CEDAR FALLS - The padlock snapped into place Sunday afternoon.

Northern Iowa's 2009 football season was officially over.

Saturday, UNI dropped its regular-season finale in heartbreaking fashion to Illinois State, 22-20, at Hancock Stadium. Less than 24 hours later, the news the team expected arrived. With a 7-4 record, the Panthers failed to land an at-large spot in the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.

Two Missouri Valley Football Conference programs made the field of 16. Regular-season champion Southern Illinois qualified with the league's automatic bid. South Dakota State advanced with an at-large spot.

As for the 2009 Panthers, they put on the shoulder pads for the last time against the Redbirds. UNI rallied behind backup quarterback Zach Davis with two touchdowns in the closing five minutes. Illinois State, though, countered with quarterback Matt Lancaster tossing an 8-yard scoring strike to Eyad Salem with six-tenths of a second remaining in the fourth quarter.

Thus, a year that began with a dramatic, last-second loss to Iowa ended with a dramatic, last-second loss to ISU.

"This was quite a season, with the ups and downs for us," said Panther head coach Mark Farley.

Ultimately, 2009 turned on the downs - specifically the close games.

In games decided by more than 10 points, UNI was a perfect 7-0.

In games decided by 10 or fewer points, the Panthers went 0-4.

And, while UNI proved it could rally against Illinois State, the Panthers never won a game in which they trailed.

By the end, Farley's team was at less than full strength. Quarterback Pat Grace did not return after suffering a concussion in the first half Saturday. Linebacker Elijah Hodge did not play. Offensive lineman Jason Fiacco, for the second consecutive week, took the field with a cast on his injured arm.

Despite the injuries, UNI nearly won for the eighth time. Instead, the Panthers settled at 7-4 and fell for the second consecutive year on a late drive. In the 2008 FCS semifinals, Richmond scored with 14 seconds left to beat the Panthers, 21-20.

"Hopefully, these guys can learn from that and turn it around next year," said defensive end James Ruffin.

Ruffin was one of 21 seniors on UNI's 2009 roster. Two more of his fellow starters along the defensive front - tackles Wes Lane and Chuck Kinney - have also used up their eligibility.

Linebackers Hodge and Josh Mahoney depart. So does free safety Quentin Scott, who made a big contribution late in the year.

Offensively, Grace and starting running Derrick Law played their final games in UNI colors Saturday. Receivers D.J. Hord and D.P. Eyman are Panthers no more.

Finally, the entire starting offensive line moves on - Fiacco, Austin Howard, Austin Steichen, Nate Herrig and Jordan Limbaugh.

Farley did not want to think much about 2010 minutes after losing the 2009 finale. But he did make one point when looking at the Panthers who will return.

"That's a great nucleus," said the Panther coach.

UNI could bring back as many as seven defensive backs with experience. Defensive line starters Ben Boothby and Darren Branch are slated to return, as are linebackers L.J. Fort and Jamar Thompson.

Offensively, Farley can turn to tight end Schuylar Oordt, running back Carlos Anderson, receivers like Jared Herring, Josh Collins and Maurice Turner, plus Davis at quarterback.

Davis' performance at the end of Saturday's loss hinted at what he may do with more time on the field.

"It's just confidence going into next year," he said.

But that's later. First, 2009 with all the ups and downs must be put to rest.

"We'll take a little time to take in all of that and learn from that," said Farley. "We have to learn from that if we want to take this season and try to make better seasons to come."