Mark Farley

[Kaboom]

Let's face it. We flat out underachieved all season. I can not hide the fact that the D sucked balls. Look at some of these stats:
1. Points Per game allowed 22.9 that includes a shut out against DRAKE
2. Opponents passed for 198.4 yds per game and we supposedly played in a running dominated league.
3. 19 sacks- we probably blizted 30 times all season.
4. Missed tackles- avg of 15 per game at 10 games that's 150 tackles missed folks.
Very, very frustrating to watch our D. It's no wonder that our Offense struggled at times- they were playing from behind before the game had even started. Farley needs to reevaluate the Defense. Perhaps he needs to bring in a real D coordinator...someone who wants to strike fear into opposing O's. For crying out loud my flag football team would have shredded this years Defense.

[jordana33]

Bottom line is Farley needs to hire a defensive coordinator. Everytime he has tried to be the defensive coordinator, the team has had a down year.

[JayJ79]

I'd be curious as to our defensive third down conversion percentage.

OPP 3RD-DN CONVERT       G  Conv  Att   Pct
-------------------------------------------
1. Youngstown State.... 11    43  137  31.4
2. Northern Iowa....... 10    50  120  41.7
3. Missouri State...... 11    66  155  42.6
4. Southern Illinois... 10    59  138  42.8
5. Illinois State...... 10    58  134  43.3
6. Western Kentucky.... 10    56  122  45.9
7. Western Illinois.... 11    74  143  51.7
8. Indiana State....... 11    75  139  54.0

but yeah, there were way too many 3rd & longs that the opponent converted on

[PurpleCatFan]

I agree with Jordana33. Mark Farley needs to be the role of Head Coach and have a solid d- coordinator in change.

We had a number of new coaching roles and coaches on the defensive side this year.
This also could have been a factor. Longevity of a coaching staff can help with technique and execution.

[pantherseeker]

The secondary is my biggest concern. Other than Dre Dokes, who is done after Saturday, we had some pretty weak d-backs at this stage. IMO. The McMoore's were always missing tackles and blowing coverage. Parsons doesn't know how to tackle, only how to flap his yap. And Cliff is just young, I think he'll be better in time.

yea our secondary does need some work...something that I noticed against western Illionis is that the coaches wouldn't keep McMoore in the game long enough to actually make plays...yea he missed some tackles but everybody on the D was missing tackles all year....this was mcmoore's first year really playing so it looked like he was just getting used to the compition of the gateway...Dre is the best player we have in the secondary no question..but he even blows coverages....but Parsons made plays too...I think he is tied for the lead in interceptions this year...he does have a mouth on him though...seemed like he was the only person really getting flags called on him

[UNIPNTHR]

It would be interesting to go back on the film and compile a cost benefit analysis based strictly on Parsons' plays. For example, his interceptions - how many Panther points were notched as a result of the turnover he created, and his personal fouls - did they keep foes' drives alive and if so were points put up because of it. It probably wouldn't be worth the effort of compiling that data, but it might be interesting to know...

[MGLD Panther]

I happen to like Parsons. I didn't see anyone on this team hit harder than he did. He can deal some pain.

[Mountain Panther]

I happen to like Parsons. I didn't see anyone on this team hit harder than he did. He can deal some pain.

Yep he will be the leader of the defense next year.

[MarshallTucker]

I gotta agree with Rick - I didn't see anyone else on the defense looking interested half the time. Parsons is a vocal kid who jumps around and tries to get his teammates and fans excited. Yep, he's good for a 15 yarder in the wrong direction every game but how can you not love the guy's intensity and tenacity? He gets after it and lets em know that they'll be taking a lick if they come in his area. Sometimes it looks like the passes were completed in front of him just so he could hit someone but that again comes back to the deep cushion we were giving receivers all year. A few changes, another offseason together and the defense should hopefully be exciting to watch.

[UNIAlum95]

Yes Parson's has a lot of intensity and can hit hard. BUT - he can't make an open field tackle if he has to use his arms. The only way he knows how to tackle is to lower his head and hope he knocks the guy loopy. If he is going to be the leader next year he needs to mature, become more fundamentally sound in his tackling, and not hurt his team with DUMB penalties. Those are the characteristics of a leader.

[bigcat75]

2005 vs.. 2006 defense

I hate to be the person to bring this up but here it is. For all the talk of unity and team chemistry and all that is being said here and missed tackles and stuff. I have to tell you all this. 2005's defense was very similar to this years defense. We missed lots of tackles last year we gave up lots of points, lots of yards. If anyone doesn't believe me check last years scores I am sure thru 10 games we gave up just as many points as we did this year if not more. Do we not remember missed tackles last year? We also had a bend don't break defense last year. We got some key stops and made some big plays but overal the bottom line is this. In 2005 we scored points lots of points we had a whole bunch of big plays on offense. Long pass plays for td's, huge punt returns,key 1st downs. Heck 4th and short and we go deep to secure the Gateway. Winning cures a lot of ills and makes people remember the good and 2005 was a magical season indeed a ride to remember. However, a few breaks the other way and none of it happens. Lets not forget the blocked field goals, the punt returns, the 4th and short play hell even the Texas St. coach taking a knee. My old coach always said he'd rather be lucky than good sometimes well in 2005 we had a little luck and we played that luck into a National Championship game. This years team played hard we were young on D granted, but they were lifting each other up pulling away teamates from arguments with opposing players hell even officials at times. We just didn't put it together this year but it was not lack of effort or team chemistry. I thought this year, as many did, we'd be able to score more points and put up the type of numbers as the 2005 team being that we had the o-line returning we had Sanders back more matured and a very good backfield with solid receivers, that never materialized. It is a team sport offense needs defense to make stops get them the ball back. Defense needs offense to sustain drives and score points. Best team sport of all is football no one man can turn around a game one man may make the headlines but us football players know better, yes best team sport of all time. I like all of you lived and died with this years team and i will live or die once more on Saturday. Lets all go and support the fellas they have been working hard, playing hurt and trying each week. Send the seniors off with a loud cheer!
GO PANTHERS!

[Born-a-Panther]

Well said bigcat... I'm very glad you posted that, cuz I think you're right-on.

[UNIAlum95]

BigCat you are right that it is not all on the D. The offense lacked the deep threat we had last year with Hunter and Goodwin. I don't think anyone thought we would miss our receivers as much as we did. The issue that someone else raised is that it has been frustrating to have a defensive oriented coach, and never field a dominating defensive team. It is just surprising that things like missed tackles and allowing big third down conversions seems to be the norm under Farley.

[UNI MadCat]

Great post BigCat! Perhaps the best I've seen on this board.

I think some of you have a case of Hawkeye-itis. You know the type. The Hawk fan that only remember's Drew Tate's Hail Mary and forgets that the Hawks probably weren't the best team on the field that day. However, the win and the myth lived on and so Hawk fans had unrealistic expectations both last year and this year that obviously have gone unfulfilled. A Hawk fan friend of mine made a great point before the 2005 season to me when he said, "you know, one of these days our luck is going to even out and there's going to be a lot of unhappy Hawk fans around here," and he couldn't have been more right. (For those that don't remember, the LSU game was not the only game where Iowa got lucky to survive during that 2-year stretch.)

Truth to be told, like BigCat pointed out, we weren't nearly as good as we remember us being last year. Nor are we nearly as bad as we we'll remember after this season comes to an end with no playoff berth.

I said it on another thread and I'll say it again... we're 1 or 2 plays away from being in the playoffs or perhaps even in as a seeded team with a home game or two coming. But the ball didn't bounce our way this year. Now, I do believe that there is some truth to the statement that "good teams create their own 'luck,'" but I also believe that sometimes even good teams have their luck run out on them.

[Chitown Panther]

I think people are frustrated with the fact that there doesn't seem to be alot of consistency.

When you walk from the PEC into the UNI-DOME....there is a BIG sign with our UNI-DOME record.......

Panther fans are NOT used to 2 and 3 loss seasons in the UNI-DOME.....

I don't mind missing the playoffs everynow and then....but we need to win 80% of our games in the UNI-DOME.....then the playoffs take care of themselves.....

GO CATS!!!!