Northern Iowa football coach Mark Farley says he won’t make excuses and the Panthers will prepare for every game like it is the most important of the season. The Panthers visit Western Illinois on Saturday and at 2-3 the FCS playoffs appear to be a long shot. Farley will be without starting quarterback Will McElvain for the second straight game. He was placed in COVID quarantine one day before last week’s loss to Missouri State.

Western Illinois is 0-4 during the spring season.