After falling at top ranked North Dakota State the Northern Iowa football team will bid for its first Missouri Valley Conference victory at home this week against 17th ranked Illinois State. The Redbirds sit fifth in the Valley standings and the Panthers have already played the top four teams in the league race in an 0-5 start.

That’s UNI coach Mark Farley.Illinois State is 3-2 in the Valley and 6-3 overall.

Farley on some of the keys to getting things turned around.

Because of injuries on the defensive line the Panthers switched to a three man front prior to Saturday’s 42-19 loss at North Dakota State.

Farley continues to be impressed with the play of sophomore quarterback Matthew Schecklman. He has passed for 540 yards and five touchdowns in his last two games.