Darren Branch has become a very good player for us,” said Farley. “We'll continue to move Ben inside and outside.”

Boothby also returned to part-time duty on offense Saturday. He played fullback in UNI's short-yardage set.

Farley laughed when someone asked if Boothby wants to get a carry.

“They all want to have the ball,” he said. “You can't get two words out of Ben very often, even if he does want the ball. He just wants to play.

“That's one thing about this football team. They just want to play. It's fun to coach them. Again, we just need to keep challenging them and keep the fun in it. But also, keep the work in it.”

-- Jim Sullivan, Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier