Panthers Release 2016 Football Schedule

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The University of Northern Iowa football program has announced its 2016 schedule, slated with five home games inside the historic UNI-Dome.

The Panthers will kick off 2016 in Ames against in-state foe Iowa State on Sept. 3. It will be the 30^th meeting between the two teams with UNI's last win against the Cyclones coming in 2013, when it defeated Iowa State 28-20.

UNI hosts Montana Sept. 10 in its first home game of the season, a team the Panthers haven't faced since 2011. The Grizzlies finished 2015 ranked No. 14 in the FCS after posting an 8-5 overall record, eventually losing in the second round of the playoffs to MVFC member North Dakota State.

The Purple and Old Gold will then hit the road to Cheney, Wash., for a battle against the Eastern Washington Eagles Sept. 17 to wrap up non-conference play. The Panthers are 6-0 all-time against the Eagles, including a 38-35 win in 2015.

The Panthers begin Missouri Valley Football Conference play Oct. 1 with UNI's Homecoming game against Southern Illinois. UNI has 17 wins over the Salukis in program history, including victories in 2014 and 2015.

UNI then heads out on a two-game road swing Oct. 8 and Oct. 15, taking on South Dakota and Youngstown State, before returning home for Family Weekend Oct. 22 to face off against the Missouri State Bears. The Panthers and The Penguins haven't been on each other's schedules since the 2013 season when UNI posted a 22-20 win over then No. 9-ranked Youngstown State.

UNI stays in Cedar Falls Oct. 29 for a game against defending national champion North Dakota State, going 3-1 against the Bison in the UNI-Dome under the direction of head coach Mark Farley. The Panthers hold a four-game edge in the all-time series (26-22) against North Dakota State, a rivalry that dates back to 1938.

The Panthers round out the regular season with two games on the road against Indiana State Nov. 5 and Western Illinois Nov. 12 before hosting South Dakota State Nov. 19 on Senior Day.
UNI finished 2015 9-5 overall with a third-place finish in the MVFC. The Panthers ended the season ranked No. 6 in the FCS Coaches Final Poll, marking the eighth top-10 final ranking in the last 15 season and the 12^th top-25 ranking since 2001.

Fans can begin renewing season tickets online Fri., Jan. 15, with paper invoice mailings going out at the beginning of February. As an added bonus, fans can renew season tickets online by Feb. 1 and be entered for a chance to win one of three different prizes.

·         Free season tickets for the 2016 UNI Football Season (max of 2) $278 value
·         $100 Hy-Vee gift card
·         Panther Merchandise Prize Pack

Information on how to renew online will be emailed Friday. For any questions about season tickets, contact the UNI Ticket Office at 319-273-4849.

2016 UNI Football Schedule

Sept. 3	at Iowa State
Sept. 10	Montana
Sept. 17	at Eastern Washington
Oct. 1	*Southern Illinois (Homecoming)**
Oct. 8	at South Dakota*
Oct. 15	at Youngstown State*
Oct. 22	*Missouri State (Family Weekend)**
Oct. 29	North Dakota State*
Nov. 5	at Indiana State*
Nov. 12	at Western Illinois*
Nov. 19	*South Dakota State (Senior Day)**

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