University of Northern Iowa Athletics
Panther football announces 2025 schedule
1/6/2025 10:06:00 AM | Football
UNI football opens the 2025 season August 30 inside the UNI-Dome.
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — The UNI football team announced its 2025 schedule on Monday morning. Head coach Todd Stepsis' first season at the helm of the Panthers kicks off on Aug. 30 inside the UNI-Dome for UNI's 127th total season of football and 49th inside the UNI-Dome. Kickoff times have yet to be announced.
"As we unveil the 2025 football schedule, I couldn't be more excited for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead," said Stepsis. "Each game is a chance to grow, compete and show our passion for the sport. Can't wait to get started on this journey together with our team this off-season!"
The Panthers open the 2025 campaign inside the UNI-Dome with their first-ever meeting with Butler on Aug. 30. From there, the Panthers head to Wyoming on Sept. 6 to take on the Cowboys, in the first meeting between the two programs since 1993.
UNI returns to Cedar Falls on Sept. 13 to take on Eastern Washington. The Panthers and the Eagles meet for the first time since a 2021 FCS first round playoff matchup and the ninth time in program history. Northern Iowa rounds out the non-conference slate at Utah Tech as the Panthers look to remain perfect against the Trailblazers on Sept. 20. UNI won the lone matchup of the series with a 41-14 victory in 2022 inside the UNI-Dome.
NEW UNI FOOTBALL SEASON TICKET DEPOSITS
The Panthers open the 2025 Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) slate inside the UNI-Dome for the third-straight season on Oct. 4 when the Panthers take on the Fighting Hawks of North Dakota. This will be the 42nd meeting between the two programs with UNI holding a 26-15 lead in the all-time series. MVFC play continues on Oct. 11 when UNI heads to Brookings, South Dakota to take on the Jackrabbits of South Dakota State.
OUR TOMORROW: GIVE TO THE UNI-DOME RENOVATION
UNI continues league play with its third-straight Dakota team as the Panthers welcome the Coyotes of South Dakota to Cedar Falls on Oct. 18. A two-game road stand follows with matchups at Southern Illinois on Oct. 25 and at Illinois State on Nov. 1. Northern Iowa meets the MVFC's newest member on Nov. 8 for the first time as conference opponents when Murray State comes to Cedar Falls. The Panthers and the Racers have met on one other occasion in a 35-34 UNI victory in Murray, Kentucky in 1995.
The Panthers close the road portion of the regular season at North Dakota State. UNI will visit Fargo, North Dakota in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1977 and 1978 on Nov. 15. The regular season finale comes from the UNI-Dome on Nov. 22 when Youngstown State visits Cedar Falls for the 20th time in program history. UNI is 16-3 at home against the Penguins.
New season ticket holders can now place a deposit on 2025 UNI Football season tickets HERE. Seats will be selected in the order in which deposits are placed after all 2024 renewing season ticket holders have chosen their new seat locations. Current season ticket holders do not need to place an early deposit on their tickets as seats will be selected in order of Panther Point rankings. More information regarding the seat selection process and timeline will be made available soon.
2025 UNI FOOTBALL SCHEDULE (Times TBA)
- Aug. 30 vs. Butler (UNI-Dome / Cedar Falls, Iowa)
- Sept. 6 at Wyoming (War Memorial Stadium / Laramie, Wyo.)
- Sept. 13 vs. Eastern Washington (UNI-Dome / Cedar Falls, Iowa)
- Sept. 20 at Utah Tech (Greater Zion Stadium / St. George, Utah)
- Sept. 27 - BYE
- Oct. 4 vs. North Dakota (UNI-Dome / Cedar Falls, Iowa)
- Oct. 11 at South Dakota State (Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium / Brookings, S.D.)
- Oct. 18 vs. South Dakota (UNI-Dome / Cedar Falls, Iowa)
- Oct. 25 at Southern Illinois (Saluki Stadium / Carbondale, Ill.)
- Nov. 1 at Illinois State (Hancock Stadium / Normal, Ill.)
- Nov. 8 vs. Murray State (UNI-Dome / Cedar Falls, Iowa)
- Nov. 15 at North Dakota State (Fargodome / Fargo, N.D.)
- Nov. 22 vs. Youngstown State (UNI-Dome / Cedar Falls, Iowa)
UNI Athletics action can be followed all year long on social media on Facebook (UNI Athletics), X (@UNIAthletics) and on Instagram (@uniathletics). Schedules and rosters, along with the latest Panther news and information can be found online at UNIpanthers.com.