One year ago, Northern Iowa was one dropped pass away from possibly knocking off Iowa State in both teams’ season-opener.

This year the Panthers are back for opening weekend and looking to finish what they started.

After the 17-10 loss to Iowa State, Northern Iowa rattled off eight consecutive wins, finishing the season with a 10-3 record. Iowa State, on the other hand, fell on hard times, winning just once more and struggling to post a 2-10 mark.

The team that UNI head coach Mark Farley brought to Ames last season was a young one, leaving him with a solid core of experienced players.

“We have the experience of players who played in the game [last year],” Farley said. “The most valuable thing about playing a team back-to-back years is players who played in last year’s game will be lining up this year. We’re fortunate to have a lot of returners on offense.”

Leading the Panthers again this season is senior quarterback Tom Petrie. Last season Petrie threw for 2,357 yards and 18 touchdowns with just seven interceptions. This is his third season at the helm of the Panthers, and he has an 18-9 record as a starter.

Also returning on offense is junior tailback Terrance Freeney, 2003 Gateway Conference Newcomer of the Year and a first-team all-conference selection.

Freeney averaged more than 100 yards per game rushing last year, finishing the year with 1,261 yards on the ground and 16 touchdowns.

With Petrie and Freeney looking to add to their success, Farley knows both will have to contribute if his team is to be successful.

“We have to be balanced on offense, throwing and running, and on defense, putting pressure on people and playing good, solid run defense,” Farley said. “If we don’t fire on all cylinders, I don’t see how we can do it.”

“Without that balance we’re going to struggle, and with balance we will have a chance to win games coming down the stretch.”

Playing opposite of Petrie will be Cyclone redshirt freshman quarterback Bret Meyer, a player Farley has watched since Meyer’s days in high school. Meyer led Atlantic High School to a Class 3A state football championship in the UNI-Dome.

“The key matchup will be against Meyer,” Farley said. “[Meyer] is an excellent athlete. He’s a special athlete and [Iowa State] has a quarterback for the future.”

Beyond Meyer, Farley said he knows the Cyclones will be ready to play.

“Coach McCarney will have his football team ready,” Farley said. “He took them to three straight bowl games and they just aren’t going to fall off the table.”