University of Northern Iowa Athletics
UNI Opens Season at 1-A Iowa State Saturday
9/3/2004 8:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 3, 2004
CEDAR FALLS - THE GAME: UNI vs. IOWA STATE Saturday (Sept. 4) in Ames, IA. Jack Trice Stadium (45,814/Natural Grass) is the site, with kickoff set for 1 p.m. Central. RADIO: You can catch all of UNI's games, home and away, on the UNI Sports Network. KXEL (1540 Waterloo) is the flagship station. Affiliates include KWQC (95.7, 1570 AM Webster City), KGLO (1300 AM Mason City), KPSZ (940 AM Des Moines) and KLMJ (104.9 Hampton). You can also catch all the action on the UNI website at www.unipanthers.com. TELEVISION: The UNI-Iowa State game will not be televised. THE MARK FARLEY SHOW: KFXA-KFXB (Fox 28&40) produces Head Coach Mark Farley's weekly show, which is part preview, part promo and part pep rally. The show is taped each Thursday at 7 p.m. from Peppers Grill and Sports Pub in Cedar Falls. The 12 shows air each Saturday at 11 a.m. The TV voice of the Panthers is Rob Brooks. THE MARK FARLEY CALL-IN SHOW: KXEL, KPSZ, KWQC and KLMJ will carry Coach Mark Farley's call-in show, aired live at 6 p.m. each Thursday from Peppers Grill and Sports Pub in Cedar Falls. The show is hosted by Gary Rima. To participate, call 319-235-1540 locally or 1-800-584-7024. THE SERIES: ISU leads this series, which began in the 1899 season, 16- 3-3. The Cyclones have won three straight games, including last year's season opener, 17-10. Prior to these last three contests, UNI had won two consecutive -- 27-10 in 1992 and 28-14 in 1994. UNI is 3-15-1 in Ames. THE COACHES: UNI head coach Mark Farley (UNI '86) is in his fourth year at the Panther helm with a 26-12 record. Prior to being appointed at UNI, he served as the linebackers assistant and punt block/return specialist at Kansas from 1997-2000. A UNI player from 1983-86 and a co-Gateway Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 1985, he then was a Panther graduate assistant from 1986-88 and a fulltime assistant from 1989-96, coaching linebackers and special teams while also serving as Strength and Speed Coordinator, in addition to Recruiting Coordinator for one year. PRESS LUNCHEONS: UNI head coach Mark Farley or one of his assistants will be available at the weekly Press Luncheons held each Monday at 12 noon in the back room of Pepper's Grill and Sports Pub on 18th Street in Cedar Falls. KXEL (1540 Waterloo) will re-play the Luncheon at 5 p.m. each Monday. Otherwise, the best time to reach Coach Farley is between 11 a.m. and 12 Noon weekdays. Phone 319-273-5674. A GLANCE AT ISU: The Cyclones are coming off a 2-10 2003 record and return 34 lettermen, including 15 starters, from that squad. Top returning players include sophomore quarterback Austin Flynn, who completed 99-of-212 passes with 10 interceptions for 1,238 yards and five TDs last season. He also was the team's third-leading rusher with 124 carries for 396 yards and two TDs. Flynn, however, has been delegated to a backup role in favor of freshman Bret Meyer for the opener. Flynn's top four receivers have graduated, leaving sophomore Stevie Hicks as the top returning catcher with 14 for 40 yards and no scores. Hicks was the leading ground gainer a year ago with 123 carries for 471 yards and no TDs. ISU returns four of its top eight tacklers. Sophomore defensive end Jason Berryman, AP's Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year and ISU's MVP, was the second leading tackler with 61 solo and 49 assisted stops. He also recorded nine tackles for loss, three sacks, had one interception, one deflection, 19 quarterback hurries and one forced fumble. His status for the UNI game, however, is questionable after being suspended from the team indefinitely due to legal problems. Also returning are the third and fourth-leading tacklers in senior linebacker Brandon Brown with 76 solo and 20 assisted tackles to go along with a team-high 12 tackles for loss and three sacks, and junior lineman Nick Leaders with 50 solo and 46 assisted tackles. Punter/kicker, senior Tony Yelk, returns after averaging 41.4 yards on 73 punts last season, and he also made two-of-four field goals with a long of 51. ISU averaged 14.4 points and allowed 36.4 last year. It rushed for 120.7 yards, giving up 216.8, and threw for 176.8, allowing 225.8 yards passing. The Cyclones have been picked to finish last in the North Division of the Big 12 Conference. Besides defeating UNI 17-10 last year, their only other victory was 48-20 over Ohio University in the second game of the year. LAST TIME: Iowa State took a 3-0 lead on a 27-yard field goal with 3:47 left in the first quarter and went on to defeat the Panthers 17-10 last Aug. 30 in Ames, the season opener for both teams. UNI's Brian Stegall tied the game with 1:04 left in the first period on a 44-yard field goal. The Cyclones regained the lead on a 13-yard pass with 12:12 left in the half, but the Panthers answered with a one-yard run by sophomore Terrance Freeney to tie the game with 3:29 remaining before intermission. ISU's game-winning score came on a three-yard run by freshman quarterback Austin Flynn with 2:22 left in the third period. The Panthers attempted a fake punt on a fourth-and-nine with 6:07 left in the game with punter Cory Henke throwing a pass intended for senior corner Benny Sapp, which was just off the mark. UNI's last possession began with 43 seconds in the game. Quarterback Tom Petrie rushed 12 yards to the UNI 46, completed a six-yard pass to the ISU 48, then completed a pass to Marlus Mays for no gain. His last pass to Mays on a fourth-and-four was dropped and ISU ran out the clock. Petrie completed 21-of-32 passes with no interceptions for 142 yards. Freeney, in his first UNI game, ran for 60 yards and the one TD on 21 carries. Mays caught seven passes for 38 yards. The Panthers had four more first downs than ISU and ran off seven more plays while having a 31:40 to 28:20 edge in time of possession, but they were only two-of-14 in third-down conversions while ISU converted four-of-14. UNI gained 261 yards to ISU's 327. Flynn was nine-of-18 passing with one interception for 158 yards and he rushed for 67 yards on 13 carries. COMPARING 2003'S NUMBERS: UNI ISU Scoring Avg. 30.0 14.4 Rushing Avg. 212.6 120.7 Passing Avg. 182.1 176.8 Tot. Off. Avg. 394.7 297.5 Fumbles/Lost 19/12 23/9 Penalties/Yds 73/621 68/592 Top Returning Individuals: Rush: UNI--Freeney 304-1261, 16 TDs ISU--Hicks 123-471, 0 TDs Pass: UNI--Petrie 163-293-7, 2357 yds,18 TDs ISU--Flynn 99-212-10, 1238 yds, 5 TDs Rec: UNI--Carter--21-210, 0 TDs ISU--Hicks 14-40, 0 TDs Def: UNI--Johnson 37 UT, 56 AT, 10 PBUs ISU--Berryman 61 UT, 49 AT, 19 QBH SEASON OPENERS: UNI is 53-45-7 in season openers dating back to 1895. The Panthers lost at Iowa State last year, 17-10, in the seaason opener for both teams. Before that, UNI had won four straight openers after losing 66-0 at 1-A Iowa in 1997. PLAYING THE BIG BOYS: The Panthers have had some success against teams designated 1-A. Most of the success has come in the last 17 years, with an 8-12 mark against 1-A teams since 1985. ASSESSING 2004: Here is a capsule look at the 2004 Panthers by position. Quarterback: The Panthers return three-year starter Tom Petrie, the only quarterback in camp with any collegiate experience for the second year in a row. Backing him up are several redshirt freshmen. Petrie, an honorable mention all-conference pick in 2003, has started 27 games in his career and sports an 18-9 mark in that role. He started all 13 games in 2003, completing 163-of-293 passes with just seven interceptions for 2,357 yards and 18 TDs. He has thrown a total of 26 TDs in his career and has rushed for four scores. He ranked 23rd in 1-AA last year in passing efficiency and 47th in total offense. His most productive game was against second ranked Southern Illinois when he completed 28-of-40 passes with no interceptions for 422 yards and three TDs. He enters the 2004 season as 1-AA's 19th active career leader in passing attempts (691), 17th active career leader in interceptions (27), 16th leader in total offensive plays (956) and total offense yards (5,679), 20th active career leader in total offensive yards per game (177.5), and is tied as the 13th active career leader in two-point conversions attempted (7). Offensive Line: The Panthers lost first team all-conference and all-American tackle Ben Deike and starting guard Ross Bohner to graduation. Returning are starting center John Schabilion and starting tackle Luke Stigler. Sophomore guard Tyler Rawlins started the last nine games and senior tackle Doug Wilkinson replaced the injured Bohner in the lineup at Delaware in the final game of the year. Running Backs: The Panthers return both Terrance Freeney and Richard Carter in the backfield. Freeney was named first team all-conference as a sophomore, with just one year in the Purple and Gold, while being selected the league's Newcomer of the Year. He started 11-of-12 games played, carrying the ball 304 times for 1,261 yards and 16 TDs. He ranked 26th in 1-AA in rushing, 17th in scoring and 62nd in allpurpose running and was a candidate for the Walter Payton Award, given to the top 1-AA offensive player. He set school records for rushing attempts in a season and yards gained rushing in a season, and tied a mark for number of TDs. Carter started three-of-13 games and carried the ball 152 times for 859 yards and four scores. He also was the third-leading receiver with 21 catches for 210 yards and returned 14 kicks for a 20.5 average. He ranked 73rd in the nation in rushing and all-purpose running. Also returning is senior fullback/tailback Jim Lizzi who rushed for 184 yards and two TDs on 25 carries and sophomore tailback Lester Allen, who saw action in just two contests. Returning at fullback is senior Reggie Brown, a hard-nosed player tied in to the strength of the tight ends.Redshirt freshman Matt Garvin will back up Brown. Wide Receivers/Tight Ends: The Panthers made great use of their tight ends last season. Iowa transfer, senior Andy Thorn, was an honorable mention all-conference choice after starting nine of-13 games and catching 17 passes for 190 yards and four TDs.Junior Brian Cutright started seven-of-13 games and caught six passes for 91 yards, including a key TD reception at Illinois State that helped swing the game in the Panthers' favor. UNI graduated its top two receivers in Eddie Galles and Marlus Mays. Galles, a second team allconference pick, stepped up huge in his senior year, catching 42 passes for 804 yards and four TDs. He ranked 84th in 1-AA in receiving yards per game. He caught a school- and conference-record 16 passes against Southern Illinois. Mays, slowed by a hamstring injury much of the year, still caught 30 passes for 493 yards and five TDs. He was one of four UNI players selected for the inaugural 1-AA College Football All-Star Classic which eventually was cancelled due to financial difficulties by the sponsoring Football Network. UNI does return the next five leading receivers in Richard Carter, Thorn, Jason Breeland, Curt Bradley and Justin Surrency. Bradley caught 10 passes for 128 yards and one TD as a freshman, and Surrency nine passes for 90 yards and one score as a sophomore. Bradley was recuperating from shoulder surgery during spring ball. In addition,sophomore James Lindgren, who played in nine games in 2003, needs to be included in the returning group who has a shot at significant playing time.Redshirt freshmen Anthony Dubek-Trolio and Araf Evans also will compete. Linebackers: The Panthers lose two quality linebackers in Jonathan Harrell and Casey Tierney. Harrell, a second team all-conference pick who played in the Blue-Gray All-Star Classic, was the team's third-leading tackler in 11 games played, recording 91 stops and four fumble recoveries. Tierney started all eight games played and was credited with 64 tackles, including eight for loss. Senior Danny Triplett, listed at one outside position, started four games and made 44 stops. On the other side, part-time starter Titus Ivory may move back into the starting lineup after starting seven games in 2002. He had 20 tackles in two-of-13 starts a year ago.On the inside, junior Darin Heideman started six-of-13 games due to injuries in 2003 and recorded 56 tackles, while sophomore Ross Hannam saw mostly special teams play a year ago in nine games. Junior Justin Overman played in just three games last year before being sidelined with a severe knee injury and did not see contact in spring ball. Defensive Line: The Panthers return starting end Ryan Arnold and tackles Justin Heins and Kevin Stensrud, but graduated end Matt Mitchell, a first team all-conference choice and all-American who was the team's fourth leading tackler with 89 stops, including a team-high nine sacks and 15 tackles for loss. Arnold started all 13 games and recorded 77 tackles, including seven sacks. He led the squad with six forced fumbles while also recovering two fumbles and deflecting eight passes. Stensrud was credited with 46 tackles, including four sacks and 12 tackles for loss, in 12-of-13 starts, while Heins started eight games and recorded 24 tackles. Junior John Hermann is listed as Mitchell's replacement. He played in all 13 games a year ago and was credited with 19 tackles. Farley has high hopes for redshirt freshman Jordan Lacy and sophomore Joe Lobdell. Secondary: The Panthers lost leading tackler Justin Sandy and all-around athlete Benny Sapp. Sandy tied with returning strong safety Tyler Johnson for the team lead with 93 total tackles, had nine deflections and three interceptions. Sandy was a selection for the 1-AA College Football All-Star Classic,played in the Blue-Gray All-Star Classic and was a first team all-conference choice. Sapp, also a first team allconference pick and 1-AA All-Star Classic selection, played both sides of the ball in addition to returning kicks. He was credited with 48 tackles, including 38 solos, had a team-high 19 deflections and grabbed two interceptions. He caught seven passes for 147 yards and two TDs, and averaged 24.9 yards on 17 kick returns, ranking 27th in 1-AA. Possible replacements include sophomore Alphonso Key at left corner and senior James Idleburgh at free safety. Key played in all 13 games, recording nine tackles primarily on special teams, while Idleburgh had 36 stops in 13 games while playing the nickel. Johnson started all 13 contests and had four fumble recoveries and 10 deflections to go along with his 93 tackles. True freshman Dre Dokes also started all 13 games, recording 53 tackles, three deflections and a team-high four interceptions. Other returning players include seniors Raishaun Henderson and Tom Berlin, sophomore Ryan Manahl and redshirt freshman Nick Alavarez. Sophomore Matt Tharp may surface here or at one outside linebacker position, while Tanner Varner transfers from Ellsworth Community College. 2004 SCHEDULE: UNI's 2003 schedule was ranked the 15th toughest in 1-AA and Coach Farley believes the 2004 slate could be tougher than last year. The competition includes four 1-AA playoff teams in Southern Illinois, Western Kentucky, Western Illinois and Northern Arizona, in additon to 1-A Iowa State for the second consecutive season. Add in 1-AA power Stephen F. Austin, and the business at hand doesn't get any easier. Last year's tough schedule landed UNI no. 3 on the 1-AA.org Final Gridiron Power Index behind Delaware and Colgate. Tony Moss, former Executive Director of 1-AA Football for the Sports Network, has tagged UNI's 2004 schedule the 10th toughest this season. "Panthers should escape September 2-1, but a trip to Flagstaff looms after what figures to be a difficult conference season," he said. LOOKING BACK AT 2003: 2003 was the 11th trip to the NCAA 1-AA playoffs for UNI's football program. The previous appearance was in 2001,when the Panthers advanced to the semifinals for the fifth time. The Panthers have lost to the eventual national champion in three of those five semifinal appearances. UNI is 10-2 at home in the 1-AA playoffs after defeating Montana State 35-14 in 2003's first round and it is 2-9 on the road after losing 37-7 at Delaware in the quarterfinals last year. CONFERENCE DOMINANCE: Since the Gateway Football Conference was founded in 1985, UNI has won or shared 11 league titles. The Panthers won the title outright in 1985 (5-0), 1987 (6-0), 1991 (5-1), 1992 (5-1), 1993 (5-1), 1994 (6-0), 1996 (5-0), and in 2001 (6-1). Titles were shared in 1990 with Southwest Missouri State (5-1), in 1995 with Eastern Illinois (5-1) and this past year with Southern Illinois (6-1). In those seasons when UNI shared the title, the Panthers received the league's automatic bid to the playoffs in 1990 by virtue of their 20-17 win over SMS, in 1995 with their victory over EIU 17-7, and in 2003 because of their 43-40 win over SIU. FREENEY NAMED TO PAYTON WATCH LIST: UNI tailback Terrance Freeney has been named to the 2004 Walter Payton Award watch list for the second consecutive season. The 2004 list was announced Monday and he's one of 32 athletes named to the Payton or Buck Buchanan lists. Freeney was added to the revised Walter Payton Award "watch list" about midway through the 2003 season. Just a sophomore, he finished 14th of 17 candidates with 26 points in the final voting, including one first-place vote. The Walter Payton Award, now in its 18th year of existence, is given to the top offensive player in 1-AA. WHO ARE THESE GUYS?: Occupying the Panthers' three receiver spots are several unfamiliar names heading into Saturday's opener at Iowa State. Tagged to start at one spot is sophomore walk on James Lindgren and backing him up is Iowa Central Community College transfer Ben Spellman. On the other side is junior Justin Surrency, who caught nine passes for 90 yards a year ago. He will be backed up by freshman Joseph "J.R." Thomas. Junior Jason Breeland has been switched from running back to a wide receiver position to help fill the gap left with the graduation of 2003 leaders Eddie Galles and Marlus Mays, and he will be backed up by sophomore Curt Bradley, who played in all 13 games last season, catching 10 passes for 128 yards. YOUNG BLOOD: The first UNI depth chart released Monday shows seven freshmen amongst the two-deep, including one true freshman in Joseph "J.R." Thomas at wide receiver. Other new faces in the lineup include Iowa Central Community College transfer, senior receiver Ben Spellman; senior defensive tackle Brent Nelson, a transfer from Iowa State; and junior linebacker Brett Koebcke, a transfer from William Rainey Harper Community College. STREAKING: A Gateway team has started conference play 5-0 on 13 occasions (including UNI and Southern Illinois in 2003) and all of the 11 previous teams finished second or better in the league standings. Ten of those 11 earned playoff berths, and 10 won the conference crown. Only twice in league history (1987, 2003) have two teams started 5-0 or better the same year. HIT 'EM HARD AND FAST: The Panthers out-scored their opponents 96-74 in the fourth period and 109-64 in the third period last fall. The Panthers jumped on the opponents early, leading 102-33 in first-quarter points. GROUND ATTACK: With the help of several talented running backs, the Panthers averaged 212.6 yards rushing in 2003. That's the highest average since the 1977 team averaged 223.9 yards on the ground. UNI averaged 182.1 yards through the air last fall. The squad averaged 164.9 yards passing in 2001, the lowest since the Panthers averaged 74.5 through the air in 1979. HOLDING THE BALL: One contributing factor for the Panthers' 5-6 finish in 2002 was turnover margin. They finished the year ranked 117th in turnover margin with a minus-12. Last year, they were plus-10. The opponents threw 12 interceptions and lost 17 fumbles. THE NEW PETRIE: Settling into his role as starter in 2003 after sharing time the two previous seasons with Griff Jurgens,quarterback Tom Petrie completed 163-of-293 passes for a .556 completion percentage, 2,357 yards and 18 TDs with just seven interceptions last year. He had his most productive game against no. 2 Southern Illinois when he completed 28-of-40 passes with no interceptions for 422 yards and three TDs. UNI VERSUS THE TOP 25: The Panthers now own a 45-27 record over teams ranked in the 1-AA Top 25 since 1985 after defeating 11th-ranked Northwestern State, no. 7 Western Illinois, losing 24-3 to 12th-ranked Western Kentucky, defeating no. 2 Southern Illinois 43-40, defeating no. 24 Montana State 35-14, and losing to no. 3 Delaware 37-7 last year. In the final 2003 polls, UNI was ranked fifth in the Sports Network/CSTV top 25 behind Delaware,Colgate, Wofford, and Florida Atlantic. Western Illinois, Western Kentucky, McNeese State, Southern Illinois and Northern Arizona rounded out the top 10. The Panthers were ranked sixth in the ESPN/USA Today poll and ninth in Don Hansen's National Weekly Football Gazette Top 40. UNI dropped out of The Sports Network's Top 25 for the first time Oct. 28, 2002, receiving enough votes to be ranked 32nd, and it never recovered to jump back into the top 25s. This was just the fourth time since 1984 that the Panthers ended the season un-ranked. The other years were 1986, 1988, 1997 and 1998. UNI ON TV: With its 38-30 win at Western Illinois last season, UNI won its fourth straight win on Gateway television. It now is 4-2 overall when shown on the conference package. NON-CONFERENCE SUCCESS: UNI is the only original Gateway member to win at least two non-conference games every year. Including 2002 (3-1) and the four games last season, the Panthers are 86-38 against non-conference teams since 1985. 2003 GAME-BY-GAME HONORS Players of the Week Sept. 1 P Cory Henke Gateway Special Teams Player of the Week Don Hansen National Special Teams Player of the Week Sept. 22 TB Terrance Freeney Gateway co-Offensive Player of the Week The Sports Network co-Offensive Player of the Week DOPKE.com Gateway Conference Performer of the Week 1-AA.org All-Star Don Hansen's National Weekly Football Gazette DE Matt Mitchell Gateway Football Conference Defensive Player of the Week Don Hansen's National Weekly Football Gazette Sept. 29 SS Tyler Johnson Gateway co-Special Teams Player of the Week OT Ben Deike Gateway Offensive Lineman of the Week Oct. 6 RB Terrance Freeney DOPKE.com Gateway Conference Performer of the Week Oct. 13 PK Brian Wingert Gateway Conference co-Special Teams Player of the Week Oct. 20 CB Benny Sapp Gateway Conference Defensive Player of the Week Don Hansen's National Quad-Defensive Player of the Week PK Brian Wingert Gateway Conference Special Teams Player of the Week Don Hansen's National Tri-Special Teams Player of the Week Oct. 27 DE Matt Mitchell Gateway Conference Defensive Player of the Week 1.AA.org All-Star Nov. 3 Team 1-AA.org Team of the Week OT Ben Deike Gateway Conference Offensive Lineman of the Week Nov. 17 WR Eddie Galles Gateway Conference Offensive Player of Week Sports Network Offensive Player of Week 1-AA.org All-Star OG Tyler Rawlins Gateway Conference Offensive Lineman of the Week QB Tom Petrie CSTV.Com Player of the Week UNI IN THE DOME: UNI is 138-34-1 (.801) in the UNI-Dome since the building opened in 1976. The Panthers were 6-0 at home last year and now have a seven-game home win streak dating back to the 2002 season. UNI was 5-1 at home in 2000,losing 44-41 to Western Illinois in the last game of the season, snapping another seven-game home winning streak. The Panthers were 6-0 at home in 2001 and were 3-3 in 2002. They have the best home field winning percentage in the Gateway Conference with a 46-10 record. They have gone undefeated at home in a season seven times since 1990. UNI had a 25-game overall home winning streak heading into the 1992 1-AA semifinal game against Youngstown State, which the Penguins snapped with their 19-7 win. Prior to a Sept. 24, 1994, loss to McNeese State, UNI had won 29 straight regular-season games in the Dome dating back to the 1989 season opener, lost 22-14 to Mankato State. GFC RANKED VERSUS RANKED: There have been 48 times in which two Gateway teams ranked in the top 25 played one another. The home team is 27-21, while the higher-ranked team is 25-23. Thirteen times the meeting involved teams that were both ranked in the top 10.UNI has played in seven of those games when the two teams have been ranked in the top 10, and has a 4-3 record in such contests after defeating seventh-ranked Western Illinois and losing to ninth-ranked Western Kentucky last season. The third-ranked Panthers defeated fifth-ranked Southwest Missouri State in the Dome in 1996, 38-31; no. 3 UNI defeated no. 8 Western Illinois 30-6 at home in 1996, no. 10 Illinois State defeated third-ranked UNI 47-28 in Normal in 1999, and no. 9 Youngstown State defeated no. 6 UNI 29-20 in Cedar Falls in 1999. UNI played six ranked teams in 2001, defeating then second-ranked Youngstown State 30-11 in the Dome, then 12th ranked Western Illinois 17-14 on the road, sixth-ranked Western Kentucky 24-23 on the road, third-ranked Eastern Illinois 49-43 on the road, 16th-ranked Maine 56-28 at home, and lost 38-0 to no. 1 Montana in the 1-AA semifinals. UNI defeated 17th-ranked YSU and lost to eighth-ranked Western Illinois for its only games against ranked foes in 2002. Last season, UNI played five ranked teams, defeating no. 11 Northwestern State, WIU, and Southern Illinois. It lost at 12th-ranked Western Kentucky. SQUEAKERS: When UNI defeated Western Kentucky 24-23 in 2001, it marked just the second time in league history in which there were two one-point decisions on the same day. In all, there have been 27 games decided by one point. UNI has more one-point wins in Gateway games than any other team, and the Panthers are 7-3 in those contests. STILL TOPS IN THE STATE: UNI has been the top Division I program in the state of Iowa since 1985, compiling a 173-68-1 record (.717) heading into this season. UNI's 2001 11-3 record marked the 13th straight season it had won at least seven games. That stretch saw the Panthers compile an impressive 114-44 record. The Panthers finished the decade of the '90s as the fourth-winningest 1-AA program, with 89 victories. OT NO WAY: UNI is 2-4 in overtime games. The Panthers are 1-1 at home in OT. Two of those extra period games were during the 1-AA playoffs, and the Panthers lost both of those games -- 27-21 at Boston University in 1993, and 44-41 at Northeast Louisiana in 1987. HALFTIME LEAD SPEAKS FOR ITSELF: UNI's double overtime loss to Western Illinois in 1997 and the 20-17 loss in overtime to McNeese State in 1998 were the only times in the decade of the '90s when the Panthers surrendered a halftime lead (UNI led WIU 9-0 and MSU 7-0). Prior to that, UNI had a 53-0 regular-season record when leading at the half. UNI led third-ranked Youngstown State on the road, 17-14, at the half in 2000, but went on to fall 28-24 in the last 1:17 of the game. UNI was 8-0 in 2001 when leading at the half and was 4-2 in 2002, losing to Illinois State after leading 17-10 at the half and at Indiana State, 21-19, after leading 10-0 at the break. Last year, UNI was 8-0 when leading at the half. It was tied with Iowa State 10-10 at the half and lost 17-10, led Northern Michigan 27-0 and ended up winning 62-0, trailed Stephen F. Austin 17-10 at the half and won 38-24, led Northwestern State 31-3 at intermission and ended up winning 43-10, trailed Illinois State 7-0 at intermission and came home with a 16-7 victory, led Indiana State at intermission and came away with a 22-14 victory, at Southwest Missouri State led 20-6 at the half and ended up winning 26-20, at Western Illinois, led 17-7 at intermission and won 38-30; against Youngstown State, led 26-3 at the half and won 47-9 and at Western Kentucky, was tied 3-3 and lost 24-3. It led Montana State 14-7 and went on to win 35-14. TURF VS. GRASS: Over the past 11 years, UNI now is 16-17 on natural grass. UNI was 0-4 on natural grass in 1997, 0-1 in 1998, 2-1 in 1999, 1-0 in 2000, 4-1 in 2001 and was 1-2 last year. It is 27-16 on artificial surfaces on the road. LAST TIME IT HAPPENED IN A GAME -- Individual Two Rushed for 100 Yards: Richard Carter (141), Terrance Freeney (113) vs. Youngstown State, 11-1-03 One Rushed for 100 Yards: Terrance Freeney at Western Illinois, 123 yds, 10-25-03 One Rushed for 200 Yards: Terrance Freeney vs. Stephen F. Austin, 249 yds, 9-18-03 Passed for 200 Yards: Tom Petrie vs. Montana State, 207 yds, 11-29-03 Passed for 300 Yards: Tom Petrie vs. Southern Illinois, 422 yds, 11-15-03 Passed for 400 Yards: Tom Petrie vs. Southern Illinois, 422 yds, 11-15-03 Last 300-Yard Total Offense: Tom Petrie vs. Southern Illinois, 452 yds, 11-15-03 Received for 100 Yards: Eddie Galles vs. Montana State, 111 yds, 11-29-03 Received for 150 Yards: Eddie Galles vs. Southern Illinois, 251 yds, 11-15-03 Received for 200 Yards: Eddie Galles vs. Southern Illinois, 251 yds, 11-15-03 Scored 2 TDs Rushing: Terrance Freeney vs. Montana State, 2 TDs, 11-29-03 Scored 3 TDs Rushing: Terrance Freeney vs. Stephen F. Austin, 3 TDs, 9-18-03 Scored 4 TDs Rushing: Adam Benge at Eastern Illinois, 4 TDs, 12-01-01 Scored 2 TDs Receiving: Eddie Galles vs. Southern Illinois, 2 TDs, 11-15-03 Scored 3 TDs Receiving: Marlus Mays vs. Wayne State (MI), 3 TDs, 8-29-02 Scored 4 TDs Receiving: Dedric Ward vs. Western Illinois, 4 TDs, 9-29-95 Kicked 3 Field Goals: Brian Wingert at Southwest Missouri State, 4 FGs, 10-18-03 Kicked 4 Field Goals: Brian Wingert at Southwest Missouri State, 4 FGs, 10-18-03 Kicked 5 Field Goals: MacKenzie Hoambrecker vs. Youngstown State, 5 FGs, 10-19-02 Kicked 50+ Field Goal: MacKenzie Hoambrecker vs. Southwest Missouri State, 59 yds, 11-16-02 Kickoff Return for TD: Ben Sanderson vs. Cal Poly, 87 yds, 11-17-01 Punt Return for TD: Ben Sanderson vs. Wayne State (MI), 51 yds, 8-29-02 2 Punt Returns for TD: Dedric Ward vs. St. Cloud State, 46, 42 yds., 9-7-96 Interception Return for TD: Benny Sapp at Southwest Missouri State, 77 yds, 10-18-03 Fumble Recovery for TD: Ken Harris vs. Youngstown State, 9-29-01 Safety: Panther Team Safety vs. Illinois State, 10-4-03 Intercepted 2 Passes: Benny Sapp at Southwest Missouri State, 10-18-03 Intercepted 3 Passes: Tyree Talton at Iowa, 9-9-95 LAST TIME IT HAPPENED IN A GAME -- Team Rushed for 200 Yards: Nov. 29, 2003, vs. Montana State, 260 yds Rushed for 300 Yards: Nov. 1, 2003, vs. Youngstown State, 377 yds Passed for 200 Yards: Nov. 29, 2003, vs. Montana State, 207 yds Passed for 300 Yards: Nov. 15, 2003, vs. Southern Illinois, 432 yds Passed for 400 Yards: Nov. 15, 2003, vs. Southern Illinois, 432 yds Had 400 Yards Total Offense: Nov 29, 2003, vs. Montana State, 467 yds Had 600 Yards Total Offense: Nov. 1, 2003, vs. Youngstown State, 618 yds Scored 30 Points: Nov. 29, 2003, vs. Montana State, 35 pts Scored 40 Points: Nov. 15, 2003, vs. Southern Illinois, 43 pts Scored 50 Points: Sept. 6, 2003, vs. Northern Michigan, 62 pts Scored 60 Points: Sept. 6, 2003, vs. Northern Michigan, 62 pts Had 3 TDs Rushing: Nov. 29, 2003, vs. Montana State, 3 TDs Had 4 TDs Rushing: Sept. 13, 2003, vs. Stephen F. Austin, 4 TDs Had 5 TDs Rushing: Sept. 6, 2003, vs. Northern Michigan, 7 TDs Had 6 TDs Rushing: Sept. 6, 2003, vs. Northern Michigan, 7 TDs Had 2 TDs Passing: Nov. 15, 2003, vs. Southern Illinois, 4 TDs Had 3 TDs Passing: Nov. 15, 2003, vs. Southern Illinois, 4 TDs Had 4 TDs Passing: Nov. 15, 2003, vs. Southern Illinois, 4 TDs Had 5 TDs Passing: Nov. 11, 2000, vs. Prairie View A&M, 5 TDs Had 6 TDs Passing: Nov. 20, 1999, vs. Southwest State, 6 TDs Had 20 First Downs: Nov. 29, 2003, vs. Montana State, 23 Had 25 First Downs: Nov. 15, 2003, vs. Southern Illinois, 27 Had 30 First Downs: Oct. 28, 2000, vs. Southwest Missouri State, 31 2003 RECORDS (Does not include playoff games until 2002) Individual School Records *Rushing Attempted, Season: 304, Terrance Freeney *Yards Gained Rushing, Season: 1,261, Terrance Freeney *Rushing TDs, Season: 16 (Ties), Terrance Freeney *Passes Caught, Game: 16, Eddie Galles vs. Southern Illinois *Highest Percentage Field Goals Made, Season: .960 (Ties), Brian Wingert *Highest Percentage Field Goals Made Under 40 Yards, Season: 100 (Ties), Brian Wingert *Tackles for Loss, Game: 4 (Ties), Casey Tierney vs. Iowa State; Kevin Stensrud vs. Illinois State Career Defensive Records (Since 2000, Includles Playoff Games Beginning in 2002) *Career Total Tackles: 280, Casey Tierney *Career Total Forced Fumbles: 7, Matt Mitchell *Career Total Solo Tackles: 171, Casey Tierney *Career Total Tackles for Loss: 36, Matt Mitchell *Career Total Tackles for Loss Per Game: 0.8 (Ties), Matt Mitchell *Career Total Pass Sacks: 30, Matt Mitchell *Career Total Pass Sacks Per Game: 0.7, Matt Mitchell *Career total Passes Defended: 37, Benny Sapp Team School Records *Rushing Attempts, Season: 646 *Net Yards Rushing, Season: 2,764 *First Downs Rushing, Season: 147 *First Downs Passing, Game: 20 (Ties), vs. Southern Illinois *Total Offense Attempts, Season: 943 *Most Victories, Season: 10 (Ties) (1985, 1991, 1992, 1996, 2003) UNI-Dome Records *Receptions: 16, Eddie Galles vs. Southern Illinois *Receiving Yards: 251, Eddie Galles vs. Southern Illinois Individual Gateway Conference Records *Receptions: 16, Eddie Galles vs. Southern Illinois *Fumble Recoveries, Season: 4 (Ties), Tyler Johnson School Playoff Records *Least Opponent Rushing Attempts: 21, Montana State LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON: UNI true freshman quarterback Nick Nelson is the son of Panther offensive line coach Rick Nelson. They are just one of four assistant coach/player son combinations known in the country. The other combinations are Boston College defensive line coach Kevin Willis and his son, defensive end Keith Willis; BYU running backs assistant Lance Reynolds and son, center Lance, Jr.; and UNLV defensive line coach Craig Wederquist and son, defensive back Nate. There are four father/son combinations when the father is the head coach and three combinations when the father is head coach and a son is an assistant coach on the same team. INJURY REPORT: The Panthers have experienced numerous nagging injuries throughout preseason camp, but at this point,only two players are expected to miss Saturday's game at Iowa State -- sophomore strong safety Ryan Manahl with a right knee fracture, and freshman tight end Scott Palmer with an ankle sprain. QUOTING FARLEY: UNI head coach Mark Farley had the following comments at Monday's weekly Press Luncheon. "I think we'll go into this game healthy. It looks as though (defensive end) John Hermann will be able to play. He was the only one I was concerned about with a broken finger. It looks as though he will be released in time for this game. We've gone through some struggles throughout two-a-day camp with some injuries, but it's more the nagging kind that just keep guys out of the rotation and limits progress, more of continuity progress. "Yesterday was the first day we had the first unit together. This week will tell a lot about how we pull this thing together. Saturday, we're all going to find out together what kind of football team we have. "Offensively, I don't think there will be any surprises. Tom Petrie will be our quarterback, of course. He has had an exceptional two-a-day camp. I look forward to his senior season. He's one person I've been reluctant to talk about over the years because I didn't want to put the pressure on him, but Tom Petrie is ready to take on the role he has to do right now. A big part of our football team is how Tom plays this year. After that, we have the two running backs in Richard Carter and Terrance Freeney. I'm excited to see how these two respond and to see what kind of level they rise to. I'm very comfortable with our tight ends -- in (Andy) Thorn and (Brian) Cutright, and Beau Gibbs -- what they bring to our football team, the fact that we can add to our passing game as well as our run game. "Defensively, it will be Kevin Stensrud in the front, Justin Overman and Darin Heideman at the two linebackers, and Tyler Johnson in the secondary will basically be the leaders we turn to. That's the test. We have to find out how well we respond and how well we pull this defense together. Special teams-wise, with (Brian) Wingert and (Cory) Henke, our kicker and punter, I feel comfortable going into the football game, yet we cannot be content with what's going on offensively and special teams-wise. "This is a big football game. It is to us, and it is to them. I think there is a lot of momentum which can be generated for either team from this game. We know that we're entering a season where the first four games are critical for our momentum heading into the final seven. We're going to have two seasons. This will definitely set the pace for the first four games, so we need to come out and play well to find out where we are immediately so we can make adjustments if need be right up front. The reality of the situation is, Iowa State is a Big 12 football team. They have the resources that are tenfold from what ours are. We're up against a huge obstacle. I've heard the talk, I've heard the anticipation, the expectations. They've been to three bowl games in the last five years, and we've got our work cut out for us to go to their place and play the kind of game we need to do to create the kind of momentum we need for the first four games. "We had confidence the last time we went down there. I don't think confidence is the issue. The uncertainty of not knowing what to expect is what we're dealing with this year that maybe we weren't last year. There's a new offensive coordinator in Ames, there's a new quarterback coach which gives us the uncertainty of what they're going to do ffensively, yet we had that to our advantage last year. This year that's their advantage on offense. When you have a coaching change, that balances things out, expecially when you don't have any film to guide you. This gives them a huge advantage. We just to make sure we put together a good plan. I've known (ISU offensive coordinator) Barney Cotton since he was at St. Cloud State,and he's a tremendous teacher. "There's no question I expect a better Iowa State football team. You can feel the tension in the words of the players and the coaches. Urgency is probably a better word. When you play a team with a sense of urgency on top of the fact they're the Big 12 and we're the 1-AA, they're representing their league as well as their own football team. I expect them to treat us as they would any opponent in the Big 12, from the players to the coaches. "We have the experience on offense to maybe equalize their 'greeness', as they say they are on defense. At the same time, when you look at their offense, I've seen Bret Meyer play and he's an exceptional athlete. In fact, he's the first one I noticed when I walked on the field last year just warming up because my eyes go to athletes and he's an exceptional looking athlete. The last time I saw him was in the Dome in the (high school) playoff games. Though they may be green, they're very talented. I'm anxious to play, yet at the same time I don't know what we're getting into. This is going to be a very intense football game, there's no question about that. "I think we're better equipped from a personnel standpoint. Last year, the personnel was very, very good as it turned out, but going into it I didn't know that was the kind of personnel we had. From a mental aspect, we will be better prepared (than last year), especially for guys like (Tom) Petrie -- he's going into his third game at Ames. He's very fortunate to get another shot to end his career just as he started his career at Jack Trice. Yet we have some guys that never took part last year. Reggie Brown never played, we had Terrance Freeney who was still an unknown as far as how we were going to use him. We developed our offense as the season went on last year based on personnel and we didn't have the first power in the first game as we did in the last game. In that regard I feel better going into Ames at this time than maybe last year at this time. "The green part of our team is wide receiver. Ben Spellman is a junior college player who's from Des Moines and is an opportunity for him to play in his backyard. Then we have Justin Surrency who maybe isn't a name we know right now in his third season but hopefully will become a name this season. Then we have Jason Breeland who will be playing some receiver for us and James Lindgren, a walk on, who will get his first opportunity to start in this football game."