CEDAR FALLS - Northern Iowa will get a look at some empty sets when Illinois State's offense takes the field Saturday afternoon.

It'll be part of what should be a full day for the Panthers' defense.

The Redbirds' version of the spread offense puts a lot of footballs in the air.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Matt Brown, who replaced injured starter Drew Kiel in the 2009 season-opener, has thrown 343 passes in 10 games. ISU's top receiver, Eyad Salem, owns 83 receptions this season.

The senior ranks third nationally and No. 1 in the Missouri Valley Football Conference

Yes, first-year head coach Brock Spack will run the ball with backs like Clifton Gordon and Geno Blow. On the other hand, Brown will often be standing all alone behind center, with receivers scattered all over the formation.

"It's a tough team to prepare for because they do so many things," said UNI head coach Mark Farley Monday.

"They spread you all over the field, yet they can still run the football because they get back in some unbalanced sets and try to attack you and outflank you a little bit."

Thus, Farley expects the Redbirds to go after the Panthers' young rotation at cornerback, where freshmen Terrell McBride, Andre Martin and J.J. Swain are seeing action.

It won't be easy for the safeties, either, although Quentin Martin earned MVFC defensive player of the week honors for his two interceptions against Western Illinois. Garrett Scott, who's been splitting snaps with Tre'Darrius Canady at strong safety, earned praise from Farley after UNI's 34-0 win over the Leathernecks.

The Panthers' head coach said shuttling reserve defenders into action consistently will be critical Saturday.

"We're gonna have to alternate some people in front but the same in the secondary," said Farley. "We have to get some people in there in some type of rotation just to keep them fresh and to keep them mentally fresh.

"There are so many different combinations and routes and things that (the Redbirds) do that make it difficult. Our secondary will be tested. We'll be tested with our linebackers and our pass rush. We have to find a way to get home."

On the offensive side, Farley expects to get one of his best ballcarriers back for the regular-season finale at Hancock Stadium in Normal, Ill.

Carlos Anderson, who injured a hamstring in the Youngstown State victory, figures to get a shot at an Illinois State defense that ranks eighth out of nine teams in the MVFC against the run.

Farley said Anderson approached him before the Western Illinois game and said he was ready to go.

"He wanted to return the opening kick," said Farley, laughing. "So I actually thought he was going to play. I just wasn't going to put him on special teams."

Farley said he chose to stick with Derrick Lee and Matt Strathman as the top two running backs last weekend. He felt Strathman deserved a chance to play in a situation other than mop-up duty.

And, he felt Anderson would be in better shape with a week of rest.

"You'll see Carlos this weekend," added Farley.