Sycamores play Panthers at UNI Dome today

ISU Sycamores play Panthers at UNI Dome today

CEDAR FALLS, IA - (10-11-2003) — After enjoying two games at home, including the Gateway Football Conference opener against Southern Illinois, the Sycamores take to the road for a game against nationally-ranked Northern Iowa. UNI, which has burst onto the college football scene this season with a televised win at Stephen F. Austin and a dominating performance against previously highly ranked Northwestern State, comes into today’s contest with a 4-1 (1-0 Gateway) record after dropping Illinois State 16-7 last week.

ISU is coming off a loss to the Salukis in which they turned the ball over four times, but still received solid performances from Jake Shields (127 yards) and various members of the defense. The Sycamores defeated Northern Iowa 21- 19 last season, the first ISU victory over the Panthers since 1990. ISU will now be looking for their first win in Cedar Falls since a 24-6 win in 1988. Brian Fritz (play-byplay) and Ben Wagner (color commentary) have the all the action on www.USA-365.com beginning at 3:40 p.m.

THE SETUP — The Sycamores and Panthers battle it out today, as the Sycamores are 3-3 (0-1 Gateway) while the Panthers enter the game at 4-1 (1-0 Gateway).

THE INDIANA STATE COACH — Indiana State head coach Tim McGuire (Nebraska ‘75) is in his sixth season at the helm of the Sycamore football program. His record at ISU stands at 20-42, while his eight-year career mark stands at 27-57, including two seasons as the head coach at Morningside College. This season is McGuire’s 11th as a member of the Sycamores’ coaching staff. McGuire is 1-4 against UNI all-time.

THE NORTHERN IOWA COACH — Northern Iowa is led by third-year skipper Mark Farley, who is 20-10 overall and at the Cedar Falls, Iowa school.

THE SERIES — Northern Iowa owns the series over the Sycamores, 15-4-0 while the Panthers hold an 8-1 record at Cedar Falls, Iowa.

INDIANA STATE CAPTAINS — Captains for the 2003 season are: TE Ryan King, OL Matt Griebel, CB Clythel Branson and SS Larry Thompson.

STUMPING FOR SHIELDS — Junior tailback Jake Shields has rushed for 798 yards in six games this season, an average of 133.0 yards per game while racing for 5.2 yards per carry. For his efforts, Shields has been added to The Sports Network’s Walter Payton Award watchlist.

SLICING THROUGH THE SALUKIS — Jake Shields finished the Southern Illinois game with 127 yards, his fifth, 100-yard plus rushing game of the season. Shields scored on a 17-yard touchdown scamper in the third quarter as the Sycamores fell 37-14 to the Salukis. Shields burst through the defense for a long rush of 21 yards while also catching one pass and taking the screen play for 18 yards to help set up his touchdown. Shields was strong throughout the contest with an average of 5.5 yards per carry on the day.

STREAK SNAPPER — Indiana State had its string of nine wins against Southern Illinois snapped with the 37-14 loss on Saturday. The streak was the third-longest ever win streak by one Gateway opponent over another in Gateway history.

LIVE AUDIO STREAMING — ISU and the Salukis battle for the 20th time today as Brian Fritz (play-byplay) and Ben Wagner (color commentary) call all of the action live on USA-365.com beginning with the pre-game at 3:40 p.m. and the kick-off at 4:05 p.m. CDT/EST on www.USA-365.com.

New to USA-365.com this season is a special audio archive of the previous Indiana State University Football game. MP3 audio file downloads are updated each week and are now free at ISU Football MP3 Audio Archives.