GATEWAY YSU faces tall task at UNI
The Panthers have won seven in a row and are ranked No. 6 in the nation.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Things have been going well for the Northern Iowa Panthers this season.
The Panthers lost a hard-fought, 17-10 decision to Iowa State in the season opener, and have won seven straight games, including four straight in the Gateway Conference.
UNI will play host to Youngstown State Saturday in the UNI-Dome, where the Panthers are 3-0 this season. Game time is 5:05 p.m.
"We started the season out well and it has just continued," said Northern Iowa coach Mark Farley, who is in his third season. "We are very pleased with where we are right now."
He should be. The Panthers are tied with Southern Illinois for first place in the Gateway standings with 4-0 records, but Farley said his team has a difficult stretch coming up.
"We have our work cut out for us," he said. "After Youngstown, we play at Western Kentucky and then finish at home against Southern Illinois."
Ranked No. 6
The Panthers are ranked No. 6 in this week's Sports Network Division I-AA poll, and are coming off a 38-30 victory at Western Illinois.
One of the reasons for the Panthers' success has been junior quarterback Tom Petrie.
The 6-foot-3, 214-pound signal caller has completed 84 of 155 passes for 1,184 yards and 11 touchdowns, while being intercepted just four times. He threw four touchdown passes last week.
But the Panthers aren't one-dimensional on offense.
Petrie has four receivers who have caught at least 10 passes, led by flanker Marlus Mays, who has 18 receptions for 311 yards and three touchdowns. Split end Eddie Galles has 14 receptions for 309 yards and one TD.
Ground attack
Terrance Freeney, a 5-10, 202 sophomore, has rushed for 941 yards on 197 carries and 11 touchdowns, while Richard Carter (5-4, 178), a junior speedster, has 472 yards on 99 carries and three touchdowns.
UNI has an experienced offensive line led by senior tackle Ben Deike (6-4, 282) and senior guard Ross Bohner (6-4, 283).
The defense has been outstanding this season, especially against the run. The Panthers are second in the Gateway allowing just 104.4 yards per game.
"We've got some good personnel on defense and they have been playing good football," said Farley. "We're just playing as a team very well this year."
UNI also leads the Gateway in turnover margin (plus-13); it has forced 22 turnovers while losing just nine.
Freshman cornerback Dre Dokes leads the Panthers with four interceptions, while senior cornerback Benny Sapp has two.
Tough in UNI-Dome
The Panthers are also tough to beat in the UNI-Dome, where they are 135-34-1 since they began playing there in 1976.
Farley says the Panthers are not taking Youngstown State lightly.
"We have great respect for the entire Youngstown State program," he said. "They are always a sound defensive team and they have two very athletic quarterbacks and a big offensive line. We're also very impressed with their young running back, [Josh] Cayson.
This will be the 18th meeting between the teams, dating to 1978, and the Panthers hold an 11-6 advantage. YSU lost to the Panthers last season 22-7 at Stambaugh Stadium, and are 2-4 against them since joining the Gateway in 1997. YSU's last win at the UNI-Dome was in 1999 (29-20).
mollica@vindy.com