The tests never stop.
Saturday, Northern Iowa goes to South Dakota State to continue a critical stretch of the Missouri Valley Football Conference schedule.
That's the next test. The last test came Saturday night, when UNI fought off Indiana State, 23-9, to take first place in the league standings.
That battle with the Sycamores, in turn, tested the Panthers' depth, specifically at running back.
Carlos Anderson rested his ankle injury for the third consecutive Saturday. He watched David Johnson, once again, carry the load at running back. Johnson rushed 20 times for 92 yards and a touchdown.
Then Johnson, while bullying his way to a 21-yard run midway through the fourth quarter, suffered an injury. On came Zach Cutkomp, who carried nine times for 25 yards on two UNI scoring drives. Tirrell Rennie threw a 36-yard touchdown pass to Terrell Sinkfield and Tyler Sievertsen kicked a 21-yard field goal.
Sunday, Panther head coach Mark Farley declined to be specific on what exactly happened to Johnson.
"I'd rather wait," he said. "(Johnson) appeared to be all right ...It was more of a shock. That's what it turned out to be."
As for Cutkomp, Farley said, "I thought he did very well. He had ball security, hit the holes and continued to run. It's nice to see when a third back gets in there and is productive."
Then there's the veteran back. Anderson participated in pregame drills Saturday, but Farley made the decision to keep him on the sidelines just before kickoff.
Anderson may make his comeback next Saturday at SDSU, said Farley.
"I wanted to play him, but at the same time I didn't want to put him out there one week too early," said Farley. "Hopefully, we made the right decision and he'll be ready to roll this week now."
Test one in a key four-game stretch is in the books with the win over Indiana State.
Now, the Panthers, having won four in a row go to Brookings. South Dakota State Saturday ended a four-game losing streak by beating Youngstown State. UNI also lost to the Jackrabbits two years ago.
After the trip to SDSU, the Panthers host Southern Illinois. Then, on Oct. 29, it's off to the Fargodome and North Dakota State. The unbeaten Bison are a half-game behind UNI in the Valley Football standings.
Everyone in Panther colors knows what the next three games mean and what must be done.
"Definitely, coach Farley made us aware of that - that we had the toughest part of the schedule coming up and we had to put our head down and keep hammering away," said linebacker L.J. Fort.
Said Farley, "I think we got the right team to attack that stretch of games."
HOT PURSUIT: At one point in the first half, UNI's defense had an extra man on the field. To avoid the penalty, Farley called time out, but he had to sprint down the sideline to find an official since Indiana State was in the red zone.
"Good speed, huh?" said Farley, grinning. "No, I didn't blow a (hamstring) on that one."
GOING TO THE WELLINGTON: Former running back Wilmot Wellington has been a regular on special teams. Saturday, he got extended time with the defense, making six tackles as a backup safety.
"The more special teams plays he's making, the more snaps he's getting on defense," said Farley. "He's getting better and better each week."
SIEVERTSEN HONORED: Sophomore kicker Tyler Sievertsen of Cedar Rapids has been named the Missouri Valley Football Conference's special teams player of the week, the league announced Sunday.
Sievertsen was a perfect 3-of-3 on field goals and 2-of-2 on PATs in the 23-9 win, posting a new career-high with 11 points. He connected on field goals from 48, 37 and 21 yards, with the 48-yarder being a new career-long. Sievertsen also notched two touchbacks in the Panthers' win.
Sievertsen is a perfect 18-of-18 on PATs and 8-of-9 on field goal attempts this season.
Saturday, Northern Iowa goes to South Dakota State to continue a critical stretch of the Missouri Valley Football Conference schedule.
That's the next test. The last test came Saturday night, when UNI fought off Indiana State, 23-9, to take first place in the league standings.
That battle with the Sycamores, in turn, tested the Panthers' depth, specifically at running back.
Carlos Anderson rested his ankle injury for the third consecutive Saturday. He watched David Johnson, once again, carry the load at running back. Johnson rushed 20 times for 92 yards and a touchdown.
Then Johnson, while bullying his way to a 21-yard run midway through the fourth quarter, suffered an injury. On came Zach Cutkomp, who carried nine times for 25 yards on two UNI scoring drives. Tirrell Rennie threw a 36-yard touchdown pass to Terrell Sinkfield and Tyler Sievertsen kicked a 21-yard field goal.
Sunday, Panther head coach Mark Farley declined to be specific on what exactly happened to Johnson.
"I'd rather wait," he said. "(Johnson) appeared to be all right ...It was more of a shock. That's what it turned out to be."
As for Cutkomp, Farley said, "I thought he did very well. He had ball security, hit the holes and continued to run. It's nice to see when a third back gets in there and is productive."
Then there's the veteran back. Anderson participated in pregame drills Saturday, but Farley made the decision to keep him on the sidelines just before kickoff.
Anderson may make his comeback next Saturday at SDSU, said Farley.
"I wanted to play him, but at the same time I didn't want to put him out there one week too early," said Farley. "Hopefully, we made the right decision and he'll be ready to roll this week now."
Test one in a key four-game stretch is in the books with the win over Indiana State.
Now, the Panthers, having won four in a row go to Brookings. South Dakota State Saturday ended a four-game losing streak by beating Youngstown State. UNI also lost to the Jackrabbits two years ago.
After the trip to SDSU, the Panthers host Southern Illinois. Then, on Oct. 29, it's off to the Fargodome and North Dakota State. The unbeaten Bison are a half-game behind UNI in the Valley Football standings.
Everyone in Panther colors knows what the next three games mean and what must be done.
"Definitely, coach Farley made us aware of that - that we had the toughest part of the schedule coming up and we had to put our head down and keep hammering away," said linebacker L.J. Fort.
Said Farley, "I think we got the right team to attack that stretch of games."
HOT PURSUIT: At one point in the first half, UNI's defense had an extra man on the field. To avoid the penalty, Farley called time out, but he had to sprint down the sideline to find an official since Indiana State was in the red zone.
"Good speed, huh?" said Farley, grinning. "No, I didn't blow a (hamstring) on that one."
GOING TO THE WELLINGTON: Former running back Wilmot Wellington has been a regular on special teams. Saturday, he got extended time with the defense, making six tackles as a backup safety.
"The more special teams plays he's making, the more snaps he's getting on defense," said Farley. "He's getting better and better each week."
SIEVERTSEN HONORED: Sophomore kicker Tyler Sievertsen of Cedar Rapids has been named the Missouri Valley Football Conference's special teams player of the week, the league announced Sunday.
Sievertsen was a perfect 3-of-3 on field goals and 2-of-2 on PATs in the 23-9 win, posting a new career-high with 11 points. He connected on field goals from 48, 37 and 21 yards, with the 48-yarder being a new career-long. Sievertsen also notched two touchbacks in the Panthers' win.
Sievertsen is a perfect 18-of-18 on PATs and 8-of-9 on field goal attempts this season.
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