Senior day surfaces emotions for UNI football

CEDAR FALLS — There's an undeniable spark behind the Northern Iowa football team's defense.

Every good defense has a mix of characters: the leader (Brett McMakin), the 'I let my work do the talking' (Isaac Ales, Tim Kilfoy), the youth (Jared Farley, Karter Schult) and the personality. Defensive backs Deiondre Hall and Makinton Dorleant have long been the personality.

As Senior Day against Southern Illinois dawns on the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls, the number of snaps Panther fans have left to see those characters is down to around 100-120 — depending on if No. 15 UNI (6-4, 4-3 Missouri Valley Football Conference) makes the playoffs and hosts a first-round game.

Just 100 or so more times for fans to see Hall knock down or intercept a pass, then jump into the waiting arms of a defender, letting everyone in earshot know who just made the play. Just 100 or so more times for fans to see Dorleant make a tackle in space or break up a route, then not-so-subtly inform that offensive player of his failure.

'They're like that every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday,' said Coach Mark Farley. 'They're fun to be around. They're fun to practice with. We've had to corral them a few times and a few situations, but that's fine.

'To me, that's what you want. You want guys right on the edge, playing the game with a lot of passion, fun and aggressiveness. They're all of that, the two of them. It's been fun to watch them play. Hopefully we can finish as strong as they've played for us over the years.'

The weight of this potentially being their last game at the UNI-Dome isn't lost on Hall.

The future and what's out there is a heavy burden to hold — even if it might be in the NFL for him or a few others on defense — and pondering it now is a bit of a frightful proposition.

Emotions run at near-maximum levels for Hall regardless, but Saturday will push it to the limit, most likely.

'It's bittersweet, really, knowing this is our last guaranteed go-round. I think it'll be a real special day,' Hall said. 'I'm sure (emotions will) run pretty high. Knowing this is my last guaranteed football game. It's scary.

'All the years of playing sports, to know that throughout all your collegiate career, this is your last guaranteed, for-sure game that counts, that matters in life — just to know that, not even speaking on next level or adventures in life — just to know that is a scary feeling. It's a blessing to be able to get this far.'

Hall, Dorleant and Kilfoy represent three players who have spent the last three seasons together and have provided the Panthers' defense the leeway to get after the quarterback and opposing runners with reckless abandon. Dorleant transferred in from Maryland, but the way they all gelled, it's like he was at UNI from the start.

In their careers and through 10 games this season, they've not only been the emotional spark, but a productive one. Hall has 222 career tackles, 14.5 for loss, 13 interceptions, 13 pass breakups and 26 passes defended. Dorleant, who is only listed as 'probable' to play by Farley, has 120 career tackles, four for loss, 22 pass breakups and 23 passes defended. Kilfoy has 176 career tackles, 7.5 for loss, seven interceptions, eight pass breakups and 15 passes defended.

Those three in the secondary, plus every other senior on the defense have one more shot to keep the season alive and — if the FCS Playoff committee sees fit — possibly earn one more game in the UNI-Dome.

'I think we're one of a kind, this defense. Just the connection us as a secondary has as a whole, I think that's really special,' Hall said. 'We all pretty much came in together. Mak transferred in, but he's pretty much been with us the whole time. Just being out on the field and even off the field with Kilfoy and Makinton, and Edwin (Young), too, it just makes you happy. For everyone in the crowd or stands to see that, it means a lot to me, for sure.'

UNI and Southern Illinois kick off at 4 p.m. in the UNI-Dome.

BARKEMA SUSPENDED

Northern Iowa offensive line coach Ben Barkema was suspended indefinitely Friday from all team-related activities following an arrest Thursday night on suspicion of operating a vehicle while intoxicated. UNI officials said they would have no further comment at this time.

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