Category: Northern Iowa Panthers
UNI's Ruffin Chosen to Compete in East-West Shrine Game
University of Northern Iowa senior defensive end James Ruffin (Burnsville, Minn.) has been selected to play in the East-West Shrine Game.
Ruffin, a candidate for the Buck Buchanan Award, will travel to Orlando, Fla., to take part in the East-West Shrine Game which is set for Jan. 23, 2010, at the Florida Citrus Bowl. The game will be televised on ESPN2.
- 291 words - Missouri Valley Football Conference, Northern Iowa Panthers Missouri Valley Football Conference Recognizes "Silver Anniversary Team"
Founded in 1985 as the Gateway Football Conference, the Missouri Valley Football Conference is celebrating its 25th season of FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) football during the 2009 season. As part of a season-long celebration, the conference is paying tribute to its all-time greats by selecting a Silver Anniversary Team. Also selected was an NFL Greats and Institutional Greats team.
- 3203 words - Missouri Valley Football Conference, Southern Illinois Salukis, Indiana State Sycamores, South Dakota State Jackrabbits, North Dakota State Bison, Northern Iowa Panthers, Youngstown State Penguins, Western Illinois Leathernecks, Missouri State Bears, Illinois State Redbirds Jacks Hit Stride in Banner Season
Saturday certainly was, as the slogan goes, a good day to be a Jackrabbit. Actually, the past 10 years have been pretty decent for the blue and yellow.
A 24-14 triumph over sixth-ranked Northern Iowa on Saturday in Brookings was the 63rd win for South Dakota State since the 2000 season, breaking the program mark for the most victories in a decade.
The previous record of 62 wins was set in the 1990s. Prior to that, No. 11 SDSU had never won more than 55 games in any decade.
Streakbusters: SIU Gets Win at UNI-Dome
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - “Go Southern Go” never sounded so good, and Southern Illinois University’s football team earned every word Saturday.
Moments after the fifth-ranked Salukis fought off second-ranked Northern Iowa, 27-20, they joined a pack of fans nestled in the southwest corner of the UNI-Dome to sing the school fight song. SIU became the first team since 2006 to win a conference game in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and broke a 12-game spell that saw the home team win every game in the series.
The victory also moved SIU (5-1, 4-0 Missouri Valley Football Conference) into a tie with No. 14 South Dakota State (5-1, 4-0) atop the conference standings with four games remaining.
Younger Hodge forges his own path with Panthers
Cedar Falls, Ia. — Elijah Hodge slipped out of his brother’s shadow with a shrug and a grin.
“Elijah will open up,” Violet Hodge said of her youngest son. “Abdul is more on the quiet side.”
The last time Northern Iowa and Iowa met on a football field, in 2005, Abdul Hodge was a star linebacker for the Hawkeyes. When the Panthers return to Kinnick Stadium for Saturday’s 11 a.m. season opener, Elijah Hodge will be playing the role of purple-clad party crasher.
“It’s ironic,” he said. “When I looked at the schedule, I was kind of excited. Just the opportunity to play against (Iowa) is great.”
They share similar hairstyles, play the same position and wear No. 52 on their jerseys. Still, Elijah Hodge manages to stand apart from his older sibling.
Panthers remodeling on, off the field
CEDAR FALLS — Down on the UNI-Dome floor, workers put hammer to nail, applying the finishing touches to the new artificial turf.
Upstairs, Mark Farley laid down his football building code when asked about winning championships at Northern Iowa
“You need a little bit of luck and a lot of talent,” said the head coach during media day Tuesday. “And you need the resources to build that talent. We have those things.”
Farley knows nothing is guaranteed, that a bit of bad luck and a rash of untimely injuries could bring the 2009 season crashing down around his team. But, as he looked to his ninth year as UNI’s head man, Farley built a strong case for optimism.
Panthers hope to live up to lofty expectations
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - For all the success Northern Iowa has experienced over the past two years, the Panthers are perhaps best remembered for the heartbreaking way those seasons ended.
In 2007, Northern Iowa’s hopes for a perfect record and the school’s first national title were dashed in a home playoff loss to Delaware and it’s star quarterback, Joe Flacco.
Last season, the Panthers stopped Richmond on a 4th-and-1 with 2:13 left and were just a first down away from a berth in the Football Championship Subdivision title game. They didn’t get it, and then watched in horror as Richmond drove 62 yards in nine plays and pulled off a stunning 21-20 win at the UNI-Dome.
Four more Buchanan Award candidates announced by Sports Network
UNI’s Ruffin heads up latest group of Buchanan candidates
Missouri Valley Football Conference defensive player of the year James Ruffin is among the four latest candidates added to the watch list for the Buck Buchanan Award, presented annually to the top defensive player in FCS.
Ruffin racked up 18 tackles for loss (first in conference), 10 sacks, 69 tackles, and three forced fumbles for the Panthers last year, en route to All- America and All-MVFC honors.
Other players added to the list were Richmond cornerback Justin Rogers, Youngstown State defensive tackle Mychal Savage and William & Mary defensive end Adrian Tracy.
- 834 words - Missouri Valley Football Conference, CAA, Richmond Spiders, William & Mary Tribe, Northern Iowa Panthers, Youngstown State Penguins TSN: UNI, SIU teams to beat in MVFC
Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - There was little doubt that the addition of North Dakota State and South Dakota State would make a brutal Missouri Valley Fall Conference race even more competitive.
But when the dust had settled last season, it was traditional powerhouses Northern Iowa and Southern Illinois sitting on top of the league. Things will likely be just as competitive in 2009, but UNI and SIU are again the teams that should set the pace.
Northern Iowa is looking for a share of its third consecutive MVFC title and has developed into one of the more consistent programs in FCS under coach Mark Farley, going from a top-10 team to a squad capable of winning a national title in almost any given year.
- 2240 words - Missouri Valley Football Conference, Southern Illinois Salukis, Indiana State Sycamores, South Dakota State Jackrabbits, North Dakota State Bison, Northern Iowa Panthers, Youngstown State Penguins, Western Illinois Leathernecks, Missouri State Bears, Illinois State Redbirds MVFC Recognizes "All-Select NFL Team"
ST. LOUIS – Founded in 1985 as the Gateway Football Conference, the Missouri Valley Football Conference will celebrate its 25th season of FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) football during the 2009 season. To kick off the league’s 25th Year Celebration, the Missouri Valley Football Conference is paying tribute to its all-time greats - those who have had stellar careers or played with distinction in the National Football League.
Included in the list are former NFL Most Valuable Players, Pro-Bowl selections and Super Bowl participants. In all, former conference players have combined to play in 15 Pro Bowls and earned four MVP honors, while 12 players have combined for 23 Super Bowl appearances. Notably, 16 former league players on the list are currently active in the NFL.
- 1657 words - Missouri Valley Football Conference, Southern Illinois Salukis, Indiana State Sycamores, South Dakota State Jackrabbits, North Dakota State Bison, Northern Iowa Panthers, Youngstown State Penguins, Western Illinois Leathernecks, Missouri State Bears, Illinois State Redbirds UNI Panther Football Featured Twice on Valley Football Television Package
ST. LOUIS, Mo. - The University of Northern Iowa will have five of its football games broadcast live this season, including a pair of games as a part of the Missouri Valley Football-produced television package.
UNI’s opening game of the season at Iowa Sept. 5 will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network. The Panthers’ home opener against South Dakota will be telecast live on the Panther Sports Network (KWWL-TV) with a kick set for 4:05 p.m. in the UNI-Dome. UNI will be featured twice on the Missouri Valley Football Conference’s television package with the Missouri State (Sept. 26) and North Dakota State (Oct. 10) games being broadcast. UNI’s Senior Day game vs. Western Illinois on Nov. 11 will also be broadcast by the Panther Sports Network (KWWL) with a kick slated for 6:35 p.m.
- 474 words - Missouri Valley Football Conference, Northern Iowa Panthers Installing Mondoturf at the UNI-Dome
The University of Northern Iowa is installing Mondoturf Ecofill Star artificial turf in the UNI-Dome replacing the previous artificial surface which has been in use since 1992. Construction began July 13 and the final touches will be put in place in the first week of August prior to the UNI football team reporting for fall camp.
- 518 words - Missouri Valley Football Conference, Northern Iowa Panthers UNI Panthers #6 in Preseason Ranking
The University of Northern Iowa football team has been tabbed with a No. 6 FCS preseason ranking in Phil Steele’s College Football Preview magazine.
Senior defensive end James Ruffin (Burnsville, Minn.) and senior offensive tackle Austin Howard (Davenport, Iowa) have each been named to Phil Steele’s preseason All-America team.
- 163 words - Missouri Valley Football Conference, Northern Iowa Panthers Kurt Warner to be Featured on ESPN's Homecoming with Rick Reilly
Fans of former University of Northern Iowa quarterback Kurt Warner are encouraged to attend a free taping of ESPN’s Homecoming with Rick Reilly on Sunday, June 14, at Regis Catholic Middle School.
Homecoming is a new signature series hosted by award-winning sportswriter Rick Reilly. This Sunday, June 14, Reilly brings his unique style of storytelling to Cedar Rapids, Iowa for a on-on-one interview with Kurt Warner.
- 281 words - Missouri Valley Football Conference, Northern Iowa Panthers Missouri Valley Football Conference Announces 2008 Academic Awards
Thirteen student-athletes highlight nearly 400 who earned selection to the 2008 Missouri Valley Football Conference Honor Roll, as announced by the league office.
- 1077 words - Missouri Valley Football Conference, Southern Illinois Salukis, Indiana State Sycamores, South Dakota State Jackrabbits, North Dakota State Bison, Northern Iowa Panthers, Youngstown State Penguins, Western Illinois Leathernecks, Missouri State Bears, Illinois State Redbirds White Edges Purple Squad in UNI Panthers' Spring Game, 14-4
The University of Northern Iowa football team finished its spring drills Saturday with its annual spring game in the UNI-Dome. The White squad scored a 14-4 victory over the Purple squad in the game.
- 328 words - Missouri Valley Football Conference, Northern Iowa Panthers UNI football: Saturday's spring game has a purpose
Pat Grace will sit this one out.
The now-veteran Northern Iowa starting quarterback has earned the spring game respite as players with a lot more to prove take the UNI-Dome turf at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Panthers’ annual spring game showcase for fans.
- 304 words - Missouri Valley Football Conference, Northern Iowa Panthers Former FCS Players to be Honored at NFL Players Gala
WASHINGTON, D.C. - On Thursday, April 16, tight end Daniel Wilcox and 15 other of the NFL’s biggest heroes will be honored at the NFL PLAYERS Gala featuring the JB Awards, an annual awards presentation hosted by the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) to benefit Special Olympics DC. Wilcox was nominated at the conclusion of the 2008 season by his Baltimore Ravens teammates.
For the sixth consecutive year, the NFLPA and NFL PLAYERS, its licensing and marketing arm, have partnered with James Brown of CBS Sports “The NFL Today” to recognize NFL players for their individual contributions to their communities with the JB Awards. As in years past, award winners will participate in a panel discussion and will mingle with guests prior to the dinner. These honored players from around the National Football League will also join local Special Olympics athletes for a football clinic, an annual event held the morning of the Gala.
UNI Kids Clinic and Spring Drills to Start
The University of Northern Iowa football team’s annual Kick Off Kids Clinic sponsored by Village Inn will be held April 11 from 1-3 p.m. on the turf in the UNI-Dome. The free clinic is available for girls and boys in second grade through eighth grade.
- 204 words - Missouri Valley Football Conference, Northern Iowa Panthers At Last, a Big Game to Rile Delaware
Proximity, history could charge UD-DSU meetings.
The University of Delaware and Delaware State University have some catching up to do.
Football rivalries don’t form overnight. But UD and DSU already have many of the ingredients to make this one special.
On Tuesday, the schools announced their first regular-season meeting will take place Sept. 19, followed by three annual games beginning in 2012.
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