CEDAR FALLS – UNI was picked third in the preseason FCS STATS Perform FCS Preseason Top 25 Poll released by the organization this morning.
The Panthers return the bulk of a team that advanced to the quarterfinals of the FCS National Championship in 2019 including one of the best defenses in the nation.
North Dakota State was the unanimous preseason No. 1 and national runner-up James Madison was second in the poll.
UNI came in third ahead of fourth-ranked Weber State and No. 5 South Dakota State.
Illinois State was the fourth Missouri Valley Football Conference team in the Top-10 at No. 9. Southern Illinois was picked 24th.
Youngstown State and MVFC newcomer North Dakota received votes in the poll.
UNI moved the season to the spring. The timeline and schedule for the season and the FCS Playoffs have not been announced.