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CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – Down on the UNI-Dome floor, workers put hammer to nail, applying the finishing touches to the new artificial turf.

Upstairs, Mark Farley laid down his football building code when asked about winning championships at Northern Iowa.

“You need a little bit of luck and a lot of talent,” the head coach said during media day Tuesday. “And you need the resources to build that talent. We have those things.”

Farley knows nothing is guaranteed, that a bit of bad luck and a rash of untimely injuries could bring the 2009 season crashing down around his team. But, as he looked to his ninth year as UNI”s head man, Farley built a strong case for optimism.

“This is a lucky team,” he said. “Those freshmen are lucky to have the resources they have right now as they grow through the program. The future of UNI football is very bright, I think, because of the resoruces. And I think this football team is very good. We’ll all find out together how that unfolds.

Work continues on facilities at the Dome. Farley expects the football program’s new weight room to be ready next week, for instance. He hopes to practice on the new, Mondo playing surface by Monday.

Meanwhile, the Panthers have been working outdoors while hoping to solve some mysteries of the new turf.

“We still have to find out what shoes to wear,” Farley said. “We don’t know the exact shoe that will work best on this surface. We have to experiment with that.”

Farley also added, “I’ll tell you what, we are ahead by five years by getting this surface. We can deal with it. It’ll help our program for years to come.”

The players took advantage of media day to walk on the new turf for the first time.

“It feels a lot better than the astroturf,” said defensive end James Ruffin.

Ruffin is also a senior, one of the group that’s posted a 31-8 overall record in its first three years of action. Last fall, the Panthers won their second straight Missouri Valley Football Conference title and reached the semifinal round of the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.

There the year ended with a last-second, heartbreaking loss to Richmond at the Dome. The veterans have not forgotten about letting a lead get away late in the fourth quarter.

“All off-season, we’ve been talking about how we have to finish everything we do,” said quarterback Pat Grace. “Don’t miss a set lifting. Don’t miss gassers (windsprints). Don’t miss a meeting. Don’t miss anything. Finish everything we do. I think that’ll help us improve on our season.”

On the field, Farley has some work to do, especially in the defensive secondary. He’ll do it with freshmen at the corners. Newcomers like Terrell McBride, Andre Martin, Varmah Sonie and J.J. Swain figure to be in the mix for playing time.

Quentin Scott is the free safety. Jamar Thompson, a starter at linebacker a year ago, has been getting a look at strong safety.

“Finding a role and the best way to help this team – that’s what I’m doing,” said Thompson.

More fresh faces may dot the linebacking corps and the defensive front. Former Wisconsin Badger Elijah Hodge, the younger brother of Iowa product Abdul Hodge, has joined UNI’s camp. Bowling Green transfer Darren Branch is a contender at the end spot opposite Ruffin.

Offensively, Grace returns at quarterback. Veterans are plentiful along the offensive line, at tight end and wide receiver. Three candidates remain in the hunt to replace Corey Lewis at running back – Derrick Law, Carlos Anderson and Taylor Brookins.

“We didn’t lose very much on offense,” said Grace.

The schedule will be challenging. Opening Valley Football action at Missouri State Sept. 26 worries Farley. There’s the key October stretch – at North Dakota State, home with Southern Illinois at back on the road to South Dakota State.

Then there’s opening day at Iowa Sept. 5.

“Hawkeye Nation should be very pleased with what should happen this year,” said Farley. “I think they’re very, very good. But so are we.”

Farley added that the veterans will lead the way.

“We have to be very confident early in those games because of where we have to go play,” he said. “We need that calm and sense of urgency. But let’s not get worked up over it. Let’s just do our job like we always have.”

Preseason snapshot

Last year: 7-1 Missouri Valley Football Conference, 12-3 overall, semifinals of Football Champioship Subdivision playoffs.

Head coach: Mark Farley (9th year)

Returning starters: 15 (Nine offense, five defense, one special teams)

Key position battle: The entire secondary is wide open. Farley will turn to a group of freshmen to fill the corners. Quentin Scott is the top candidate at free safety, while Jamar Thompson is moving from linebacker to strong safety.

2009 schedule

  Sept. 5 – At Iowa, 11 a.m.

  Sept. 12 – South Dakota, 4:05 p.m.

  Sept. 19 – Saint Francis (Pa.), 4:05 p.m.

  Sept. 26 – At Missouri State, 1:05 p.m.

  Oct. 3 – Indiana State, 4:05 p.m.

  Oct. 10 – At North Dakota State, 3:05 p.m.

  Oct. 17 – Southern Illinois, 4:05 p.m.

  Oct. 24 – lAt South Dakota State, 2 p.m.

  Nov. 7 – Youngstown State, 4;05 p.m.

  Nov. 14 – Western Illinois, 6:05 p.m.

  Nov. 21 – At Illinois State, noon