NDSU heads to Cedar Falls to end UNI's playoff chances

North Dakota State heads into its regular season finale with plenty to play for as a playoff berth and possible top-eight seed is a stake in Ceder Falls, Iowa this weekend against a Northern Iowa team whose playoff chances are on life support.

The Panthers of UNI started their season 1-2 but fought their way to a 5-3 record before last week's disastrous performance as a terrible Missouri State team dismantled UNI 35-16 to put the Panthers on the brink of being left out of the playoff bracket.

The UNI offense is led by former Michigan State quarterback Theo Day who leads the 60th ranked offense in FCS, they average 26 points per contest. Day has thrown for just over 2500 yards and 14 touchdowns on the year but has thrown 11 interceptions. Day's favorite receiver is #23 Sam Schnee he is the team leader in receptions, yards, and touchdowns. Schnee was also named to the  preseason all-conference 2nd team. UNI has a two-headed monster at running back in #2 Tye Edwards and #5 Amauri Pesek-Hickson, each has over 400 yards rushing and at least four touchdowns.

Defensively, UNI allows 24 points a game which is 43rd in the FCS, they are led by redshirt freshman linebacker Josiah Galvan. He leads the team in solo and total tackles with 73. In the secondary they are led by Dalesean Staley, he has three interceptions and four passes broken up. The best player on their defense might just be #1 Cordarrius Baliey as he has the team lead in sacks with six.

Both NDSU and UNI are fighting for their playoff lives as NDSU is more than likely in already but can make it a sure thing if they win and would still be in the hunt for a seed. UNI needs this game to have chance at the postseason so it will be interesting to see what UNI team shows up on Saturday.

Kickoff between the Bison and Panthers is st for 4 p.m inside the UNI-DOME. The game can be seen on WDAY/ABC.