Farley 'excited' about 2011 football season

Mark Farley's catch phrase Monday was "excited."

And who could blame him?

The University of Northern Iowa football coach learned his team is the preseason favorite in defense of its Missouri Valley Football Conference title while getting ready to tee off at the Zach Johnson Foundation Classic at Elmcrest Country Club.

The MVFC also had called a teleconference for its nine coaches and Farley was scheduled to speak last. League officials moved him up front, so he spoke from the practice green.

"It's an exciting time of year," he said.

The Panthers received the top spot in a poll by league coaches, media and sports information directors, garnering 29 of the 36 first-place votes. It's a role Farley and UNI are used to, but not one they really relish.

"Our team is in that role of coming from behind," he said, noting the Panthers won last year's title as an inexperienced underdog.

So he's using last year's first-round playoff loss as a rallying point.

"We're fighting back," he said. "We're fighting back from behind.

"We're going to have to earn everything."

Farley feels very confident - and excited - about an offense led by quarterback Tirrell Rennie, running back Carlos Anderson and wide receiver Jarred Herring.

Rennie gave the Panthers a slightly different look last year, another shifty running threat in the backfield. He rushed for 1,291 yards and passed for 1,543, but had 11 interceptions to just eight touchdowns.

Farley wants to see more in 2011.

"We're looking forward to see how he progresses," Farley said. "We need him to be a great thrower because, ultimately, that will make him a greater runner. We want him to improve his game in the management of our style."

Farley also likes a defense led by preseason all-league picks Ben Boothby, L.J. Fort and J.J. Swain.