Northern Iowa coach Mark Farley says the Panthers will practice outside this week to get ready for Saturday’s opener at Iowa State. Game time temperatures are expected to reach the mid-90s in Jack Trice Stadium The Panthers worked in the UNI-Dome during last week’s heat wave.

Farley says the opening game always answers a lot of questions. UNI has an experienced team that enters the season ranked 20th in the FCS poll.

Farley says they are not sure who the Cyclones will play at quarterback and tailback with Hunter Dekkers and Jirehl Brock being sidelined by a gambling investigation.

Farley says the biggest adjustment may come from several new assistants on the staff.

Former Panther assistant Ryan Clanton is entering his first season as the offensive line coach at ISU.

The Cyclones have won the last three in the series but the last two have been decided by a total of nine points, including Iowa State’s triple overtime victory in 2019.

The Cyclones start another difficult nonconference slate for UNI.