CEDAR FALLS - Temptation whispers in one ear.

The urgings of quarterback coach Mario Verduzco are loud and clear in the other.

Pat Grace often listens to temptation, and that's not neccesarily a bad thing.

After all, the Northern Iowa quarterback has shown over and over that he's willing to go the extra yard when he carries the football, no matter what the consequences. His rushing has been a big reason why UNI is 2-1 and tied for first place in the rugged Missouri Valley Football Conference.

In the Panthers' 31-17 victory over Illinois State Saturday, Grace set a career high with 99 yards on the ground. He also hit 13 of 18 passes for 238 yards, another personal best. Tapping his ability to scramble, Grace bought extra time that set up his 50-yard touchdown pass to Victor Williams.

Not once, though, did Grace dive to the turf or veer to the sideline to avoid contact.

"I'm trying to get the extra yard," said Grace following UNI's fourth overall victory in six 2008 games. "Coach Verduzco preaches all the time that I need to learn to slide or step out of bounds. He's probably right.

"I have to protect my body, but I'm trying to get a few extra yards and the first down if I need to."

Head coach Mark Farley thinks Grace's full-throttle, take no prisoners approach lifts the entire team, not to mention his own outlook.

"It gives confidence to the team, the way he's playing" said Farley. "I enjoy watching him play. He plays so aggressive, so confident, it goes over to the other players when they watch the quarterback put his head down and try to run over somebody.

"He is a tough young man."