The Northern Iowa Panthers have announced their 2021 football schedule. The slate features five home games and eight MVFC tilts.

Northern Iowa opens the fall 2021 season on Saturday, Sept. 4 at the Iowa State Cyclones, with a trip to take on the Sacramento State Hornets the following weekend on Sept. 11.

The Panthers open their home slate at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls, Iowa, on Sept. 18 against the St. Thomas Tommies. St. Thomas joins the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) this season with a big jump up from Division III.

After an open date on Sept. 25, Northern Iowa kicks off their Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) schedule at home against Youngstown State on Oct. 2. South Dakota (Oct. 16), Southern Illinois (Oct. 30), and Western Illinois (Nov. 20) round out the Panthers’ home schedule.

The Panthers begin road play in the MVFC with a visit to defending national champion North Dakota State on Oct. 9. South Dakota State (Oct. 23), Illinois State (Nov. 6), and Missouri State (Nov. 13) complete the road grouping.

Below is the complete Northern Iowa football schedule for the fall 2021 season:

2021 Northern Iowa Football Schedule

• 09/04 – at Iowa State
• 09/11 – at Sacramento State
• 09/18 – St. Thomas
• 09/25 – OFF
• 10/02 – Youngstown State
• 10/09 – at North Dakota State
• 10/16 – South Dakota
• 10/23 – at South Dakota State
• 10/30 – Southern Illinois
• 11/06 – at Illinois State
• 11/13 – at Missouri State
• 11/20 – Western Illinois

Northern Iowa is scheduled to play their postponed fall 2020 season this spring. The Panthers open their eight-game spring schedule on Friday, Feb. 19 at home against South Dakota State.

Northern Iowa Football Schedule