What do we need to do to get a title?

[Todd Tharp]

We have been a top tier team for so long, but we just can't seem to make that final jump to be a championship team. Do we need to expand our recruiting, or what do we need to do to be a title contending team year in and year out?? We have what it takes to get there but what do we need to do to push us over the top?

[Mountain Panther]

Re: What do we need to do to get a title?

Me and Chitown Panther were talking about this very topic yesterday.

App State just announced a 4,000 seat expansion to Kidd Brewer Stadium. I heard those seats are already spoken for in season tickets. We don't sell out (consistently) our stadium of 16,000. In other words, more fan support like that would help.

[Todd Tharp]

Re: What do we need to do to get a title?

I think we need this regular sellout thing to keep on going. No matter what happens early next season , we need to keep showing up and supporting our team. We just need to make the playoffs, and anything can happen from there!

[Panther89]

Re: What do we need to do to get a title?

I think we need this regular sellout thing to keep on going. No matter what happens early next season , we need to keep showing up and supporting our team. We just need to make the playoffs, and anything can happen from there!

Well spoken. Sellouts would be huge for the program. That dome, packed with 16,000+ fans all yelling and screaming make it very difficult for a good team, much less a bad one, to come to Cedar Falls and get out with a win. I think that even if our team isn't as strong or well rounded next year, the big crowd thing will provide a boost. Mark Farley keeps saying that the dome gives his team 7 points a game.
It's like ISU and "Hilton Magic." Even on their down years, teams like Kansas, Oklahoma St. and Mizzou have a rough time in that place because it's so loud, and always full.
That's the one thing we as fans could do to help the Panthers.
Other than that, we need a well balanced offense, a great defense, great special teams, mistake free games, and consistency. AND, the team has to have all of those things all of the time in each week of the playoffs. It's extremely tough to do. That's why there are few dynasty teams out there. Appy St is big right now like Youngstown St. used to be. I think UNI has taken big steps, epecially in the past couple years to be right there too. The Panthers need to keep doing what they've been doing, and the Panther community needs to support this team like they have been, and something tells me that title is something we will eventually have.

[BCPanther]

Re: What do we need to do to get a title?

SPEED SPEED SPEED SPEED SPEED

We must continue to improve our overall team speed. Speed is exactly what has made Appy a dynasty at this level.

I would also like to see some of the West Virginia running game put in. Again, it has helped to make Appy a dynasty at this level...

[Herdman]

Re: What do we need to do to get a title?

Brett Crawford is absolutely right. Speed wins championships. Championships breed crowd growth and participation. Speed Speed Speed Speed. Think about it, UD was a faster team and they are playing the fastest team from the other bracket - ASU.

[Mountain Panther]

Re: What do we need to do to get a title?

Brett Crawford is absolutely right. Speed wins championships. Championships breed crowd growth and participation. Speed Speed Speed Speed. Think about it, UD was a faster team and they are playing the fastest team from the other bracket - ASU.

The FCS level usually gets offensive FBS transfers at the skill positions....not defensive. So recruiting and focusing on defensive transfer speed is critical.

[Matt Trump]

Re: What do we need to do to get a title?

Luck. This program is 3 fumbles from possible glory.

[D Panther]

Re: What do we need to do to get a title?

Matt is absolutly right. The best does not always win and there have been plenty of examples over the years. It is the team that gets breaks at the right time. Right now UD is living a charmed life as they can do no wrong and the breaks continue to fall their way. I beleived that both UNI and SIU are better teams but everything is bouncing their way. All that said Farley has increased the talent level and the coaching staff is outworking other programs. This staff is absolutly driven to get that monkey off our back. It WILL happen here sooner or later.

[Big_Al]

Re: What do we need to do to get a title?

It's hard to see where UNI has to do much to "improve" to get a NC. Yes, a little speed here, a little size there would all definitely help but I think really what is needed are the intangibles. UD didn't do anything that UNI wasn't fully capable of doing. The best evidence of that was the fact UD didn't manage to put the game away until late in the 4th quarter.

If you read AGS, the UD fans would have everyone think their superiority is obvious to any rational person and everyone who has been beaten by them should bow down to their clearly great team. Personally, I think they're deluding themselves and are in for a real awakening against a undeniably great App. State team.

Personally, the UD team just found the little toeholds and crevices that allowed them to climb the mountain past us. Is that coaching? Dunno. Is that ability? Maybe. Is that a mental thing? Most definitely.

I'm confident UNI has the players and coaches to get a ring. They just need to get the mindset (whatever that is) to make it happen.

[4N6]

Re: What do we need to do to get a title?

I was always a basketball and baseball player. Never played football past 8th grade. But ... going into this season, I saw out offensive line, with all the returnees, and felt right then that greatness was upon us. Whether I was prophetic or not, I really believe that our offensive line had everything to do with the success experienced this year. So, I really believe that the coaches need to find replacements for our graduating seniors on the line. Secondly, I believe we need SPEED at the D-back position(s).

But ... I believe what others have written previously. I truly believe that packing the UNI Dome is worth AT LEAST 7 points on the board in close games. Packc the house, and we will develop a reputation not unlike Hilton Magic.

Winning a title at UNI is possible. They team developed a winning tradition this year, now, we as fans need to recognize their efforts.

[Twin Cities Panther]

Re: What do we need to do to get a title?

We have been a top tier team for so long, but we just can't seem to make that final jump to be a championship team. Do we need to expand our recruiting, or what do we need to do to be a title contending team year in and year out?? We have what it takes to get there but what do we need to do to push us over the top?

I put up my pledge, but the admins must have removed it...........

[Matt Trump]

Re: What do we need to do to get a title?

IThey team developed a winning tradition this year, now, we as fans need to recognize their efforts.

Correction, there has always been a winning tradition at UNI.

[BCPanther]

Re: What do we need to do to get a title?

We have won at least a share of 13 of 23 Gatway titles. That is pretty much domination.

One of these years we will break through. The journey will make the destination all that much sweeter...

EDIT: Take out the Dunbar and Bruce years and we have won 13 of 18...

[run&blade]

Re: What do we need to do to get a title?

Defensive speed and defensive playmakers. When a team doesn't punt after the 1st quarter then you have a problem.

I think the speed on the team is getting better, just need to keep it going.

Big crowds are great but I am not convinced they will continue. Iowa and ISU were horrible this year, if they pick it up it will take away some of UNI's draw.

I do think if UNI can keep their ticket prices low it will help. UNI football is such a great family value, it is almost free when compared to going to Iowa or ISU games. Letting the fans on the field after the games is the smartest think the athletic dept. has done in a long time. My kids love going on the field and we have sat through some blowouts to get a chance to toss it around after the game.