Farley 'very pleased' with UNI progress

CEDAR FALLS — Northern Iowa Coach Mark Farley was pretty succinct with how he reacted to his Panthers' performance — particularly in the first half — late Saturday night at Cal Poly.

Did he — or really anyone — expect the Panthers to shut down the Mustangs the way they were able to?

'No,' Farley said through a smile and to laughter at his weekly press luncheon.

The final numbers from UNI's 34-20 win in San Luis Obispo, Calif. against No. 17 Cal Poly — much like against Eastern Washington — didn't spell domination for the Panthers. The Mustangs ran for 350 yards in 67 team carries by the end of the game, which left them above their average this season so far.

But the way in which UNI was able to control the game in the opening two quarters was a surprise given how Cal Poly had run all over Montana and Arizona State in the weeks before that.

Farley wanted to get to the bye week to have a better sense of his team and set some things in stone. With how the Panthers have played en route to this 2-1 start, he may not have seen these exact performances coming, but he's not arguing with them either.

'I'm very pleased with our entire team to this point. Where we're at as a football team right now coming off that first week is really a credit to the whole program. They did a 180 and put us in a great position headed into the open date,' Farley said. 'I think our defensive line has been outstanding. I think the play there has been very consistent. I think the linebacker play — in particular this past week — really went to another level for us.

'And the secondary — to have any kind of rush defense, your play-action pass has to be covered down field — and right now those are the plays we're making. We have to be able to defend with the front and they have to be disciplined in the passing game, and we've done that. As a group, I'm very pleased with where we're playing and the level we're playing on defense.'

Like in the Eastern Washington game, UNI kept Cal Poly to a one-dimensional team. The Eagles were non-existent in the run while they passed all day, and the Mustangs were non-existent in the passing game.

What's more, the Panthers were able to force three turnovers overall and turned Cal Poly away on downs in the UNI red zone in both of its first two drives of the second half.

Those drives in particular were an example of how mentally strong the Panthers were in making the trip. Farley said Monday at his luncheon the trip and its logistical challenges were a silent concern last week, but that his players put those to rest with emphasis.

'Going into it, we didn't talk about it, but it was a tough trip. We knew it, we just wanted to make the best out of the hand we were dealt. And we did. Our players went out there very focused and very intent,' Farley said. 'We had that sense Friday night of the Hawaii feeling (from the trip last year). There was concern going into the game at 7:30 at night — 9:30 our time. To come out the way we did, the focus our team had and the discipline we had to play was just a credit to the players on the purpose they had on that trip.

'Overall the focus and the purpose was at the level it needed to be in that game.'

The UNI defense is giving up an average of 151 yards per game on the ground and 278.67 yards per game through the air, and has forced six turnovers (three each of fumbles and interceptions).

Those numbers aren't where they want them to be on paper, but more important than just a number on a sheet is how Farley feels like the unit has grown. Being able to control the last two games while working in so many new players in bigger roles this season has impressed everyone involved.

Farley believes that bodes well for what's to come.

'I always expect everyone to be at their best right from the get-go. But to be tested the way we've been tested is probably what's most intriguing about this,' Farley said. 'We've been tested with what I feel is one of the best execution of these (two) styles of offense. Last week was the rush, two weeks ago in the passing game. We came out feeling good about our production and our performance.

'This opens the door to what we can be going forward off the open date. Can we make the progress we need to make this week to still get better? We've been tested by very good teams, but there's better coming.'

UNI is off this week before going on the road to Illinois State on October 3 in Normal, Ill.

l Comments: (319) 368-8884; jeremiah.davis@thegazette.com