Just have to get these things off my chest..

[06panther10]

Ok I just have to say what I thought about the loss and then ill shut up.

#1 I dont like when I hear that we were out-coached, we were just out-executed.

#2 3rd downs....are you F'n kidding me?

#3 The secondary.....One of the worst displays by a defensive secondary I have ever seen. I do not remember ONE play that the secondary TOUCHED the ball even once. It seemed as though they were just out there taking up space. They would be in the area to make the play and then just not make it.

#4 We just didn't get the breaks that you need to get to win a football game...the turnovers, we did twice and didnt get any from Delaware. Its just bad luck that the fumble hopped right up into the chest of the Delaware player.....damn

#5 And most importantly of all.......what a great great memorable season. It hurts real bad right now but gosh darn this was a good football season. #1 ranking, undefeated regular seas, Gateway champs(again), beat down ISU in Ames. You dont have to try to hard to claim this as the best season in UNI history. It really sucks that we couldn't bring home the title but I think I speak for everyone when we say thanks to all the players and the seniors for a tremendous season and great careers at UNI.

GO PANTHERS!!

[BlueHen]

I came away with nothing but respect for UNI today you guys played your hearts out.

[06panther10]

Congrats to Delware for capitalizing on the breaks that they got as well....Delaware made all the 'big plays' that you have to make to win a playoff game like this. Delaware is a good team for sure. Good luck in Carbondale.

[PantherHawk]

well when you are able to run the ball for 8 some yards a carry, i would say put the passing offense away and run the ball. UNI came out throwing up 10-0. no you run the ball and control the TOP. Poor coaching by UNI's staff!

[HENJOHN]

The Panthers were Best and most physical team we played all season. Many of the players and coaches seemed to think so after the game. We just strapped it up from the 2nd quarter on and went after it. Great season UNI.

[BadgerPanther]

Originally Posted by PantherHawk

well when you are able to run the ball for 8 some yards a carry, i would say put the passing offense away and run the ball. UNI came out throwing up 10-0. no you run the ball and control the TOP. Poor coaching by UNI's staff!

This to me was the biggest head-scratcher about yesterday's game. Yes, the turnovers were costly, the defense never gained a pick or fumble and Sanders was a wee bit off in his customary accuracy; but why would you not continue to ram it down their throat after the initial drive went so well??

The Panther players and coaches deserve credit for a fabulous year. However, yesterday's curious play calling, IMO, cost them the game.

Oh, forgot to mention: Delaware played great. Kudos to them and best of luck against a tough Saluki bunch.

[Blue42]

Farley said UD switched to a different defensive front and was doing a better job of slowing the run.

Plus we got down by two scores which of course shifts our play calling to more passing.

[JayJ79]

Originally Posted by Blue42

Farley said UD switched to a different defensive front and was doing a better job of slowing the run.

I noticed that too. The first series and a half, we were able to run all over them. Then it seemed they were stuffing the run. Might have been able to stick with it a little more. But then you'd have people whining about conservative playcalling and "why did they keep trying to run the ball when it obviously wasn't working...."

[Panther_for_life]

This game was just more of the same. 2005 Championship, we run the ball effectively, then decide to pass; playing right into App St quickness and away from our power. 2006 at ISU, same thing. Those are just two more examples where we lost big games. Now, there are 3. There are plenty of others.

There are thousands of bad things that can happen when you pass. There are a few when you run. Anytime you can run the ball and average 4+ yds per carry you do it. Yeah, there will be times when the run gets stuffed, but you don't give up on it if the percentages are in your favor. Incomplete passes kill the running game. When did the Panthers ever give up on passing after an incompletion or INT? It's like they look down at there playbook and decide, "oh my, we haven't passed nearly enough for a 'balanced attack', we better change that". It's stupid to try to pass the ball if you can run the ball!

Then when we do pass the ball it's long routes. 3rd and two, "hey, we haven't run a flag yet". If you need to pass, short possession passes. Maybe use the TE's a few times? How about running some sweeps? Maybe a reverse with JG? The linebackers were vacating the middle during the last two games. Adjustments? Farley and his O-cord are like impetous kids. "I want a touchdown, and I want it now"!

The most dominating position on this years team is the O-line. Why Farley didn't trust them is beyond me. Ride those horses that got you there.

I'm not suggesting that we don't have good coaches. They have obviously done a great job of recruiting and more importantly developing talent. I'm just saying that the gameday play calling continues to suck!

[northwest iowa panther]

Looks to me that we have a number of excellent coaching candidates for the U of Michigan position that are wasting their time posting on this site and should be updating their resumes instead.

The Panthers played well today as always. We don't fumbe twice--we win the game! Real simple.

[Panther_for_life]

Yeah, your right. The pressure should be on the 20 year old kids and not the coaches.

[TommyT]

We sat in zone coverage all night and we got picked apart all night. When you have a bigger offensive line and have the lead, you run first and pass second. You give up turnovers and miss opportunities to get turnovers you lose games. #1 and #2 are on the coaches, #3 are on the players. It all adds up that we got beat by a good team. But we could and should have done better. But... The Panthers will rise again next year!

[GatewayFB]

Looks to me that we have a number of excellent coaching candidates for the U of Michigan position that are wasting their time posting on this site and should be updating their resumes instead.

The Panthers played well today as always. We don't fumbe twice--we win the game! Real simple.

I'll do that today. I hate to leave Los Angeles, but Pete Carroll's job just is not opening up as quickly as I had originally planned.

[UNIDadx3]

Our passing game stunk yesterday???? You coaches out there should look at the stats of the game.

[06panther10]

I dont think the play calling was as bad as alot of people think, but with that said it was frustrating when we had so many passes on first down that were incomplete. It just puts every drive in a big hole right off the bat.

[JayJ79]

Couple of the drives in the middle quarters might not have stalled out if they'd gone with more runs. But such things are going to happen.

It was the fact that we couldn't stop the UD offense that was the biggest trouble (due mostly to the talent of Flacco to scramble and find something). And of course, the two turnovers (that interception at the end of the game didn't really have an effect on the game outcome).

[unimsw]

Our offense did enough to get the win, aside from the fumbles. The two things that killed us are:
1. No secondary, which has been a problem all year. Our guys were standing around in their zones and didn't even try to make plays. Carter stood out to me as doing NOTHING to stop the opposing offense. Balls flying right by him and he just stands there. Missed tackles. Etc.
2. We consistently shot ourselves in the foot when we were in the red zone. That's where the play calling and execution fell apart. Between the 20's, it was fine.
Kudos to the Hens for the big win. Kudos to the Panthers for a great season. Hope our QB next year it good.

[ferociouspredator]

You folks who are ripping the staff for play calling, choking, losing big games or whatever amaze me. Seems like the play calling has been pretty good for the last few years. I am not aware of anyone bashing the play calling during the run to the title game in 2005.

On the contrary, I recall hearing everyone talk about the guts of the calling and the amazing execution of the players.

Bottom line: this deep into the playoffs, anyone can win it. The team that executes most effectively almost always wins. Delaware, like the other teams still alive, benefitted from some uncharacteristic mistakes we made yesterday. That's the reality of football.

And sadly, ranting about poor calling seems to be the reality of misguided fan's thinking.

War Farley & Panthers & the rest of the most underfunded, overachieving athletic program in America.

[unimsw]

Originally Posted by ferociouspredator

You folks who are ripping the staff for play calling, choking, losing big games or whatever amaze me. Seems like the play calling has been pretty good for the last few years. I am not aware of anyone bashing the play calling during the run to the title game in 2005.

On the contrary, I recall hearing everyone talk about the guts of the calling and the amazing execution of the players.

Bottom line: this deep into the playoffs, anyone can win it. The team that executes most effectively almost always wins. Delaware, like the other teams still alive, benefitted from some uncharacteristic mistakes we made yesterday. That's the reality of football.

And sadly, ranting about poor calling seems to be the reality of misguided fan's thinking.

War Farley & Panthers & the rest of the most underfunded, overachieving athletic program in America.

Naw... I don't think playcalling was the problem this week as much as pass defense suckitude... but now that you mention it, playcalling was why we lost the championship in 2005, IMO.

[Mudrafan]

nobody is ripping on anyone. some of you are way too sensitive & don't take this in it's proper perspective. This isn't the 6 news. This is a message board for opinions. Plain & simple. If you don't agree...then give yours. But the whining & complaining about someone's opinion or the fact we are pointing out things critical is childish.

[06panther10]

I really do believe the offense played well enought to win. Its tough when you know you have to get 7 points out of every drive or you will be down when you get the ball next...

[WHO's a Panther]

My University is growing up.

We now have enough fanatics that love their football program so much that they can criticize the decisions made in a game. I say Hooray! We have made it!

Twenty years ago, the only complaining I heard about the program came from grumpy old guys. Now we have the passion that so many of us have been wanting for years.

Apathy has been the enemy of the UNI Panthers in Iowa for so many years. This year we saw unprecedented growth in our fan base. Sell out audiences during the season, sellout audiences during the playoffs and statewide media attention. The real kind of attention, not the pat of the head we used to get...you know like patting your kid brother on the head and saying, "you have such a nice little football program."

Here's the difference between us and the rest of the major college programs in Iowa. It's Access. Many of us get to know the coaches at UNI. We know them to be great people who happen to love what they are doing and enjoy having us fans along for the ride.

No one is beating themselves up more than our coaches right now. That's because they are competitors. We run zone defense in the secondary because our coaches believe that gives us the best chance to win. We mix up the pass and run to keep opposing defenses off balanced. I haven't heard anyone say that we are predictable. That's a complaint we hear a lot from the fans south of here. Listen to Coach Farley on the postgame show. He gives us an unique perspective into the coach's thought process during each game. He rarely sugarcoats it.

It's a fans right to moan and complain. Especially after a disappointing loss. Let's just remember that we have come a long way with this current staff and we continue to see improvement. Coach Farley and his staff IS going to deliver us a national championship. No doubt about that. Look at what we have accomplished in the last several years.

Let's make sure our critque of the program is fair and doesn't get personal. That's what we fans are supposed to be...fanatical!

This was a fun year. The stuff legends are made of. I can't wait to see next year!

Go Panthers!

[84Alum]

Originally Posted by WHO's a Panther

My University is growing up.

We now have enough fanatics that love their football program so much that they can criticize the decisions made in a game. I say Hooray! We have made it!

Twenty years ago, the only complaining I heard about the program came from grumpy old guys. Now we have the passion that so many of us have been wanting for years.

Apathy has been the enemy of the UNI Panthers in Iowa for so many years. This year we saw unprecedented growth in our fan base. Sell out audiences during the season, sellout audiences during the playoffs and statewide media attention. The real kind of attention, not the pat of the head we used to get...you know like patting your kid brother on the head and saying, "you have such a nice little football program."

Here's the difference between us and the rest of the major college programs in Iowa. It's Access. Many of us get to know the coaches at UNI. We know them to be great people who happen to love what they are doing and enjoy having us fans along for the ride.

No one is beating themselves up more than our coaches right now. That's because they are competitors. We run zone defense in the secondary because our coaches believe that gives us the best chance to win. We mix up the pass and run to keep opposing defenses off balanced. I haven't heard anyone say that we are predictable. That's a complaint we hear a lot from the fans south of here. Listen to Coach Farley on the postgame show. He gives us an unique perspective into the coach's thought process during each game. He rarely sugarcoats it.

It's a fans right to moan and complain. Especially after a disappointing loss. Let's just remember that we have come a long way with this current staff and we continue to see improvement. Coach Farley and his staff IS going to deliver us a national championship. No doubt about that. Look at what we have accomplished in the last several years.

Let's make sure our critque of the program is fair and doesn't get personal. That's what we fans are supposed to be...fanatical!

This was a fun year. The stuff legends are made of. I can't wait to see next year!

Go Panthers!

Very well said...very good post!

[clenz]

That was a great post WHO.

I agree that the coaches think that the zone gives us a great chance to win, and it has gotten us a lot of W's, but we have to play some man to mix it up when the zone is getting picked apart. That is all a lot of fans are saying.

Anyway I have full faith in Farley. I'm with him in whatever he does

[dragon]

Maybe someday we will finally be able to win the big one. If we keep having great teams hopefully I'll see it someday. I hadn't been this excited about Panther football since we had a great team in the early 90's and lost to Youngstown in the semi final at home.

[oldcat]

All you have to do is think back to the Dunbar years, then I say thank goodness this staff is at UNI!! What a year.............who would have thought a UNI football ticket would become as hot an item as it became this year! We have great athletes, great coaches and great fans................what a fantastic situation.

[housecat]

Full faith in Farley here. He's loyal and he's great.
I agree with the sentiments on secondary.

This program and university is awesome though, and very glad I chose it and this program feels right. UNI is home for me. Hope to see the fanbase expand. I wear my UNI gear all the time!

I tend to go with the fact that DE was lucky to get out of the dome, and we only lost to ourselves. 8/10 times that game would've been played we'd executed all 4 quarters like the 1st. Explanations aside, we ended the season losing to a good team on a bad day while UI can't say the same (Western Michigan? ok).
I welcome any alums or fans from the other state schools to join the Panther Collective.
Give ya a reason to keep waking up everyday. Won't have to hate yourself any longer.
Panther fans, just imagine having to exist as a Hawkeye and you'll feel a LOT better!!!

A national championship is clearly inevitable here.

I say congrats on this season, don't blame anyone really the wind blows both ways (well, not in the dome ) and am upping my contributions to UNI

[UNIAlum95]

Originally Posted by housecat

A national championship is clearly inevitable here.

I want to believe that but a loss like this really makes you wonder. UNI has everything in its favor (except maybe the opponents in the playoffs) and is not able to get it done. I'm not saying that UNI isn't going to get back to the playoffs, but if this team couldn't get it done, what is it going to take?

Like Farley said all year, this team was built for a championship run four years ago.

[housecat]

Look at it this way, if the FBS had playoffs, Iowa or Iowa State would never, ever be the champions. They'd be lucky to get into any playoffs (our division or theirs). We get into the playoffs all the time, in 2005 played FOR the championship and this year they gave a strong run.
We have the best team/coaches you can ask for. So the pieces didn't fall into place yet.
A team that had this much success draws recruits, and from what I gather it seems everyone is saying the fanbase is bigger than it's ever been.

Selling out the dome, not having spotty attendance, and growing the core fanbase is the greatest victory this senior squad brought us.
That's harder to get for UNI than a national championship. We're so smalltime in the state of Iowa that everyone feels they gotta support the Hawks from birth because it's the "best" we've got.
This isn't true of course, and actually pathetically hilarious of a thought, but its the common misconception.

I wasn't around 20 years ago (though I was definitely alive, @5 years old) and I can believe the other guys when they say there was no fervor surrounding Panther football. There is now, WHO's a Panther said it best- "WE made it!"

For me this is about respect, for the program and the institution, and anyone's respect we don't have by now is simply a tool.

Mark Farley and this senior squad made this program, period! They deserve a championship, this is true but the contributions made are tremendous!

No one in the nation WANTS to play UNI, we'll embarass FBS teams and FCS teams are playing with their life everytime. We keep getting better every year due to Farley growing into his role and out of his hair, and the whole program getting tighter.

It's awesome.

[Born-a-Panther]

Had the chance to listen to Farley talk today at the press luncheon. He and his staff and the players do not take for granted the support they have received this year. It seems as though he just couldn't say enough about how much everyone's support has meant to them. It was a tough way to end the season, but so much more than just victories was accomplished this year, and I have to believe that one of the reasons this team saw so much support is because of the way they carried themselves, spoke of each other, and the way Farley and his staff represent UNI. I couldn't be prouder to have Coach Farley as the head coach of my beloved football team. UNI WILL win a national championship. He told us that today. You can believe that he won't quit until he brings that trophy to UNI. I'm ready to start the countdown to next season already. All the coaches left last night and this morning to begin recruiting. Purple Reign always tells us to "make a memory." This football team helped us all make MANY memories this season, and I can't thank them enough for all their hard work and efforts!

Go Panthers!!!!

[Jonsoup]

Well said BAP!!

[GatewayFB]

All you have to do is think back to the Dunbar years, then I say thank goodness this staff is at UNI!! What a year.............who would have thought a UNI football ticket would become as hot an item as it became this year! We have great athletes, great coaches and great fans................what a fantastic situation.

oldcat - I read all about the ticket issues people were having...and I kept thinking "I remember you, me and about 8,000 (maybe) others watch UNI beat Maine in a playoff game some years ago".

Hey...oldcat, take your camera to the next basketball game and send me some photos.

[dragon]

We have to remember we really do have a nice problem. We may not be able to win the title but we have great teams that have won a lot of great games. How many teams out there wished they had the issues of wishing they could win it all when they never see the playoffs? The success has raised the expectations. We keep the fans, reload and who knows what may happen?

[Mountain Panther]

I am still very upset about the loss last weekend. It will continue to sting for a while. A #1 seed in the playoffs is rare.

That was the first game I've been to since 2005. I'd heard rumors that the concessions in the Dome were ill-prepared for sellouts and I found this to be very true. I ordered a hot dog in the 3rd qtr. He had to turn around and ask someone else if they "had any more dogs." Then I ordered a bottle of water. They handed me a half-frozen bottle and said "this is all we have left." Apparently they ran out of regular bottled water and had several frozen bottles they set out to thaw.

And the concourses in the Dome are way too narrow but there's nothing they can do about that without major reconstruction.

[housecat]

I'm all for doing reconstruction on the dome. I'd like to see the midsection of the dome taken off during nice gamedays, bigger concourses, and somehow expanding the seating like Texas A&M did a while back by hanging some more up higher. It'd be nice to have capacity for 25k or 30k if its possible.

This is the #1 team in Iowa, we deserve the best and funds should be funneled from ISU and UI to do all this. Cut their funding. Its clear money can't help the Hawkeyes so why waste it on them.

As "disappointing" as the playoffs ended up (ISU/UI only wishes they had equivalent success in the FBS), this seems to me like Panther football is the best it's ever been and getting better steadily every year.
Farley's worth every buck we can get to this program, I give.

National Championship will come before Farley's gone and I'm ride'n till I die.
I don't really feel down at all, this wasn't our best shot this was an equally best shot as any season with Farley at the helm. Best coach ever, mysteriously, best teams ever.
Let the man work, give the man money.