FCS Outlook

Marty and Matt's 2012 All Steals Team
QB's
FCS Mitchell Bo Levi Eastern Washington 6-2 210
DII Neugebauer Adam West Virginia - Wesleyan 6-2 215
DIII Tanney Alex Monmouth 6-4 220
NAIA Ware Chris Eastern Oregon 6-1 212
RB's
1st DII Randolph Jonas Mars Hills 5-10 185
2nd DII Cooper Nic Winston-Salem 6-0 245
3rd DII Daniels Travis UNC-Pembroke 5-10 205
HM DIII Coppage Levell Wisconsin-Whitwater 5-9 180
FB's
1st FCS Romanelli Jake Cal-Poly 6-3 240
2nd FCS Igwenegu Emil Massachusetts 6-2 245
3rd FCS Doty Kevin Lafayette 6-3 255 (h-back)
HM FCS Jorden Ben Appalachian State 6-2 250 (TE)
WR's
1st DII Kennedy Trevor Mercyhurst 6-0 200
1st FCS Quick Brian Appalachian State 6-5 220
1st DII Mayo Thomas California (PA) 6-2 200
2nd DII McVey Trey Northeastern State 5-9 188
2nd FCS Louis Mario Grambling 6-0 190
2nd DII Burrell Troy Wayne State (MI) 5-10 186
3rd FCS Akpla Elvis Montana State 6-1 190
3rd FCS Gray Tre Richmond 5-10 175
3rd DIII Zweifel Michael Dubuque 6-1 190
HM DIII McKee Josh Wittenberg 6-2 185
HM NAIA Anderson Clarence Ottawa 5-9 160
HM FCS Savage Shane Cornell 5-10 176
TE's
1st FCS Rollins Renty Jackson State 6-5 255
2nd DIII Fiedorowicz Kyle North Central 6-7 266
3rd NAIA Redmon Juan MidAmerica Nazarene 6-5 251
HM FCS Gottlieb Alex William & Mary 6-4 255
All Purpose Back's
1st FCS Grimes Johnathan William & Mary 5-10 201
2nd DII Lewis Jesse CSU-Pueblo 5-7 185
3rd DIII D'Andrea Chris Montclair State 5-9 190
HM DIII Tobin Colin St. Thomas 5-9 185
Center's
1st FCS Boemer Bryan Southern Illinois 6-2 317
2nd NAIA Wells Tyler Grand View College 6-5 325
3rd FCS Gradkowski Gino Delaware 6-4 295
HM DII Leopold Darrell Delta State 6-2 305
OG's
1st FCS Oram J.C. Weber State 6-4 300
1st FCS Page Nate Wofford 6-3 300
2nd FCS Schweitzer Scott Tennessee Tech 6-5 300
2nd FCS Faiella Joe Stony Brook 6-5 310
3rd DIII Smith Alex Salisbury 6-8 320
3rd NAIA Johnson Swede MidAmerica Nazarene 6-2 310
HM FCS Hall D.J. Texas State 6-3 305
HM DII Lynch Tyler Augustana (SD) 6-4 315
OT's
1st DII Hendrickson Tyler Concordia-St. Paul 6-8 318
1st FCS Compton Tom South Dakota 6-6 314
2nd NAIA Fontenot Ron Benedictine College 6-7 315
2nd FCS Cornick Paul North Dakota State 6-6 310
3rd DII Silatolu Amini Midwestern State 6-3 320
3rd DII Long Joe Wayne State (MI) 6-6 305
HM DII Schraeder Ryan Valdosta State 6-7 320
HM DII Thornton Kyle North Alabama 6-4 345
DE's
1st FCS Davis Ryan Bethune Cookman 6-4 260
1st FCS Ortiz Josue Harvard 6-4 260
2nd DII Whiteside Aston Abilene Christian 6-2 285
2nd FCS Nash Zack Sacramento State 6-4 260
3rd DII Storm Todd Michigan Tech 6-3 250
3rd DII Mayes Chris Wesley 6-3 255
HM FCS Hamilton Adrian Prairie View A&M 6-3 255
HM FCS McNally Brian New Hampshire 6-3 272
DT's
1st DII Colling Randy Gannon 6-5 325
2nd NAIA Harrison Damon William Penn 6-4 350
3rd FCS Cameron Ronnie Old Dominion 6-2 295
HM FCS Boothby Ben Northern Iowa 6-0 280
OLB's
1st DII Kilgore Chad Northwest Missouri 6-1 230
1st FCS Storms A.J. Idaho State 6-0 230
2nd DIII Marascio Anthony Lycoming 6-2 257
2nd FCS Holmes Tyler Massachusetts 6-0 225
3rd FCS Exama Cliff Grambling 5-11 235
3rd DII Moss Brent Kutztown 6-1 230
HM DIII Clark Nick Alfred University 6-2 235
HM FCS Lewis Ryan Bethune Cookman 6-1 245
ILB/MLB's
1st FCS Anderson Kadarron Furman 6-1 234
1st FCS McSurdy Caleb Montana 6-1 242
2nd FCS Fort L.J. Northern Iowa 6-1 232 2nd DII Meisner Lee CSU-Pueblo 6-0 240
3rd DII Loiseau Shawn Merrimack 6-1 245
3rd DII Wright Connor Colorado-Mesa 6-1 250
HM DIII McDonough Pat Muhlenburg 6-1 232
HM FCS Consiglio Ryan Chattanooga 6-2 222
CB's
1st FCS Robertson Bryce Bucknell 5-9 180
1st FCS Steed Ryan Furman 5-11 188
2nd FCS Johnson Trumaine Montana 6-3 210
2nd DII Hobbs Arthur Nebraska-Kearney 5-11 190
3rd FCS Felder Bobby Nicholls State 6-1 200
3rd FCS Norman Josh Coastal Carolina 6-2 190
HM DIII Dreher Derek Wisconsin-LaCrosse 6-2 205
HM FCS Jackson Asa Cal-Poly 5-11 190
FS's
1st DII Laster Clarence Southwestern 6-0 190
2nd DII Jones Jeremy Wayne State (MI) 5-10 189
3rd NAIA Craig Dustin Marian 6-1 205
HM FCS Bethel Justin Presbyterian 6-0 190
SS's
1st DII Scheff Brody Bemidji State 6-0 206
2nd DIII Brown Shawn College of New Jersey 5-10 185
3rd DIII Bierbach Ray Lycoming 5-11 200
HM DII Keaton Alton Winston-Salem 5-8 180
Punter's
1st FCS Harrington David Idaho State 6-2 185
2nd DII Kosjer Ethan Fort Hays 6-3 195
3rd NAIA Crowley Tyler Southern Oregon 6-0 185
HM DIII Schacherl Cote Howard Payne 6-3 190
PK's
1st DII Zuerlein Greg Missouri Western 6-3 190
2nd DII Major Kyle CSU-Pueblo 6-3 230
3rd FCS Estep Ryan Norfolk State 5-10 165
HM FCS Means Jordan South Alabama 6-2 200
Punt Returner's
1st DII Jenkins Janoris North Alabama 5-10 183
2nd FCS Estelle CJ Tennessee-Martin 5-9 167
3rd DII Gist Deonte' Tusculum 5-9 175
HM DII Neville Stephan Stonehill 5-8 180
Kick Returner's
1st FCS Scott Laron Georgia Southern 5-9 180
2nd DII Smith Dontae East Central 6-1 180
3rd FCS Madu Chika Nicholls State 5-8 170
HM FCS Jackolski Brock Stony Brook 5-10 198
Athletes's
1st NAIA O'Donnell Barney St. Ambrose 6-1 190
2nd DIII Mayo Marcus Ferrum 6-0 216
3rd FCS Rennie Tirrell Northern Iowa 6-0 210 HM DIII Reynolds Chris Luther 6-1 215

UNI Football Holds Year-End Awards Banquet

The University of Northern Iowa football team held its 2011 awards banquet on Sun., Jan. 15, in the UNI-Dome. The Panthers were recognized for the honors and accolades that followed a 10-3 season, a share of the Missouri Valley Football Conference championship, and a berth in the NCAA FCS Quarterfinals.

2011 awards presented included:
Defensive Back Hammer Award - Garrett Scott
Defensive Line Hammer Award - Ben Boothby
Super Hammer Award - L.J. Fort
Don Erusha Offensive Lineman Award - Jay Teply
Scout Team Offensive MVP: Sam Rohr
Scout Team Defensive MVP: Isaac Ales
Most Valuable Players (as voted on by the team):
Special Teams - Tyler Sievertsen
Offensive - Tirrell Rennie
Defensive - L.J. Fort
Oil Can Award - Augie Hadenfeldt

2011 UNI Football Honors

Team
Ranked as high as No. 2 in The Sports Network and coaches' polls
Finished the season at No. 5 in the FCS Coaches Poll
Finished the season at No. 6 in The Sports Network Top 25 Poll
Between the two polls:   10 of the last 11 seasons in the Top 25
                                   6 of the last 11 seasons in the Top 5
6th season with at least 10 wins since 2001
Share of 16th MVFC Championship and 7th title since 2001
12th appearance in the FCS Quarterfinals
No. 11 nationally in turnover margin
No. 12 nationally in scoring defense
No. 1 in MVFC in pass defense

L.J. FortFCS national leader in total tackles (184) and tackles per game (14.15)
Set UNI single-season record for tackles (184)
No. 2 in all of Division I football (FBS & FCS combined) in total tackles and tackles per game
Runner-up for the Buck Buchanan Award (FCS national defensive player of the year)
FCS National Defensive Player of the Year (College Sporting News)
FCS National Defensive Player of the Year (College Sports Madness)
FCS Linebacker of the Year (College Football Performance Awards)
MVFC Defensive Player of the Year
Walter Camp FCS All-American
First team All-American (The Sports Network)
First team All-American (Phil Steele)
First team All-American (College Sports Madness)
First team All-American (Beyond Sports College Network)
Third team All-American (Associated Press)
First team All-MVFC
Co-Defensive National Player of the Week (The Sports Network - Dec. 5)
MVFC Defensive Player of the Week following Illinois State (11/19)

Ben BoothbyFinished 9th in the voting for the Buck Buchanan Award (FCS national defensive player of the year)
Semifinalist for William V. Campbell Trophy (academic Heisman)
Capital One Academic All-American (first team)
Capital One Academic All-District (first team)
FCS Athletic Directors Association Academic All-Star Team
One of 12 finalists for FCS Athletic Directors Association $5,000 postgraduate scholarship
FCS Defensive Tackle of the Year (College Football Performance Awards)
AFCA FCS All American
First team All-American (Associated Press)
First team All-American (Phil Steele)
First team All-American (College Sports Madness)
Fabulous 50 FCS All-American Team (College Sporting News)
Second team All-American (The Sports Network)
First team MVFC All-Academic Team
First team All-MVFC
MVFC leader in tackles-for-loss (18.5)
Finalist for ARA Sportsmanship Award
Missouri Valley Conference State Farm "Good Neighbor Award"
Winner of the Variety Trophy - presented by Variety Children's Charity to most outstanding UNI senior

Tyler Sievertsen2nd in FCS in field goal percentage (18-of-20, 90 percent)
First team All-American (Beyond Sports College Network)
Second team All-American (The Sports Network)
Second team All-American (Phil Steele)
Third team All-American (Associated Press)
One of 10 finalists for the Fred Mitchell Award (nation's top FCS, D2, D3, NAIA or NJCAA kicker)
First team All-MVFC
MVFC Special Teams Player of the Week following Illinois State (11/19)
MVFC Special Teams Player of the Week following Indiana State (10/8)
MVFC Special Teams Player of the Week following Iowa State (9/3)

Jay TeplyThird team All-American (Beyond Sports College Network)
First team All-MVFC
MVFC Offensive Lineman of the Week following Southern Utah (11/12)

David JohnsonFinished fourth in voting for the Jerry Rice Award (nation's top FCS freshman)
Runner-up for MVFC Freshman of the Year
Finished fourth for MVFC Newcomer of the Year
MVFC All-Newcomer Team
Honorable mention All-MVFC
MVFC Newcomer of the Week following Stephen F. Austin (9/10)
MVFC Newcomer of the Week following Iowa State (9/3)

Tirrell RennieFinished 12th in voting for the Walter Payton Award (nation's top FCS player)
First team All-MVFC
Runner-up for MVFC Offensive Player of the Year for second consecutive season
MVFC Offensive Player of the Week following Stephen F. Austin (9/10)

Varmah SonieFirst team All-MVFC

Jordan SmithSecond team All-MVFC
MVFC Defensive Player of the Week following Stephen F. Austin (9/10)

Jarred HerringCapital One Academic All-District (first team)
First team MVFC All-Academic team
Honorable mention All-MVFC

Darren BranchHonorable mention All-MVFC

Kyle BernardSecond team MVFC All-Academic team

Jared LanpherMVFC Newcomer of the Week following Youngstown State (11/5)

CFPA Crowns Boothby DT of the Year, Fort LB of the Year

University of Northern Iowa senior Ben Boothby has been crowned the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Defensive Tackle of the Year, and senior L.J. Fort has been chosen as the FCS Linebacker of the Year by College Football Performance Awards, the organization announced Thursday.
UNI is the only school in the nation represented by two CFPA Players of the Year.
The goal of the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) is to provide the most scientifically rigorous honors in college football. CFPA recognizes weekly, annual, and career award recipients - selected based upon objective scientific rankings of the extent to which individual players increase the overall effectiveness of their teams.
After an extensive review of the existing data, literature, and evidence, it was determined that Boothby and Fort finished the 2011 season with the strongest defensive tackle and linebacker performances, respectively, in Division I FCS college football.
CFPA FCS Players of the Year
National Performer of the Year -- Taylor Heinicke, Old Dominion
National Defensive Performer of the Year -- Ryan Davis, Bethune-Cookman
National Freshman Performer of the Year -- Taylor Heinicke, Old Dominion
Quarterback Award -- Taylor Heinicke, Old Dominion
Running Back Award -- Terrance West, Towson
Wide Receiver Award -- Aaron Mellette, Elon
Tight End Award -- Colin Anderson, Furman
Defensive End Award -- Corey Hart, Alabama A&M
Defensive Tackle Award -- Ben Boothby, UNI
Linebacker Award -- L.J. Fort, UNI Defensive Back Award -- Marcus Williams, North Dakota State
Placekicker Award -- Zach Brown, Portland State
Punter Award -- Patrick Murray, Fordham
Punt Returner Award -- Asa Jackson, Cal Poly
Kickoff Returner Award -- Laron Scott, Georgia Southern
L.J. Fort - 2011 Season Awards and AccomplishmentsFCS national leader in total tackles (184) and tackles per game (14.15)
Set UNI single-season record for tackles (184)
No. 2 in all of Division I football (FBS & FCS combined) in total tackles and tackles per game
Runner-up for the Buck Buchanan Award (FCS national defensive player of the year)
FCS National Defensive Player of the Year (College Sporting News)
FCS National Defensive Player of the Year (College Sports Madness)
MVFC Defensive Player of the Year
Walter Camp FCS All-American
First team All-American (The Sports Network)
First team All-American (Phil Steele)
First team All-American (College Sports Madness)
First team All-American (Beyond Sports College Network)
Third team All-American (Associated Press)
First team All-MVFC
Co-Defensive National Player of the Week (The Sports Network - Dec. 5)
MVFC Defensive Player of the Week following Illinois State (11/19)
Ben Boothby - 2011 Season Awards and AccomplishmentsFinished 9th in the voting for the Buck Buchanan Award (FCS national defensive player of the year)
Semifinalist for William V. Campbell Trophy (academic Heisman)
Capital One Academic All-American (first team)
Capital One Academic All-District (first team)
FCS Athletic Directors Association Academic All-Star Team
One of 12 finalists for FCS Athletic Directors Association $5,000 postgraduate scholarship
AFCA FCS All American
First team All-American (Associated Press)
First team All-American (Phil Steele)
First team All-American (College Sports Madness)
Fabulous 50 FCS All-American Team (College Sporting News)
Second team All-American (The Sports Network)
First team MVFC All-Academic Team
First team All-MVFC
MVFC leader in tackles-for-loss (18.5)
Finalist for ARA Sportsmanship Award
Missouri Valley Conference State Farm "Good Neighbor Award"

Northern Iowa to visit pair of Big Ten schools in 2012

             Northern Iowa will visit a pair of Big Ten schools and play five home games as part of an 11-game schedule announced on Wednesday.
The Panthers, the Missouri Valley Football Conference co-champions who finished 10-3 this season, will open the season at Wisconsin (Sept. 1) and visit Iowa on Sept. 15.
Northern Iowa also will play road games at Youngstown State (Sept. 22), Southern Illinois (Oct. 13), Western Illinois (Nov. 3) and South Dakota (Nov. 10).
Northern Iowa's home opener is Sept. 8 against Savannah State, the lone non- conference home game of the season, and it also will host North Dakota State (Sept. 29), South Dakota State (Oct. 20), Illinois State (Oct. 27) and Missouri State (Nov. 17).
With the MVFC expanding to 10 teams, Northern Iowa and Indiana State will not meet for the first time since 1985.

2012 Northern Iowa University Football Schedule
Sept. 1, at Wisconsin, Madison, Wisc.
Sept. 8, Savannah State, UNI Dome
Sept. 15, at Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
Sept. 22, at Youngstown State, Youngstown, Ohio
Sept. 29, North Dakota State, UNI Dome
Oct. 13, at Southern Illinois, Carbondale, Ill.
Oct. 20, South Dakota State, UNI Dome
Oct. 27, Illinois State, UNI Dome
Nov. 3, at Western Illinois, Macomb, Ill.
Nov. 10, at South Dakota, Vermillion, S.D.
Nov. 17, Missouri State, UNI Dome

EWU's Mitchell captures Walter Payton Award

As the injuries mounted for the Eastern Washington football team this season, Bo Levi Mitchell's production increased when most quarterbacks would have endured a decline.
Mitchell was all too happy to put the Eagles on his throwing shoulder and carry them.
Friday night, the senior was honored for his record-setting season with the 2011 Walter Payton Award, which goes to the outstanding player in the Football Championship Subdivision. The 25th annual award, the most prestigious in the division, is presented by The Sports Network and sponsored by Fathead.com.
Mitchell, who one year ago was named the most outstanding performer when Eastern Washington won the FCS championship game in Frisco, collected 57 first-place votes and 453 points from a national panel of 131 sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries. Lehigh quarterback Chris Lum and Indiana State running back Shakir Bell, who also were on hand at the FCS awards presentation, tied for second in the voting with 219 points each.
"He worked at (development) and we saw the growth -- he worked hard to develop his skills and was tireless at studying video in order to better understand and operate our offense," EWU head coach Beau Baldwin said of Mitchell, who transferred to the Big Sky Conference school from SMU following his sophomore year. "It culminated with his production this season and the way our team ended the year with six wins in our last seven games. I couldn't be more proud of what he accomplished here."
The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Mitchell led the nation in passing yards (4,009) and touchdown passes (33) during the regular season. As Eastern Washington's offense suffered seven key injuries (including five that were season-ending), the Big Sky's offensive player of the year averaged 364.5 passing yards per game, which ranks ninth in FCS history. He completed 318-of-503 attempts (63.2 percent), with 13 interceptions. The Eagles finished with a 6-5 record.
"I'm blessed with more receivers around me that are so good," said Mitchell, who is the first-team quarterback on The Sports Network/Fathead.com FCS All- America Team.
Mitchell, from Katy, Texas, is the second player from Eastern Washington to win the Payton Award -- quarterback Erik Meyer won in 2005 -- and the sixth winner from the Big Sky.
Lum, a 6-2, 205-pound senior, led Lehigh to a second straight unbeaten season in Patriot League play and was named the league's offensive player of the year. As the Mountain Hawks finished 10-1 in the regular season, Lum ranked third in the FCS in passing yards per game (348.6) and second in touchdown passes (31). He completed 297-of-443 attempts (67 percent) for 3,739 yards, with 15 interceptions.
Bell, a 5-foot-7, 185-pound sophomore, was the FCS rushing leader (1,670 yards, 151.8 per game) during the regular season. Named the Missouri Valley Football Conference Offensive Player of the Year, he scored 14 touchdowns and averaged 7.3 yards per carry. The Sycamores posted their second straight winning season with a 6-5 record.
In addition to Mitchell winning the Payton Award at the national awards presentation, New Hampshire junior linebacker Matt Evans captured the Buck Buchanan Award, which is given to the FCS' outstanding defensive player; Towson running back Terrance West won the inaugural Jerry Rice Award for FCS freshman of the year; and Towson's Rob Ambrose won the Eddie Robinson Award, which honors the FCS' coach of the year. The Sports Network presents and Fathead.com also sponsors those three awards.
Walter Payton Award Voting.........1st....2nd....3rd....4th....5th....Total
1. Bo Levi Mitchell, E. Washington.57.....28.....11......8......7.....453
2T. Chris Lum, Lehigh...............16.....13.....17.....12.....12.....219
2T. Shakir Bell, Indiana State......10.....20.....12.....18.....17.....219
4. Jonathan Grimes, Wm. & Mary.....10.....16......9.....18......8.....185
5. Aaron Mellette, Elon.............2......5.....17.....21.....21.....144
6. Terrance West, Towson............5.....11.....11......5......8.....120
7. Tim Flanders, Sam Houston St....10......7......5......6......7.....112
8. Kevin Decker, New Hampshire......5......4......9......9......9......95
9. Jordan Brown, Bryant.............2......8.....11......7......5......94
10. Casey Therriault, Jackson State..3......7......8......7......5......86
11. Casey Brockman, Murray State.....3......5......7......5......7......73
12. Tirrell Rennie, Northern Iowa....3......3......2......1......4......39
13. DeNarius McGhee, Montana State...3......0......2......3......8......35
14. Eric Breitenstein, Wofford.......2......2......3......1......1......30
15. Brian Quick, Appalachian State...0......2......5......1......2......27
16. Andrew Pierce, Delaware..........1......0......1......1......3......13
17. Mike Brown, Liberty..............0......0......1......3......1......10
18. Brad Sorensen, Southern Utah.....0......0......0......3......2.......8
19T.Jamaine Cook, Youngstown State...0......1......0......0......2.......6
19T.Rodrick Rumble, Idaho State......0......0......0......2......2.......6
21. *Matt Denham, Eastern Kentucky...0......0......1......1......0.......5
22. *Tre Gray, Richmond.... .....0......0......0......0......1.......1

Griz focus on Rennie:Montana Defense knows it can't let slippery UNI QB run wild

 

No. 2 Northern Iowa at No. 5 Montana

Kickoff: 6 p.m. MST.
Venue: Washington-Grizzly Stadium (25,217, SprinTurf)
Forecast: 25 degrees and clear at kickoff.
Tickets: Blocks of tickets remain at $26; as of 5 p.m. Thursday 21,688 had been sold. The Adams Center ticket office opens at 8:30 a.m. Friday.
TV: ESPN, which is channel 35 for Bresnan/Optimum, Ch. 140 for Dish Network and Ch. 206 for DirecTV (Justin Kutcher and Tom Lugenbill).
Radio: KGVO-AM 1290 (Mick Holien, Scott Gurnsey and Greg Sundberg).
On the net: www.espn3.com, montanagrizzlies.com and gogriz.com.
Records: UM is 10-2; UNI is 10-2.
Series history: Montana leads 4-0.
Coaches: Robin Pflugrad is 17-6 in his second season at Montana. Mark Farley is 99-39 in his 11th season at Northern Iowa.

When the lights go on Friday - on the ESPN cameras, on the Musco Lighting trucks, on the "M" - a lot of people are going to get their first real look at Northern Iowa quarterback Tirrell Rennie.
That includes the No. 5-ranked Montana Grizzlies, who host Rennie and the UNI Panthers in a Football Championship Subdivision quarterfinal game at Washington-Grizzly Stadium.
In a matchup of quick and aggressive defensive lines, huge offensive lines, monster middle linebackers and great corners on each team - good thing these guys will sport different colors Friday - Rennie would seem to be the key.
The fleet senior quarterback has thrown for 13 touchdowns and run for nine, and he's the leading rusher for the No. 2-ranked Panthers.
"You look at their line, they're huge," said Caleb McSurdy, UM's answer to UNI middle linebacker L.J. Fort. "They're physical guys. They have great skill people on the perimeter and their tailbacks are awesome.
"And the quarterback makes it all go, and he's a really good passer. He takes care of the ball. He doesn't cough it up running."
Rennie runs a lot more than Montana quarterback Jordan Johnson, who is responsible for 19 TDs for the 10-2 Grizzlies. The closest thing UM has seen to Rennie is Portland State's Connor Kavanaugh.
That was in a 30-24 UM victory in which the Griz trailed 21-10 at halftime. Back then slow starts were the norm, but Montana comes in on a pretty decent four-quarter roll.
UNI coach Mark Farley has noticed.
"I see guys that play hard and I see a unit," said Farley, who guided the Panthers against the Griz in 2001, a 38-0 FCS semifinal loss in Missoula. "They don't make mental errors and they play hard and they look like they really enjoy the game.
"Those are the tough ones to beat. Those are the guys that can line up and sustain winning."
Three current UNI offensive assistants coached in the 2001 game alongside Farley; so, of course, did Montana defensive coordinator Mike Breske.
Farley hopes a good run game will keep Breske's defense from dictating things in front of what will be large and boisterous home crowd.
"When you play at Montana, with the elements and things like that, you need a balanced attack," he said. "You need to be sound in what you do because they'll know how to attack you."
Northern Iowa trailed Wofford 14-7 at halftime last week, but survived 466 rushing yards by the option-based Terriers and won, 28-14. Rennie ran for 88 yards in the second half to spark the Panthers.
"Once we started moving the football I thought we did a good job ... of keeping that balance," Farley said.
He sees that same balance from the Griz.
"They're kind of what I call, ‘Montana good,' " Farley said. "They've got a great running back, a great quarterback. The O-line is big, physical. They're what I envisioned Montana to be when I watched them on film."
Johnson's play has grown consistent while the Grizzlies' running game has flourished. He went 152 passes without an interception before throwing a pair in UM's 41-14 second-round playoff win over Central Arkansas.
Similarities between the teams are everywhere: Jabin Sambrano leads UM with 32 catches and Jarred Herring shares the UNI lead with running back David Johnson at 31.
Sambrano has 13 TDs this season for UM, nine receiving; Jarred Herring has five TD catches this season and 17 for his career.
Houston Roots and All-American Trumaine Johnson man the corners for UM, and Griz coach Pflugrad calls UNI corners Varmah Sonie and J.J. Swain the best Montana has played in 2011.
"And I know we've played Tennessee," Pflugrad said. "One of them (the 5-foot-9 Sonie) is not very big, but I tell you what, he gets around blocks and he blows up the bubble screens."
The Panthers' defensive leaders are Buck Buchanan Award candidates Ben Boothby, a defensive tackle, and Fort.
"Their defensive line is a lot like ours," Pflugrad said. "Not overly big but extremely quick, and they play with great passion. They do a lot of line games, where they're twisting and spinning and crossing, which can cause some havoc as far as your pass protections."
Something would seem to have to give Friday. Both teams are sack-happy, but UM has allowed few. Both teams are way up in turnover margin. Both have spot-on place-kickers - Tyler Sievertsen for UNI, Brody McKnight for the Griz.
So all things being equal, Rennie could be the key.
"He's their guy, and can you stop a guy like that? Probably not," said McSurdy. "But we're going to try to limit him as much as we possibly can on Friday, because he is such a threat running the ball and throwing the ball."

Panthers, Montana prepare for national stage

Purchase Image

Northern Iowa's Ben Boothby celebrates after recording a sack against Indiana State. / BILL NEIBERGALL / REGISTER PHOTO

 

QUARTERFINALS
Friday, Dec. 9
7:00 -- Northern Iowa (10-2) at Montana (10-2), 8 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 10
11 a.m. -- Montana State (10-2) at Sam Houston State (12-0)
1:00 -- Maine (9-3) at Georgia Southern (10-2)
3:00 -- Lehigh (11-1) at North Dakota State (11-1)

SEMIFINALS
Friday, Dec. 16 or Saturday, Dec. 17
-- Northern Iowa-Montana winner vs. Montana State-Sam Houston State winner
-- Maine-Georgia Southern winner vs. Lehigh-North Dakota State winner

CHAMPIONSHIP
Friday, Jan. 7 at Pizza Hut Park; Frisco, Texas
Noon -- Semifinal winners

The Northern Iowa football team normally plays on busy Saturdays when there are dozens of games on television.

Not this time.

The second-ranked Panthers and fifth-ranked Montana Grizzlies will have the national stage all to themselves Friday night when they clash in the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs.

The battle at Washington-Grizzly Stadium is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. (Central time) and will be televised by ESPN. If you want to watch a college football game on TV Friday night, this is the one.

All of the major college teams in the country have the weekend off, and all the other quarterfinal games in the FCS playoffs will be held Saturday.

“It’s great for our program and it’s awesome for our university,” Northern Iowa coach Mark Farley said. “To me, every sports bar in the country will have that football game on, because I believe it’s the only game that night.”

Northern Iowa will get three hours of free exposure on the most prominent sports network in the country.

“For our university and for our program, we can’t simulate that,” Farley said. “That’s why this is not only a great opportunity for our players, but also for us to demonstrate about the University of Northern Iowa. So it’s a neat deal for everybody.”

It also could be a tough deal for the Panthers, because Montana has an imposing 18-1 record in home playoff games in December. Overall, the Grizzlies are 28-6 in home playoff games and 2-8 in road games, which is why the seeding for the FCS playoffs was so important.

Northern Iowa (10-2) is ranked No.2 and No.3 in the major polls, yet drew the No.5 seed for the playoffs. Montana (10-2) is ranked No.5 in the polls, but drew the No.4 seed. The Grizzlies got the home game because they have the higher seed.

Farley has refused to complain, but admitted he found the whole thing “very odd.”

It will be cold in Missoula, Mont. on Friday night, with the temperature possibly dropping into the teens, and the Grizzlies will have a vocal crowd of more than 25,000 fans.

Northern Iowa will be battling the elements, battling the crowd, battling the home-field advantage and battling an extremely good football team. Montana beat then-No.1 Montana State in its final game of the regular season to claim a share of the Big Sky Conference title.

“They’re actually better than I anticipated, and I anticipated a great football team,” Farley said.

Montana linebacker Caleb McSurdy and defensive back Trumaine Johnson were named to the FCS All-America team this week. McSurdy was named the Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year.

Northern Iowa counters with defensive tackle Ben Boothby, who also was named an FCS All-American, and linebacker L.J. Fort, who was named the Defensive Player of the Year in the Missouri Valley Conference.

Montana quarterback Jordan Johnson has passed for 1,927 yards and 17 touchdowns. He likes to spread the ball around, and 11 different Grizzles have caught at least nine passes this season. Peter Nguyen leads their running attack with 768 yards.

Northern Iowa relies heavily on quarterback Tirrell Rennie, who has passed for 1,709 yards and run for a team-best 834 yards. Rennie has accounted for 22 touchdowns with his arm and legs.

The winner of Friday’s game will advance to the FCS semifinals next weekend against Sam Houston State or Montana State. If Northern Iowa wins, it would host Montana State in the semifinals but would travel to Sam Houston State.
Northern Iowa's scores and game stats

Montana's season scores and game stats

FRIDAY'S GAME

WHAT: Northern Iowa (10-2) at Montana (10-2) in quarterfinals of FCS playoffs.

WHEN: 7:05 p.m. (Central time), ESPN.

WHERE: Washington-Grizzly Stadium (25,200), Missoula, Mont.

THE MATCHUP: Northern Iowa is 0-4 all-time against Montana, including 0-3 on the road and 0-2 in the playoffs. The Panthers are 7-4 in the FCS quarterfinals, but 1-3 on the road. Northern Iowa linebacker L.J. Fort leads the nation in tackles (167) and is four stops away from setting a school record. The Panthers have been outgained by 450 yards in their last two games, yet managed to defeat Illinois State (23-20 in 2 OTs) and Wofford (28-21). Northern Iowa coach Mark Farley is seeking his 100th victory in 11 years with the Panthers. Montana coach Robin Pflugrad is 16-6 in two years with the Grizzlies and was named the Big Sky Coach of the Year.
Northern Iowa's individual stat leaders

Montana's individual stat leaders