UNI alumni Kurt Warner helping to motivate perpetual underdog Panthers

Northern Iowa isn't ripe with famous alumni, but it does have one famous supporter whose own story resonates with the growing underdog reputation of the Panthers.

Super Bowl MVP - and UNI quarterback from 1990-93 - Kurt Warner has been brought in by head coach Ben Jacobson over the past two seasons to help motivate his plucky group and provide the team with inspiration.

"Everybody sees the name on the front of the shirt," Warner said following the Panthers' unbelievable upset on Friday. "They develop a perception of what we can't do and what we can't be.

"The reality is different."

Warner's advice to the Panthers is to embrace their low-key reputation, forcing top seeds to overlook them as they've done in their last three tournament appearances.

"We're going to try to get out of their mind," Warner said. "What they see when they see UNI is just what they saw tonight. Like myself whether it's playing there, playing Arena Football, everyone has a perception. The whole goal in life is to put the perceptions over there and let's show you what the reality is."

Under head coach Ben Jacobson the Panthers have been to four NCAA Tournaments, winning three times on game-winning shots in the last five seconds.