The stretch run begins for Northern Iowa this weekend with a visit to Illinois State. The 10th ranked Panthers are 5-3 and visit a seventh-ranked Redbird squad that is 6-2.

Led by freshman quarterback Will McElvain the UNI offense is making progress. McElvain has 14 touchdown passes and only two interceptions.

Farley says that offense will be challenged by the Illinois State defense, which gives up less than 17 points per game and the offense is averaging 185 yards per contest.