University of Northern Iowa Athletics
Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 2025
- Class:
- 2000
One of the most fierce defensive players in Panther football history, linebacker Matt "Bob" Pedersen left an indelible mark on his team as one of the program's all-time leading tacklers.
The Hudson, Iowa native was a key anchor in Northern Iowa's defensive unit under head coach Mike Dunbar during his three seasons in the lineup. In 33 career games as a starter with the Panthers, Pedersen accounted for 426 total tackles, second-most in team history. His 265 career unassisted tackles remains a school record to this day, as does his single-season mark of 107 unassisted tackles and 16 solo stops against Western Illinois in 1999.
A seven-time All-American selection by the Associated Press, Football Gazette, Sports Network and Phil Steele, Pedersen also notched 150 total tackles during the 1999 campaign, third-most in a single-season in team history, along with 23 total tackles in 1999 against Youngstown State, second-most in any game in school history. He was also the first Panthers in program history to record four sacks in a single-game, a feat he accomplished in 1997 against Indiana State.
The three-time First Team All-Gateway Football Conference selection and member of the league's Silver Anniversary Team in 2009 was also a decorated student-athlete, being named to the Gateway's Scholar-Athlete First Team three times (1997-99), as well as the 1998 Division I-AA Athletic Directors' Academic All-Star Team. He graduated from UNI in 2000 with a degree in marketing.
Pedersen currently resides in Shorewood, Minnesota with his wife of 14 years, Kelly, and his two boys Dillon and Tommy.
