Aug. 6, 2004
IOWA CITY – A home game with Northern Iowa has been added to the University of Iowa’s 2005 football schedule, completing Iowa’s 11-game slate with a sixth home game. The announcement was made Friday by Bob Bowlsby, Iowa’s Director of Athletics.
“We’re pleased to have the 2005 schedule complete after receiving the signed contract from Northern Iowa,” said Bowlsby. “It’s a good fit in that we were able to secure the home date we needed. Additionally, Northern Iowa has a well-deserved reputation as one of the top Division I-AA programs in the nation. This game satisfies the needs of both programs and creates interest throughout the state for the early portion of the 2005 season.”
Iowa opens the 2005 season by hosting Ball State on September 3. After a game at Iowa State the following weekend, the Hawkeyes will host the Panthers on September 17. The Big Ten Conference season begins with a road game at Ohio State. Indiana and Northwestern return to the Iowa schedule in 2005 and 2006, while the Hawkeyes do not meet Penn State and Michigan State.
Along with Ball State and Northern Iowa, the Hawkeyes will host Big Ten Conference games against Illinois (Homecoming, Oct. 1), Indiana (Family Weekend, Oct. 15), Michigan (Oct. 22) and Minnesota (Nov. 19). Along with trips to Ames and Columbus, Iowa also plays at Purdue (Oct. 8), Northwestern (Nov. 5) and Wisconsin (Nov. 12)
Iowa holds a 12-1 series advantage over Northern Iowa, including a 66-0 win in 1997 when the teams last met. Iowa scored a 34-13 victory in 1995 in the first meeting between the in-state rivals since 1914.