Panthers to entertain struggling Sycamores

By TRAVIS HINES
Northern Iowa has already played the part of David this season. This week they shift to the role of Goliath.

UNI was a heavy underdog heading into its season-opener against Iowa, but the odds may be even longer for Indiana State against the Panthers on Saturday in the UNI-Dome.

The Sycamores (0-5, 0-2 Missouri Valley Football) are the less-than-proud owners of a 31-game losing streak and have gone winless in four complete seasons. For their last win, you have to go all the way back to Oct. 2, 2004, when they defeated Illinois State.

And the Detroit Lions thought they had a losing streak.

Northern Iowa (3-1, 1-0) wouldn't appear to be the most gracious of hosts this weekend. The Panthers, currently ranked third in the FCS, have outscored their opponents 131-14 since losing to the Hawkeyes in Week 1. They had put 124 straight points on their opponents before Missouri State scored with 7 seconds remaining in the game last week.

UNI boasts one of the top defenses in the country, allowing just under eight points per contest - good for second in among FCS schools. They are also among the top-10 in yardage allowed, surrendering just 238 yards of total offense per game this season.

The defense is lead by defensive end James Ruffin, who ranks third in career tackles for loss in UNI history with 33.5. He's just 3.5 away from tying Matt Mitchell for the school record.

None of that bodes well for a Sycamore squad that has been outscored 100-0 the last three weeks. Their last points came in a Week 2 loss to Louisville.

And Indiana State will also be forced to handle a UNI offense that has weapons at every position. Quarterback Pat Grace has already thrown for over 1,000 yards and has nine touchdown tosses. He has thrown just two interceptions and has completed 67 percent of his passes.

Derrick Law and Carlos Anderson man the backfield for the Panthers, where they have combined for 429 yards and two touchdowns through four games. Law set a career mark with 139 rushing yards against St. Francis two weeks ago and Anderson scored his first career touchdown against the Bears last week.

D.P. Eyman and D.J. Hord have three touchdown receptions apiece this season and both have gone for over 250 yards on the year.

But UNI head coach Mark Farley also believes that his receivers have been instrumental in the rushing attack.

"One of the things that's really working well for us is our receivers blocking downfield," Farley said. "If you get a couple blocks downfield, a good pitch guy can outrun the rest."

UNI is averaging 461 yards of total offense this season. The Sycamores have averaged 138 yards per contest.

Despite the streaks and the stats that would point to a UNI rout, Coach Farley is more than aware of the dangers of taking the foot off the gas and losing some momentum.

"If you dare look past today, you can become complacent with where you're at and become neutral," Farley warned of looking past Indiana State.