Northern Iowa quarterback Tirrell Rennie ran for more yards than he threw for last year against SIU.
Don't expect that to happen this weekend, when the second-ranked Panthers welcome the Salukis back to the UNI-Dome.
Rennie, a Payton Award nominee and a preseason first-team all-conference pick, rushed for 126 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries in last year's 45-38 overtime loss at SIU. The 6-foot, 201-pound senior passed for 87 yards on 15 attempts that day, but has improved his throwing ability so much this season he's even more of a dual threat, according to SIU coach Dale Lennon.
"He's tough to grab on to in the backfield. He has great speed. He can score from anywhere on the field, so, he's that big-play threat for them," Lennon said. "He has a good running back corps that complements him, and his receivers have been making big catches. Plus, he's improved his passing game, and I think that's something that you really see as different from last year to this year. He's much more accurate with his throws."
Rennie is yet to be intercepted in his last 123 attempts, including his final two throws last season. It is the third-longest streak in the Football Championship Subdivision and 15 from tying Eric Sanders' school record. Through six games, Rennie is 73-of-121 for 1,064 yards and nine touchdowns. The team's second-leading rusher behind freshman David Johnson, he has 502 yards and five touchdowns on 84 attempts.
Defensively, SIU will face its second top-five team in the last three weeks when it ventures to the UNI-Dome.
The Panthers moved up to second in the country in scoring defense after their 31-14 win at South Dakota State. No MVFC team this season has scored more than 14 points against UNI, which has two Buchanan Award candidates in defensive lineman Ben Boothby and linebacker L.J. Fort.
Etc.: Sophomore Kory Faulkner will start for SIU this weekend for the injured Paul McIntosh. Lennon said Monday that McIntosh's rehab has not gone as well as planned thus far. ... Freshman offensive lineman Tanner Crum is expected to start at left guard this weekend. ... Lennon is 4-0 lifetime against UNI, including two wins at the UNI-Dome. He led North Dakota to a win there in 2006 and led the Salukis to a 27-20 win there in 2009. UNI leads the series, 15-14.
Don't expect that to happen this weekend, when the second-ranked Panthers welcome the Salukis back to the UNI-Dome.
Rennie, a Payton Award nominee and a preseason first-team all-conference pick, rushed for 126 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries in last year's 45-38 overtime loss at SIU. The 6-foot, 201-pound senior passed for 87 yards on 15 attempts that day, but has improved his throwing ability so much this season he's even more of a dual threat, according to SIU coach Dale Lennon.
"He's tough to grab on to in the backfield. He has great speed. He can score from anywhere on the field, so, he's that big-play threat for them," Lennon said. "He has a good running back corps that complements him, and his receivers have been making big catches. Plus, he's improved his passing game, and I think that's something that you really see as different from last year to this year. He's much more accurate with his throws."
Rennie is yet to be intercepted in his last 123 attempts, including his final two throws last season. It is the third-longest streak in the Football Championship Subdivision and 15 from tying Eric Sanders' school record. Through six games, Rennie is 73-of-121 for 1,064 yards and nine touchdowns. The team's second-leading rusher behind freshman David Johnson, he has 502 yards and five touchdowns on 84 attempts.
Defensively, SIU will face its second top-five team in the last three weeks when it ventures to the UNI-Dome.
The Panthers moved up to second in the country in scoring defense after their 31-14 win at South Dakota State. No MVFC team this season has scored more than 14 points against UNI, which has two Buchanan Award candidates in defensive lineman Ben Boothby and linebacker L.J. Fort.
Etc.: Sophomore Kory Faulkner will start for SIU this weekend for the injured Paul McIntosh. Lennon said Monday that McIntosh's rehab has not gone as well as planned thus far. ... Freshman offensive lineman Tanner Crum is expected to start at left guard this weekend. ... Lennon is 4-0 lifetime against UNI, including two wins at the UNI-Dome. He led North Dakota to a win there in 2006 and led the Salukis to a 27-20 win there in 2009. UNI leads the series, 15-14.
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