In conjunction with my writing frustrations, my Panthers decided to lose the next game to Southern Illinois by a score of 20-27. I have a few problems with this game almost every year. First off, scheduling this game for the University of Northern Iowa’s homecoming was a terrible idea. This is the second time it was been done. The reason is that three years ago we beat the living crap out of a winless Illinois State team. We dominated them so quickly, the majority of the second half consisted of both teams running the ball on every down and eventually punting it to the other team. Given the option, I am pretty sure both coaches would have gladly called the game early. The result was the crowd leaving in mass exodus before the end of the third quarter. I understand the importance of a quality game during homecoming. However, I also understand the importance of scheduling a team in which there is a very reasonable chance of beating. While UNI had a good shot at beating Southern Illinois, picking the hardest team on the schedule and the biggest rival is a bad idea. It just so happens that the homecoming crowd is rather mediocre compared to big game crowds. This is due to all the alumni returning and spending the majority of the game talking to the people around them than getting into the game. Now, if the toughest opponent is put a couple weeks after homecoming, an equal crowd will show, but it will be much more intense. In an atmosphere like the UNI-Dome, the difference in impact on the game is huge. We easily could have scheduled a Youngstown State or Western Illinois and expected a decent game. So not only are the chances of losing homecoming reduced, but the probability of winning the most difficult game is increased. Without a doubt, Southern Illinois is the toughest game on the Panther schedule. It has been every year since I began attending the university.
As for the game, it took on a slightly different character than the previous four years I have watched the game. The Salukis are exceptionally familiar with the Panther coaching style. It would seem the opposite should likewise be true, but I have yet to see that present itself. Let me offer this as another opportunity to challenge the gamesmanship of the UNI football coaches. Normally, SIU comes out throwing slants along with spread option running. This year their quarterback was less mobile than in the pass which limited the spread option running. However, their power running game is a beast to rival any defense. As for the slants, my best understanding is the Southern Illinois offensive coordinator preferred to attack the freshmen cornerbacks than the senior-laden linebacker corps. When one stops to think about the fact UNI runs a cover three almost exclusively, it makes sense. The onus of such a defense is on the cornerbacks. They must prevent the wide receivers from going deep while also being able to cover the curls and deep out routes when nothing does go over the top. It is a very difficult task for any defensive back. Yet, coach Mark Farley felt no need to change despite starting two freshmen cornerbacks.
The result was SIU targeted UNI’s #27 Terrell McBride. While I had taken notice of the athleticism in McBride’s complement, #8 Andre Martin, I had not really paid much attention to him until this game. Using a combination of curls, deep outs, posts, flags, and flies, the Salukis repeatedly threw to McBride’s side of the field. By the end of the game, he was obviously guessing at what route would be run at him. The result was wide open receivers making catch after catch, and yet, the Panthers did nothing to aid him despite Farley supposedly being a defensive specialist as I understand. Between the running game and focused passing game, Southern Illinois managed to put up 27 points on a defense which was averaging under 11 points per game.
What about that offense which was averaging just shy of 42 points per game? As mentioned repeatedly on previous games, UNI never established a stable, rhythmic offense. Everything was about obtaining the big play. The nickel-and-dime strategy had no place on the Panther sideline. The coaches rarely called such a game and when they did, quarterback Pat Grace wanted nothing to do with it. The running game struggled as any good team knows to stop the run first. The #7 ranked Salukis at the time were a good team and did just that. The idea then is to get some rhythm in the passing game. Northern Iowa did a good job of picking up some third and longs early on drives. However, everyone knows a team cannot live on third and long. To complement this, UNI constantly called shots to the endzone upon reaching midfield. While it is a great tactic to use occasionally to open up a defense, particularly with a team of UNI’s composition, it will struggle if tried on every drive. To make matters worse, when seam routes should have been called early in the game to attack the SIU defense, we ran a series of deep crossing routes. Later in the game, UNI shifted to seams when SIU began dropping more people to cover such an attack. The result was the Panther offense played right into the Saluki defense. It also left the offense in repeatedly in third and long at midfield. Having used up the good plays to call in such situations earlier in the drive, nothing new was left to use. Southern Illinois’ defense was ready to make a stand.
When the Panthers did manage to get to the redzone, they floundered. The first time, I was begging for a play-action fake to a releasing #48 Josh Mahaffey who has proven himself as a competent tight end near the endzone. UNI attempted to pound the ball three times to no avail before finally running a similar play to my pleading on fourth down for the touchdown. The next trip to the redzone resulted in trying some lame passes which Southern Illinois was ready for after establishing their dominance against the running game on the previous trip. The Panthers continued to repeatedly make the wrong choice when it came to whether they should run or pass. When they did call the right type of play, the selection was terrible. The Salukis were ready every time. Did I mention UNI tried a triple option pass thrown by #2 DP Eyman across the middle of the field for an interception? In case it is not known, Eyman was a quarterback converted to wide receiver when he clearly was never going to see playing time at his original position. Thanks for showing the Panther nation why the change was made.
Despite all of this, UNI remained tied 13-13 late in the game. Then #4 Varmah Sonie decided to wave for a fair catch, and call everybody away from an akward punt. The only problem was the defensive back then proceeded to run over to the ball to tell everyone to get away rather than staying away himself. The ball bounced into him and provided the Salukis with the ball on the Panther 7 yardline. They promptly went in for a touchdown. Pat Grace decided to become a hero. On first and 10, he faced pressure from the determined SIU defensive line. He scrambled out. As he was being tripped, he made a desperate throw to a waiting receiver for the big play. Unfortunately, this is a perfect case of throw the ball away and live to play another down. A Saluki defensive back was poaching the receiver and took the interception for an easy pick-6 to go up 27-13.
This was a determined Panther team which has been said to be the most talented team ever fielded in the history of Northern Iowa football. They would not go down without a fight. With a strong drive towards the end when the Panther coaches finally learned how to attack the opposition, the score was brought to within seven. With time running low, Northern Iowa went for the onside kick rather than giving the ball back to the Salukis. The onside kick went great with a high bounce, drilling potential receivers, and forcing a fumble. The fumble bounced out to the middle of the field. Right where the backside players were waiting for it. The one problem was the backside players decided to take a break on the play. Ultimately, a deeper Saluki came up and secured the ball. It turns out an extremely talented football team only matters when they care to play the entire game without their heads up their…well, you get the picture of what I think about this team.
To be fair, #47 Josh Mahoney is a stud and needs recognition for his accomplishments. He stood out on the field last year as a junior. He now leads one of the top defenses in the FCS and deserves credit for being named a finalist among players such as Tim Tebow, Colt McCoy, and Todd Reesing.