UNI boots off top receivers after drug arrest
Posted: Tuesday, November 18, 2008
CEDAR FALLS (LEE) -- Anyone who underestimates Northern Iowa's post-season prospects is a gambler, according to Mark Farley.
Monday, the Panthers' head coach dealt with several questions about the dismissal of wide receivers Johnny Gray and Victor Williams. Asked if it might get tougher to make a deep run in the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs without the two seniors, Farley threw a bit of advice on the table.
"I would answer that with the thought that if you want to bet against this team, go ahead," said the UNI coach. "But, I'd bet ... I'd be very careful because ...."
Here Farley paused and then added, "Enough said."
During Monday's press conference Farley announced that Gray and Williams were no longer part of the football program in the wake of their arrests on possession of marijuana charges. Meanwhile, the season goes on for the 2008 Panthers. Saturday, they travel to Southern Utah for the 2 p.m. regular season finale.
After that, UNI will step into the FCS playoffs.
The Missouri Valley Football Conference's automatic bid can still belong to the Panthers Southern Illinois loses at Illinois State Saturday. Should the Salukis win, they finish in a tie for the league title with UNI. Thanks to its victory over Farley's team in September, SIU would then get the automatic berth, with an at-large spot probably going to the Panthers.
A top four seed also remains a possibility for UNI. Farley dismissed the notion that the departure of Gray and Williams makes his team a less attractive option when the FCS committee makes its choices.
"I would hope not," said Farley.
He added, "We've probably played 50 people throughout this season at some time or another as a starter. So if you want to count two people as making a difference in our program, then you're totally wrong. This program is not built for one person and it's not built where one person can carry it."
Farley pointed out that UNI dealt with replacing quarterback Eric Sanders by turning to Pat Grace. When a knee injury took down Grace, Zach Davis stepped in and guided the offense through three road victories.
"There's always one (player) to come, " said Farley. "If we've done our job, that's why we'll continue to make the decisions -- long term -- to make sure this is always a sound program and it's not built around one person."
Saturday, Farley and UNI will encounter a person who's trying to build a program.
Brigham Young graduate Ed Lamb is about to conclude his first season as Southern Utah's head coach. The 2008 Thunderbirds are 4-6 overall, including a 42-20 loss to South Dakota last Saturday. The Coyotes, who tested the Panthers in a non-conference game at the UNI-Dome before losing, claimed its first victory over a FCS program.
Farley, though, sounded a cautionary note. He points to a rugged schedule that included games with Air Force, Montana and Cal Poly.
"On film, they're a good team," he said. "They're throwing the football very well and the new coach this year is doing a nice job."
Monday, the Panthers' head coach dealt with several questions about the dismissal of wide receivers Johnny Gray and Victor Williams. Asked if it might get tougher to make a deep run in the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs without the two seniors, Farley threw a bit of advice on the table.
"I would answer that with the thought that if you want to bet against this team, go ahead," said the UNI coach. "But, I'd bet ... I'd be very careful because ...."
Here Farley paused and then added, "Enough said."
During Monday's press conference Farley announced that Gray and Williams were no longer part of the football program in the wake of their arrests on possession of marijuana charges. Meanwhile, the season goes on for the 2008 Panthers. Saturday, they travel to Southern Utah for the 2 p.m. regular season finale.
After that, UNI will step into the FCS playoffs.
The Missouri Valley Football Conference's automatic bid can still belong to the Panthers Southern Illinois loses at Illinois State Saturday. Should the Salukis win, they finish in a tie for the league title with UNI. Thanks to its victory over Farley's team in September, SIU would then get the automatic berth, with an at-large spot probably going to the Panthers.
A top four seed also remains a possibility for UNI. Farley dismissed the notion that the departure of Gray and Williams makes his team a less attractive option when the FCS committee makes its choices.
"I would hope not," said Farley.
He added, "We've probably played 50 people throughout this season at some time or another as a starter. So if you want to count two people as making a difference in our program, then you're totally wrong. This program is not built for one person and it's not built where one person can carry it."
Farley pointed out that UNI dealt with replacing quarterback Eric Sanders by turning to Pat Grace. When a knee injury took down Grace, Zach Davis stepped in and guided the offense through three road victories.
"There's always one (player) to come, " said Farley. "If we've done our job, that's why we'll continue to make the decisions -- long term -- to make sure this is always a sound program and it's not built around one person."
Saturday, Farley and UNI will encounter a person who's trying to build a program.
Brigham Young graduate Ed Lamb is about to conclude his first season as Southern Utah's head coach. The 2008 Thunderbirds are 4-6 overall, including a 42-20 loss to South Dakota last Saturday. The Coyotes, who tested the Panthers in a non-conference game at the UNI-Dome before losing, claimed its first victory over a FCS program.
Farley, though, sounded a cautionary note. He points to a rugged schedule that included games with Air Force, Montana and Cal Poly.
"On film, they're a good team," he said. "They're throwing the football very well and the new coach this year is doing a nice job."
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DavidDSeid wrote on Nov 18, 2008 9:38 AM: