UNI football hopes to put all the pieces together

The pieces are in place for another outstanding football season at the University of Northern Iowa.

The defending Missouri Valley Football Conference champion Panthers return a quarterback in Tirrell Rennie who ranked fourth in the league last fall in rushing (1,291 yards), passing efficiency (134.9 rating) and total offense (2,817 yards).

They return a running back/kick returner in Carlos Anderson who just missed the 1,000-yard mark at 974, but ranked second in all-purpose yards with 1,810.

Wide receiver Jarred Herring also is back after catching a team-best 31 passes for 549 yards and also is coming off a successful track season.

The offensive line is anchored by a pair of Cedar Rapids seniors in Jay Teply from Xavier and Kaleb Admire of Jefferson.

"We've got enough pieces to the puzzle," said Mark Farley, entering his 11th season as head coach of his alma mater.

The defense isn't too shabby, either.

Lineman Ben Boothby has been named to about every preseason All-America team after leading the MVFC in tackles for loss with 16 last year and is the "kind of kid you want raising the banner for your school."

Linebacker L.J. Fort ranked ninth in the league last year with 92 tackles and defensive back Andre Martin is coming off a five-interception season. Fellow defensive back J.J. Swain is a preseason all-league pick and lineman August Hadenfledt of Solon was named a captain.

"The front seven are all seniors," Farley said. "That experience should stand out."

Throw in punter Kyle Bernard, who ranked second last year at 42.4 yards a boot, and you have the makings of another league and playoff contender.

"We need to just compete against each other," Farley said, adding he's lining up the No. 1 offense against the No. 1 defense and letting them go at it right now. "You want them to be healthy, but you also want them be tough.

"There's still a lot to learn."

About the only outward learning area is the kicking game.

"We'll have to find a kicker in camp," Farley said, mentioning former Cedar Rapids Kennedy prep Tyler Sievertsen. "We're looking forward to seeing how that position unfolds."

The progress of Rennie, however, holds the key. A two-time junior college All-American at Ellsworth, Rennie needs to be as good a passer as he is a runner. Last year he passed for a respectable 1,543 yards, but had 11 interceptions and just eight touchdown passes.

Farley said he should have a better grasp of the UNI offense after his second spring and summer workout sessions.

"He can throw, he just needs to know where to look," Farley said. "That takes experience, that takes repetition.

"I expect him to be a much better player."

Farley doesn't expect him to be a straight drop-back passer, however.

"I don't want him to be out there worrying about being a robot," he said. "Let him play."

The Panthers open the season Sept. 3 at Iowa State, then head to Stephen F, Austin before a week off and opening the home schedule against Western Illinois on Sept. 24.

"This season they better be tough," Farley said. "There is no light team on this schedule."