We've got to keep getting better. UNI broke even Thursday, taking the ball away from Morningside four times, but giving it up that often, too. Two of the mistakes belonged to quarterback Ryan Helming, who was intercepted in the end zone while being hit in the first half and later lost a fumble. The other two belonged to UNI rookies as redshirt freshman quarterback Matt Martin overthrew a receiver for an interception and true freshman Richard Carter dropped a punt. Those kids know.
Nobody suffers more over a turnover than the young man making it.
You've got to learn from it, and you've got to put it behind you. In fact, Martin led the Panthers' No. 2 offense down the field for a TD in the fourth quarter, and the second defensive unit stuffed the Mustangs over the last 15 minutes. They need the experience, and they need to get those first-game jitters out of the way. I think, from what I saw on the sideline, there were some encouraging things. Like I've said all along, they're athletic and they like to play the game, and that's certainly a good place to start.