Panthers Travel to Western Illinois

Saturday, March 27

Macomb, Ill.

11 a.m.

University of Northern Iowa

Western Illinois

Panthers Travel to Western Illinois

3/25/2021 1:48:00 PM | Football

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UNI is 2-3 on the season and in Valley play after a 10-6 loss to Missouri State. UNI travels to Macomb, Illinois to play Western Illinois at Hanson Field. The Leathernecks are 0-4 on the year, but bring the best passing offense in the MVFC to the table. The game is scheduled for 11 a.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN+ as the Missouri Valley Game of the Week. The game was originally scheduled for 7 p.m. but was moved up earlier this week.

• Starting quarterback Will McElvain was ruled out because of COVID protocols on Friday and the Panther offense struggled to find its footing without his presence. The UNI defense held Missouri State to 236 yards and 10 points, but UNI failed to find the endzone and dropped the 10-6 loss.

• WIU is 0-4 on the year with losses to Missouri State, South Dakota State, North Dakota and Illinois State.

• The UNI defense has been dominant. The Panthers went 10 quarters without allowing an offensive TD and lead the Valley in points per game and yards per game despite facing three top-15 teams. UNI leads the league in total defense, scoring defense and are second in pass defense.

• Six Panthers earned Preseason All-MVFC honors. Will McElvain, Isaiah Weston, Jared Brinkman, Omar Brown, Bryce Flater and Matthew Cook earned honors. Weston Brinkman and Brown earned Athlon Spring Preseason All-American honors and Weston and Brinkman earned HERO Sports Spring Preseason All-American Honors. Hero Sports also named Brinkman and Weston the best returning players in the MVFC at their position.

• Mark Farley is the winningest coach in UNI and Missouri Valley Football History and the 10th coach in FCS history with 150 FCS victories. The win against Youngstown State was his 100th MVFC win.

• The Panthers and the rest of the Valley are scheduled to play eight regular-season games. UNI hosts four teams, three of the opponents that make their way to the UNI-Dome, SDSU, NDSU and Illinois State, were ranked in the top-10 in the FCS STATS Preseason Poll.