CEDAR FALLS -- Pat Grace's pass seemed to stay in the air longer than a flight to the Orient.

Then again, Maurice Turner had grown accustomed to waiting for the football to land in his hands.

So, after streaking down the right sideline in the second quarter of Northern Iowa's playoff game against New Hampshire, the sophomore wide receiver waited again. The pass was coming his way -- very, very slowly.

"Oh man, it seemed like the ball was in the air forever," said Turner.

Finally, Grace's throw made its descent. Turner caught it at the New Hampshire 1-yard-line. Two snaps later, UNI's starting quarterback ran for a touchdown.

It was a key play in the Panthers' 36-34 Football Championship Subdivision quarterfinal-round victory. That 27-yard completion also shed light on Turner's sudden emergence as part of UNI's air game.

The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder caught two passes in the 2008 opener at Brigham Young. He didn't make his next reception until game seven -- when the Panthers beat North Dakota State.

Following another three-game drought, Turner grabbed passes in victories at Indiana State and Southern Utah.

"I just played my role," said Turner. "I played my part. I went out there and blocked and tried to do whatever I can. Eventually, things happened."

The FCS playoffs arrived. So did Turner.

He caught two passes for 36 yards in the opening-round blowout of Maine.

He saved his best game for UNI's biggest of 2008. Turner racked up a season-high three receptions for 73 yards.

Thus, Turner doubled his catch total on exactly two playoff Saturdays. Of his 162 receiving yards, 109 have come in postseason action.

"Actually, I was really proud of myself," said Turner, the son of former NFL player Maurice Turner.

"I finally got the ball thrown to me a couple of times. I got a chance to show what I can do."

Turner started one game at midseason, but the door really opened for him following the dismissal of veteran receivers Johnny Gray and Victor Williams.

The sophomore got his shot.

"He's been given a chance and performed pretty well," said UNI co-offensive coordinator Bill Salmon. "We've always talked -- and he's always talked -- that it's all he ever wanted. He wanted a chance to do something, and right now, he's doing it."

Salmon also pointed out that during those early stretches when the ball didn't go Turner's way, UNI's attack stuck closely to the ground and trusted the defense to take care of business.

That formula worked well. Late in the year, though, the Panthers have gone downfield more often through the air. That's created more chances for the entire receiving corps, especially Turner.

And when UNI passes, Turner understands what must be done.

"I just try to pride myself on catching the ball, whether it's in traffic or whether I'm wide open," said Turner. "I think that's one of my big strengths as far as being a receiver."

Added Salmon, "Mo does a great job of catching the football, and he runs good routes. He's real smart, you know. He's been here. He knows exactly what he's doing for the most part, but he does a nice job. He's a big old target, and he can go up and get the ball."

Saturday, UNI hosts Richmond in the FCS semifinals. The Panthers will face the "Stonewall Defense," a unit that features all-Colonial Athletic Association cornerback Justin Rogers. He's picked off seven passes, one of the reasons the Spiders lead FCS defenses with 28 interceptions.

Meanwhile, Turner's season is taking off. He's not ready to land.

"This is real big," he said of Saturday's semifinal. "We've got another home game. Hopefully, it'll work out in our favor and we can get this win and go to Chattanooga."

Contact Jim Sullivan at (319) 291-1434 or jim.sullivan@wcfcourier.com

Maurice Turner

Position: Wide receiver

Height: 6-2

Weight: 210

Class: Sophomore

Hometown: Mounds View, Minn.

Career highlights: After catching five passes in regular season play, Turner has picked up the pace in the FCS playoffs. He's grabbed five more footballs in the post-season, three coming in the victory over New Hampshire.

Quote: "Actually, I was really proud of myself. I finally got the ball thrown to me a couple of times and I got a chance to show what I can do." ï½ Maurice Turner.