Football teams want to be strong the trenches and UNI figures to be next season. The Panthers have five starters back from an offensive line that paved the way for a school record in rushing yards and three starters return on the defensive line from a team that made it to the quarterfinal round of the FCS playoffs.

According to UNI Coach Mark Farley “This year will be the first time in maybe the last three years, that we have truly an offense line that we can think of as a ‘UNI line.’ They’re big enough, strong enough, old enough now. that that development is showing up. We’re 300 pounds across the front, we’re sophomores, juniors, and we’re strong enough, you know with the 400 pound bencher, so I very much look forward to what our offense can do next year.”

Farley says line play helped the Panthers establish an identity. As spring drills progress Farley says the Panthers need to develop the depth it takes to make a lengthy playoff run. UNI’s spring game is April 29th.

(Learfield Sports)