UNI sneaks into FCS playoffs, will travel to Eastern Washington in opening round
CEDAR FALLS — By the slimmest of margins, the Panthers are playoff-bound.
Northern Iowa received one of the last at-large bids Sunday for the Football Championship Subdivision Playoffs, which begin next weekend. The Panthers (6-5) will play at Eastern Washington (9-2) at 3 p.m. (CT) next Saturday in the opening round, with a win sending UNI to No. 6 seed Montana the following week.
Despite two late-season road losses that led to a sixth-place finish in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, the Panthers leaned on their strength of schedule and quality wins to sneak in. It was revealed after the bracket announcement that UNI received the last at-large bid.
UNI's victories over South Dakota State (8-3), Southern Illinois (7-4) and Big Sky champion Sacramento State (9-2) provided more substance than most other bubble teams could match. Both Warren Nolan and Massey Ratings had the Panthers' strength of schedule at No. 3 in FCS. It also didn't hurt that several other bubble squads lost Saturday, including Mercer, Chattanooga, VMI, Rhode Island, William & Mary and Monmouth.
"When we compared their victories to the field, they had three," said Thorr Bjorn, Rhode Island athletics director and FCS playoffs chairman. "There was only one other (bubble) team that fell in that same category. When you lined them up next to each other, you really felt good that (UNI) deserved to be in."
Still, the Panthers' seesawing ride through the Valley slate made for a stressful Sunday. Losses to playoff teams North Dakota State (Oct. 9), South Dakota (Oct. 16) and Missouri State (Nov. 13) kept UNI from entering the conference's upper echelon. A stunning road stumble at cellar-dweller Illinois State (Nov. 6) put the Panthers' postseason hopes in serious doubt.
Entering Saturday's regular-season finale, all UNI could do was leave the selection committee one more resounding message — and hope for the best. A 41-3 thrashing over Western Illinois marked the most points UNI scored since Sept. 18 versus St. Thomas. An offense that received a Week 3 makeover with the switch to quarterback Theo Day again looked competent in crunch time.
Which UNI version will show up next week? The Panthers have had recent issues in the first round against teams they seemingly should've controlled. UNI squeezed out a 17-3 win over San Diego in 2019 and a 16-13 victory over Lamar in 2018, both games in which the Panthers were at least two-touchdown favorites. That won't be the case against Eastern Washington.
But the Panthers could also be a tougher out than most bubble teams. Mark Farley owns plenty of postseason experience and won't be deterred by potential giants on the other side. For all that went wrong this season, UNI has a chance to alter 2021's final narrative.
"They're good enough to win a lot of games in the championship," Bjorn said.
Dargan Southard covers Iowa and UNI athletics, recruiting and preps for the Des Moines Register, HawkCentral.com and the Iowa City Press-Citizen. Email him at msouthard@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter at @Dargan_Southard.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Northern Iowa to play Eastern Washington in 1st round of FCS playoffs
