The Game

The University of Northern Iowa will play at home for the second consecutive week against the Illinois State Redbirds Sat. Oct. 27. The game between the Panthers and the Redbirds is set to kick-off at 4:00 p.m.  The game will feature the UNI Panthers wearing a white helmet along with white jerseys. Illinois State will wear its red jerseys in today's contest.

The Coaches

UNI head coach Mark Farley is in his 12th season at the helm of the Panther sideline. Farley has posted a mark of 101-45, which includes seven trips to the NCAA FCS playoffs. Farley has notched a record of 60-20 in MVFC play, which ranks him No. 1 on the all-time league wins chart. ISU finished the 2011 season with a 7-4 overall record under head coach Brock Spack, securing the team's third-straight winning season for the first time since the team posted three-straight from 1998-2000. Illinois State was ranked No. 20 in The Sports Network/Fathead.com FCS Top 25 final poll and has now been ranked in poll for six-consecutive weeks heading into the 2012 season. ISU was ranked as high as No. 14 during the regular season by TSN.

Scouting The Redbirds

Illinois State enters the game 6-2 overall with a conference record of 3-2. The two conference losses come from Southern Illinois and Missouri State. Notable wins for the Redbirds include their 35-28 victory over Youngstown State.

The Series

UNI holds a 19-9 lead in the all-time series vs. Illinois State. UNI has won two straight games in the series and five of the last six meetings. UNI is 11-2 in the UNI-Dome vs. Illinois State. UNI has won four straight home games vs. Illinois State. The Redbirds' only two victories in the Dome came in 1998 (38-23) and 2002 (31-20).

Coach Farley against Illinois State

The Panthers are 7-4 against the Illinois State Redbirds during the Farley era. The Panthers defeated Illinois State last season in double overtime in Normal, Ill., 23-20.

Homecoming

UNI has recorded a mark of 60-24-7 in Homecoming games since 1920. The Panthers have won 20 of their last 23 Homecoming contests in the UNI-Dome.

Tight End in the End Zone

Redshirt Freshman Sam Rohr scored his first collegiate touchdown against SDSU, giving the Panthers the lead in the first quarter.

Forcing Turnovers

J.J. Swain's interception against SDSU was the first interception for the Panthers since the game against Central State. It is the Panthers fifth interception of the season and Swain's first of the season.

Anderson In The Books

Anderson is also closing in on the Panthers' all-time record for kick return yards. Tyree Talton set the mark with 2,223 yards from 1995-1998. Anderson has tallied 2,000 kick return yards heading into Saturday's game vs. Illinois State. Anderson has tallied 76 career kick returns and is one away from tying the UNI record for most kick returns in a career - set by Tyree Talton with 77 from 1995-1998.

College Performance Awards: Week 8

Senior punter Kyle Bernard was honored for his performance against South Dakota State this week by the College Performance Awards. Bernard and the UNI special teams stunned SDSU with a fake punt. Bernard was able to rush for the six-yard gain he needed and keep the UNI drive alive in the 27-6 win over SDSU.

Big Arm, Big Catch

Sawyer Kollmorgen notched a season long touchdown pass with the 76-yarder between the redshirt freshman and Brett LeMaster against SIU. It was also LeMaster's season-long catch. LeMaster finished with 112 yards giving him his second 100-plus receiving game of the season.

Season High

David Johnson rushed for his second 100-plus yard game this season. He now has four career 100-plus yard rushing games. He finished the game with 121 yards, beating his previous season high of 118 against Southern Illinois.

Anderson In The Zone

Carlos Anderson scored his first rushing touchdown against SIU since UNI played at Southern Illinois in 2010.

Strength Of Schedule

South Dakota State is the fourth ranked team out of the seven games that the Panthers have played this season (includes FBS and FCS rankings).

College Performance Awards: Week 7

Carlos Anderson received all-purpose honorable mention from the College Performance Awards for his performance againt SIU. He finished with 68 rushing yards, eight receiving yards and 84 kick-off return yards for a total of 160 yards.

UNI vs. #1 Ranked Teams

UNI is 2-5 all-time vs. No. 1-ranked FCS opponents. UNI's last win over the No. 1-ranked team in the nation came in the NCAA playoffs when the Panthers scored a 24-21 win at No. 1 New Hampshire on Dec. 3, 2005. The Panthers last win in the UNI-Dome over a No. 1-ranked team came Oct. 18, 1997, then UNI tallied a 35-32 win over Youngstown State.

Panthers Dominate Ranked Opponents

UNI owns a 69-45 record since 1985 against ranked FCS opponents. Southern Illinois ranks second in the MVFC in wins over ranked opponents since 1985 with 37. UNI and NDSU are the only two MVFC teams with winning records against ranked opponents.

All-Time, All-Purpose

Carlos Anderson currently ranks No. 7 on the Panthers' all-time all-purpose yards list with 4,566 yards. Anderson has tallied 2,146 rushing yards, 376 receiving yards, 44 punt return yards and 2,000 kick return yards in his four-year career. Kenny Shedd (1989-1992) holds the Panthers' all-time record for all-purpose yards with 5,173.