Panther Football Plays UC Davis in FCS Second Round

GAME NOTES | TV:ESPN3 | WATCH | Radio: Panther Sports Network | LIVE STATS

THE GAME
UNI travels to UC Davis for the first meeting of the programs' histories and the first appearance in the FCS Playoffs ever for UC Davis, a former NCAA DII power.

The Panthers are coming off a win over Lamar that saw two Panthers pick up 100 yards rushing in a game since the 2015 season. UNI also forced four turnovers to hold on for the win. The Panthers have one of the top turnover margins in the country at No. 7 and No. 20 in scoring defense. The UNI defense has also scored four touchdowns this season.

UNI is making its 23rd post-season appearance and the 20th trip to the FCS playoffs. Davis is making its 19th postseason appearance, but the first since making the move to Division I. The last appearance for the Aggies was in 2002. Davis is 9-2 on the season and shared the Big Sky title with a 7-1 league record.

UC Davis is one of the nation's most potent offense under former Colorado and Boise State coach Dan Hawkins. The Aggies throw the ball at a high level. UCD is ranked seven in total offense, third in passing offense and sixth in scoring offense at 42.2 points per game. The only games that the Aggies didn't score 40 points in were a 59-20 loss to Eastern Washington and a 30-10 loss to Stanford.

Jake Maier won Big Sky Conference Offensive Player of the Year honors after throwing for 3,387 yards and 31 touchdowns with just six interceptions. One of the FCS' biggest NFL prospects, Keelan Doss has 100 catches for 1,054 and nine touchdowns, his second 1,000-yard season in a row.

Mason Moe leads Davis with 66 total tackles, 16.0 tackles for loss and three interceptions.

Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT.

NEED TO KNOW
• The Panthers are receiving votes in both the FCS Stats poll FCS Coaches' Poll.
• Running back Marcus Weymiller, offensive tackle Cal Twait, quarterback Eli Dunne and linebacker Duncan Ferch were announced as captains for the 2018 season by head coach Mark Farley.
• Over his 18 seasons at UNI, head coach Mark Farley has amassed a 56-10 mark in November. Farley has gone undefeated during November 10 times (2001, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017) while having a losing record once during the month (2002).
• According to Massey computer rankings, UNI has the toughest schedule among FCS schools. Massey has the Panthers as No. 1 ranked strength of schedule in the FCS. Sagarin, who does just Division I rankings and doesn't distinguish between FBS and FBS, has UNI rated as the 116th toughest schedule overall.
• This is the first meeting in the history of the two programs.
• The Panthers are 4-0 when scoring a defensive touchdown. Two of the defensive scores came from Duncan Ferch. His pick-six is the fourth of his career which ties Deiondre' Hall (2012-15) for the UNI career record. The Panthers are now tied for second in the FCS and first in the MVFC in defensive touchdowns scored. Against Indiana State, Ferch scored on a pick-6, against South Dakota, Brawntae Wells recovered a fumble in the end zone and Saturday Xavior Williams returned an interception 30 yards for a touchdown.
• UNI tallied consecutive shutouts for the first time since 2008 with wins over Hampton and Indiana State. The Panthers went nine quarters without giving up a point.
• The Panthers shut out three opponents in one season for the first time since the 1971 season. That year, the Panthers shut out South Dakota (8-0), Drake (28-0) and Morningside (21-0).
• Eli Dunne is 197-333 (59.2 percent) on the season for 2,311 yards and 18 touchdowns. He has thrown just six interceptions on the season. In conference play, he was even more efficient, throwing 150-241 (62.2 percent) for 1,789 yards and 12 touchdowns.
• Special Teams have shined for the Panthers. UNI has yet to allow a blocked punt or field goal this season. UNI is 13th in the FCS in Kickoff Return Defense and 25th in Net Punting. Austin Errthum leads the Valley in field goals with 18 and has the highest percentage at 85.7 percent (18-21) of teams with over 10 attempts. He also leads the conference in kickoff average (63.7 YPK), Net (41.7 YPK) and touchbacks (42).
• Korby Sander was named the MVFC Defensive Player of the Week for racking up 13 tackles, a forced fumble and an interception against Missouri State.
• Austin Errthum earned MVFC Player of the Week honors for hitting four field goals and picking up six touchbacks against Illinois State.
• Duncan Ferch was named the MVFC Defensive Player of the Week after notching 13 tackles and three pass breakups against South Dakota State.
• Cal Twait was named the Missouri Valley Conference Lineman of the Week after leading the Panther O-line unit in a dominant performance over Indiana State.
• Deion McShane was named the MVFC Newcomer of the Week after picking up seven catches for 117 yards and a touchdown against Hampton.
• The game is the will be broadcast on ESPN3.

UNI PLAYOFF NOTES
• This season, UNI became just the third team to surpass the 20 mark in total appearances. Joining Montana (23) and Eastern Kentucky (21).
• The Panthers have played more games in the FCS playoffs (42) than every other team with exception of Montana (55).
• The Panthers have more FCS playoff appearances in the field than any other team in this year's field. Delaware is second with 16 and James Madison is third with 15.
• Of the top-20 teams in all-time appearances, only five are in this year's bracket. UNI (3rd), Delaware (5th), James Madison (9th), Eastern Washington (10th) and Colgate (19th).
• Mark Farley is making his 11th appearance in the FCS playoffs as a head coach and the fourth in five years.
• Farley has a 15-10 record in the FCS Playoffs.
• His last loss to a non-MVFC school in the playoffs was on Dec. 9, 2011, against Montana.
• He is 3-2 all-time against Big Sky Schools in the playoffs.
• The Panthers improved the UNI-Dome Postseason Record to 19-5 after the win over Lamar.

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Panther Football Plays UC Davis in FCS Second Round

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Players Mentioned

Eli Dunne

Austin Errthum

Duncan Ferch

Deion McShane

Korby Sander

Cal Twait

Brawntae Wells

Marcus Weymiller

Xavior Williams

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