FCS committee gave UNI chance to prove its worth — now, Panthers must deliver against SDSU

CEDAR FALLS, Ia. — At least give the FCS committee credit for this: its controversial seeding decision regarding the Missouri Valley Football Conference will get settled on the field. That’s the least it could do.

Northern Iowa personnel and others across the FCS landscape were puzzled after the Panthers didn’t receive a top-8 seed — and fellow Valley member South Dakota State did — essentially in UNI’s place. The Panthers had a stronger nonconference schedule and finished two spots ahead of the Jackrabbits in the Valley standings. That apparently wasn’t enough to offset South Dakota State’s 38-7 drubbing when the two teams met on Nov. 16.

As a result, UNI (9-4) played an extra playoff game and must travel to Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium a second time. But the Panthers, after surviving last Saturday’s opening round versus San Diego, will get their rematch thanks to the committee’s pairing.

Now, the rest is on UNI.

“I know personally I’m looking forward to this rematch,” safety Christian Jegen said. “We didn’t perform to the level that we’re capable of the last time. We’ve got a chip on our shoulder and something to prove.”

As much as that’s the case, it’ll take more than slighted feelings mixed with revenge to emerge victorious. South Dakota State is an established program loaded with playoff experience. Its selection as a top-8 seed may have been questionable — but the Jackrabbits’ prowess as a postseason force isn’t.

Couple that with how South Dakota State emphatically snatched the first matchup, and UNI’s top objective must be delivering a cleaner performance. Modest deficits of 7-0 (halftime) and 17-7 (after three quarters) transformed into a gaudy loss with South Dakota’s strong closing act.

The Jackrabbits threw up 21 fourth-quarter points, buoyed by a pivotal scoop-and-score that was quarterback Will McElvain’s fourth turnover on the day, The redshirt freshman struggled in a tough road environment, mustering just 135 total yards with three interceptions.

That showing, paired with a lackluster offensive effort last weekend, puts McElvain atop the list of guys who need a rebound outing Saturday. UNI coach Mark Farley is more focused on that — better execution across the board — rather than the external factors at play.

“Whatever the players feel, I’m sure they’re just anxious to be in the next round,” Farley said this week. “But it’s still a road game. It’s still in their house — and they’ve had a week off. You’ve got a week’s worth of work and a road trip to make to go perform at that level.

“So there’s a little bit of that (chip-on-the-shoulder mentality) that’s excellent to have, but there’s also a challenge you’ve got to meet.”

The Panthers must tackle that challenge with the same lengthy injury list it has shouldered for weeks. A slew of health updates early in the week yielded few positives. Tight end Briley Moore sounds doubtful for a Saturday return. It’ll be touch-and-go for Isaiah Weston, Chris Kolarevic and Deon McShane, as UNI likely won’t know what it can get from those guys until game day.

Those offensive casualties mean the Panthers will almost certainly need another solid defensive performance. That unit has carried UNI countless times this season. It did so again last week with pivotal turnovers and suffocating pressure.

“We’ve got to attack this like a team and perform,” said defensive lineman Brawntae Wells, whose pick-six in the opening minutes against San Diego was UNI’s only touchdown until late in the fourth.

“We’ve just got to go back up there and work.”

If the Panthers do, they’ll send a loud message to the committee and beyond.  

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.