UNI vs SIU

[Newsbreaker]

I'm still debating...do I listen to the radio live, or keep myself in a bubble until the tape delay comes on.

Really, isn't it about time we give the football program in the state with the highest aspirations some lights on their practice field?

[jegbomb52]

They did, they had 8 lights, two from each van!! (ha ha ha ha ha ha)

[PantherChic]

One last thing, prior to contrary belief Jegbomb will not be attending this game on Saturday as he will be following his school Southeast Polk to the Dome to take on the mighty Valley Tigers! Go Rams!!!!

I know this is off topic, but I will be rooting for your SE Polk Rams! Anyone who can down Valley is tops in my book!

[pantherclaw]

I agree, im an alum of ankeny, and would much rather see SE polk, a fellow conference member beat valley. GO RAMS

[TravelingPanther]

I'll be at work until 5pm, so I'll be message boarding it up.

[Matt Trump]

I'll be watching on the Internet thanks to CSTV.

[UNI Fight]

SE Polk.
Big win for SE Polk over Ankeny after Ankeny had defeated your Newton Cardinals last week.

The questions:
Does SE have enough to defeat Valley and maybe go on to win it all?
Will Nate Snead become a future Panther?

Being a Valley alum and still knowing people there i.e. my sister, I know that SE Polk probably has more than enough talent to beat Valley right now. Valley will be limping into this game with their 3rd string HB and top WR (Sandvig) out with a torn ACL hopefully it's a good game

[Mountain Panther]

No, contrary to all thoughts of me I am actually a teacher at Southeast Polk. I am originally from Newton. Do you know Kevin Stalter, he graduated from SEP around that time and he still teaches here.

Then I assume you know the new girls basketball coach at SE Polk? I've known him since 8th grade. He's quite the character.

[JayJ79]

Matt Dougherty, I-AA Football Editor @ sportsnetwork.com, has us as the game of the week. Pretty good writeup, though a faulty prediction....

GAME OF THE WEEK

No. 12 Northern Iowa (6-3, 4-1) at No. 14 Southern Illinois (6-3, 3-3), 4:00

The rankings might not make this look like the most important game of the week, but the playoff permutations are more important here than any game in the country. Coming into this week, Youngstown State and Illinois State look good for playoff berths out of the Gateway Conference, but both UNI and Southern Illinois are sitting on the bubble with tough work to do. But the thing is, this game isn’t necessarily just a winner is in, loser is out situation. If the Salukis get the victory, they can probably punch their playoff ticket, as long as they beat Southern Utah in the season finale at home. But if that happens, UNI would still win a tie for the conference automatic bid if Youngstown State loses this week and the Panthers knock off Illinois State in the season finale. A Southern Illinois win seems to put either three or four Gateway teams in the playoffs, but a UNI victory likely means the league will earn two or three spots. The Salukis would be out with a loss, and the Panthers would still have to beat Illinois State to win the league’s automatic bid and give the conference a third spot. With the whole country watching, these teams could be headed for another classic in their series that has heated up in the past three years. UNI holds a 2-1 record in the matchups since 2003, but every game has been decided by four points or loss and the total score is at an even 104-104.

That score means a lot of offense in the recent years, with finals of 43-40 (UNI), 40-36 (SIU), and 25-24 (UNI) displaying the ability of both offenses to move the ball. That should be true again, with UNI scoring 31.1 ppg and Southern Illinois doing them a few points better at 33.7 ppg. The Panthers already had to keep their hopes in good shape by rallying for a 31-20 win over Western Kentucky last week, and should be able to produce against a Southern Illinois defense that gave up 249 rushing yards to Youngstown State’s Marcus Mason on Saturday. The Salukis had done pretty well going into that game, but will get another test from a UNI running game that averages 215.6 yards per game and 5.35 yards per carry. The Panthers also have a reliable threat when they go to the air, with quarterback Eric Sanders (1632 yards, 12 TD/4 INT) already proven in these situations and completing 69 percent of his passes. They take on a Saluki defense that has allowed 24 points or more in four of the last five games, so the Panthers should be able to put up plenty of points.

The Salukis, however, can match UNI on the scoreboard. Running back Arkee Whitlock (1,191 yards, 14 TD) just put up 218 yards and three touchdowns last week against the Penguins and is capable of carrying the offense and notching a good number against a UNI defense that is tougher but has still given up a few big days. The Salukis average 230.7 yards per game on the ground, so they’ll need to stay at it and move in the rushing game against the Panthers. Southern Illinois could be in more trouble if it falls behind, since quarterback Nick Hill (1,256 yards, 9 TD/3 INT) has not been asked to win games with his arm and has only completed around 50 percent of his passes with more interceptions than touchdowns in the past three weeks. UNI has given up a lot of yards through the air, but also has more interceptions than touchdowns and can make a few big plays against Hill and the Saluki passing game. Still, the Salukis can put points up with Whitlock running for a big day, and make this a high-scoring game that comes down to the end. That makes it a toss-up, but the home team has fared well in this series and Whitlock can take over in the fourth quarter. That will be just enough for the Salukis, who move closer to the playoffs while making UNI hope for a Youngstown State loss. Prediction: Southern Illinois 31, UNI 28

[Matt Trump]

Dougherty always picks against UNI in big games.

[Matt Trump]

I'll be watching on the Internet thanks to CSTV.

Actually, I'll be watching via SIU's feed.

[unigriff]

jeg i have high hopes that a clinched 2nd place finish no matter the outcome of the Ill St. game would puncha ticket if we win saturday and WKU beats YSU. But yes, i agree...we should win both just to make sure!

[Panthers to the Bone]

Last year, YSU tied for the conference championship and still didn't make the playoffs.

[bigcat75]

Very tough Game

I know exactly what we have to do to beat this team and it is easier said then done. We have to stop the run make them beat us with the pass. The whole key to this game is to stop Whitlock we have to make them pass to beat us. He is a tremedous running back balance, speed and power when needed. They have a very good offensive line, their TE is also a good blocker and our defensive line will need to play like they did last week even better. Our LB's will need to get off of their blockers get in there gaps and play fundementally sound. Team defense will be the key. I feel we can press their receivers some and if we slow down their run game make them have to throw some we have more than a good chance. If Whitlock is getting big chunks of yards each time he carries could be a long game. We have the talent to do it and I am sure the coaches have a gameplan defensively to do this. 100% concentration focus on each and every play the old football saying is each player just " do your job". I am telling you all if we make them have to pass we will be ok. I for one am with you guys 100%. Lets get it done.
GO PANTHERS!!

[joecooll6]

Dougherty always picks against UNI in big games.

You'd think he'd learn by now.

Griff- We will not get an at large bid at 7-4, not with a loss to a D2 team on our record.