The schedule gets even tougher for the UNI football team this week. After opening Missouri Valley play with a 35-7 home loss to 15th ranked North Dakota the Panthers visit second ranked South Dakota State. The Jackrabbits have won 32 straight home games.

That’s UNI coach Todd Stepsis, who says South Dakota State is talented and plays with the consistency required of a national title contender.

Stepsis says while the Panthers know they are a decided underdog the game also presents a big opportunity.

Stepsis says they will work this week on handling crowd noise.

Stepsis says the defense needs to do a better job of limiting big plays and iy is small mistakes that are costing them.