The UNI Panthers have earned a spot in the NCAA FCS playoffs and they'll open post-season play at home this weekend.

The Panthers (7-4, 6-2 MVFC) will host Monmouth of New Jersey at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls at 4 p.m. Saturday (Nov. 25, 2017). UNI was one of five teams from the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) selected for the 24-team field, which was unveiled during a selection show that aired on ESPNU Sunday morning.

  • To view FCS playoff pairings, click here.

"When I saw the players this morning, they were so excited to be in," head coach Mark Farley said on the playoff selection. "We have a phenomenal group of guys and it's noticeable how great their relationships are with one another after seeing it down the stretch this season. It's a great time to be a Panther and hopefully we can keep playing football for a while."

Both teams earned at-large berths into the national championship tournament. The 20th-ranked Panthers will be making their 19th appearance in the playoffs after winning five of their last six games to finish second in the rugged MVFC. This year's playoff appearance will be the first for Monmouth in program history.

The Hawks (9-2, 4-1 Big South) dropped their regular season finale, 52-21, on the road at Kennesaw State in the Big South Championship on Saturday. UNI won its last regular season game, beating Indiana State, 41-3, at home.

Saturday's playoff game will be the first between the Panthers and Monmouth.

Season-ticket holders can purchase tickets for Saturday's game online beginning at 6 p.m. Sunday (Nov. 19) and at the McLeod Ticket Office beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Monday morning. Sales for non-season ticket holders will begin at 10:00 a.m. Monday. The deadline for season-ticket holders to reserve a seat will be Wednesday, Nov. 22 at noon.

Tickets purchased online will be $24, while those picked up at the McLeod Ticket Office will be $20. Students will be allowed free accessed after scanning their ID at the door.

For more information on the ticket ordering process, please visit here.

If UNI beats Monmouth, the Panthers second-round playoff opponent would be South Dakota State. UNI beat the Jackrabbits, 38-18, in Brookings, S.D. on Oct. 14.

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