CEDAR FALLS - College football lineups are never etched in stone.

Northern Iowa is no exception.

Following the Panthers' imposing, 66-7, thumping of South Dakota Saturday, head coach Mark Farley noted that the coaching staff has done a little revising and erasing, sometimes on the fly.

For example, left guard Jason Fiacco became ill Saturday morning and couldn't play. That forced tackle Jordan Limbaugh to shift to guard. Evan Tecklenburg started in Fiacco's positon.

"What was great about the other night was I really think we had the opportunity to see who the next man is and where he is at in his ability," said Farley during his Monday press conference.

"Those players can become critical. Tecklenburg had to step to the front when Jason got sick."

While emptying his bench against South Dakota, Farley and the UNI coaching staff also got an extra look at true freshmen B.J. Ray and Terrell Sinkfield. Sinkfield made his debut at Iowa, while Ray played for the first time against the Coyotes.

Both are listed as backup wide receivers and they participated on special teams.

Farley said the rookies are needed to fill the gaps left by Josh Collins, who is out for the year with a knee injury. D.P. Eyman has replaced him at wide receiver.

"Josh did so many things and could back up so many positions," said Farley. "We kind of have to replace him with three people."

As for Ray and Sinkfield, Farley added, "They'll start in special teams roles, but I can see their roles growing as the season goes on. We can't get through the season with the number of receivers we have."

Before turning his attention to St. Francis, Saturday's opponent, Farley found little reason to complain about UNI's effort in the South Dakota victory. He thinks the Panther pass defense can improve, and the Coyotes had some success on the ground.

Yet the coach was satisfied.

"All in all, I couldn't ask for much more out of the football team," said Farley. "They came out, played well and did what we needed to do, coming off the previous football game (a 17-16 loss at Iowa)."

FIACCO UPDATE - Ryan Callahan, UNI's football athletic trainer, offered a brief explanation of Fiacco's illness.

"He had a general medical illness," said Callahan Monday. "He will return to team activity tomorrow."

Farley said Fiacco's condition was a concern, because of the health issues other college football programs are facing. Stillman College in Alabama, for instance, cancelled its opening game when 37 players had flu-like symptoms.

Mississippi and Wisconsin have dealt with the H1N1 virus, according to an Associated Press report.

"We have to prepare for the worst and hope for the best in the whole thing," said Farley.

He added, "That's probably the concern this week since we did have a couple of guys who were sick. You just don't want to get paranoid about that, but at the same time, we're very concerned about it."

BROOKINS TO UPPER IOWA - Farley confirmed Monday that running back Taylor Brookins has requested and received a release to transfer to Upper Iowa University.

A Cedar Falls High School graduate, Brookins was suspended by Farley following a recent arrest for possession of marijuana. He did not play for UNI this year.

Over two years as a Panther, Brookins gained 330 yards on 72 carries.

EARNING HIS KEEP - Kicker Billy Hallgren, who had two late field goals blocked at Iowa, earned UNI's special teams player of the week award following the South Dakota game. Hallgren hit an early 3-pointer and forced a pair of Coyote fumbles on kickoffs.

"He earned it," said Farley. "It wasn't because we were trying to make him feel good. We're not a feel good team."