UNI defense has led the way in 2 wins, and could keep getting better

CEDAR FALLS - The sixth-ranked Northern Iowa football team got its first win over a ranked opponent Saturday, defeating then-No. 15 Illinois State, 20-10, at the UNI-Dome.

Despite a fast start by its offense, UNI's defense once again led the way to the win, limiting the Redbirds to just 185 yards on 62 plays and only nine first downs.

When it comes to the Panthers' defense continuing to improve, head coach Mark Farley is optimistic, as players like safety Korby Sander - who missed the 2019 season with a knee injury - are still working toward top form after an extended layoff.

'That's the biggest thing for Korby, is to really get back into the rhythm of the game, the speed of the game and being able to adjust his speed to the play of the opponent,” Farley said. 'It's nice to have him out there running around because he knows where he's supposed to be, he knows his assignment and I think each week he's gotten better just because his field awareness is coming back.”

UNI's offense - which scored all 20 of its points against the Redbirds in the first and fourth quarters - had nine of its 14 drives against Illinois State end in a punt or turnover.

Asked if week 3's struggles on offense were related to week 1's, Farley explained how a recent schematic change by the Redbirds was the culprit of their difficulties in the pass and run game.

'There was a lot of pressure. The big thing about Illinois State is since they played that last game in the playoffs against North Dakota State and started pressuring every down, that's what they've kind of hung their hat on. That created problems for us, just because they were getting us in the backfield,” Farley said. 'A lot has to do with what Illinois State was doing.”

Despite its struggles on offense, UNI mustered a game-sealing 24-yard touchdown drive late in the fourth quarter. The Panthers ran on three of the four plays on the drive, including a 13-yard touchdown run by leading rusher Tyler Hoosman.

'He's making critical plays at critical times,” Farley said. 'He's setting up his holes very nicely, and at the same time, once he clears the line of scrimmage and gets to the first contact, he's doing a good job at first contact, as well. We'd just like to have him out there full-time if we can get him out there full-time.”

UNI (2-1) enters its week 4 matchup at Southern Illinois (2-1) largely unscathed from Saturday on the injury front. Wide receiver Isaiah Weston (undisclosed) remains questionable after not playing last week, but the position got a boost from an earlier-than-projected return from Logan Wolf. Meanwhile, Farley said center Erik Sorenson could return this week while quarterback Nate Martens and linebackers Jake McLaughlin and Cam Baker are expected to return.