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In-state rivalries are disappearing by the day in college football today, but not in the state of Iowa. 

The Cy-Hawk rivalry has already been extended through the 2031 season, but the Cyclones won't be the only in-state foe on Iowa football's schedule this season. 

For the first time since 2018, the Hawkeyes will do battle with Northern Iowa. The Panthers are far removed from their glory days under Mark Farley, but are probably eager for the opportunity to compete against a highly-respected FBS rival. 

Kickoff is set for an odd 3:00 p.m. start (FS1 will televise it) at Kinnick Stadium on Sept. 19. While you anxiously wait for the season to get going, take some time to learn about this rebuilding Northern Iowa squad. 

The Coach 

For all the success Mark Farley had early in his tenure, his UNI program fizzled out towards the end of it. After going 10-5 and reaching the FCS quarterfinals in 2019, the Panthers failed to win more than six games over the next five years, culminating in a disastrous 3-9 campaign in 2024. 

Farley retired after that woeful season, and the school named Drake head coach Todd Stepsis as their next head coach in December 2024. 

After beginning his career as an assistant at the Division-III (Capital University) and Division-II (Saginaw Valley State) levels, Stepsis moved to Iowa in 2014 and has remained in the state ever since. 

The Ohio native served as Drake's defensive coordinator for five seasons before being promoted to head coach in 2019.

Winning games at Drake is always a challenge due to the university not issuing football scholarships to student-athletes, but the Bulldogs returned to Pioneer Football League contention under Stepsis, winning back-to-back league crowns in 2023 and 2024 to earn the conference's automatic berth to the FCS playoffs. 

Stepsis' first season in Cedar Falls was expected to be a rebuilding one, and the Panthers finished 3-9 overall and 1-7 in Missouri Valley Football Conference action. 

Key Returners

FCS programs are notorious for losing most of their talent in the transfer portal (Iowa benefited from it), but Northern Iowa managed to return a lot of key pieces because of its poor 2025 record. 

The Panthers return six offensive starters and eight defensive starters, giving Stepsis and Co. a valuable supporting cast to build around. It starts at the top with fifth-year quarterback Jaxon Dailey, who was the starter for the final four games of the 2025 campaign. 

Dailey – who has FBS experience at Arkansas State – raised eyebrows after throwing for 352 yards and two scores against a playoff-bound Youngstown State team in the season finale. 

Dailey was on of six quarterbacks named to the 2026 MVFC preseason watch list, and he'll have plenty of weapons to throw to. JC Roque Jr. (595 yds, 7 TD) and Ayden Price (365 yds, 2 TD) are the names to watch here. 

UNI also has returning help on defense, with fifth-year Jordan McClom (53 tackles, 4 PBUs) manning the secondary. Like his quarterback Dailey, McClom also ended the 2025 season on a high note, collecting a season-high seven tackles against Youngstown State. 

Key Newcomers 

The Panthers also added plenty of reinforcements, with most of them coming over to the defensive side of the ball. UNI was 70th in total defense in 2025, and it's hoping transfers like Northern Colorado defensive back Mekhi Toms (35 tackles), South Dakota State linebacker Andrew Price, and Northern Illinois defensive end CJ Wade can improve in their new homes. 

Season Outlook 

Returning some of their nucleus could help the Panthers take a step forward in 2026, but analysts are expecting another rebuilding season. FCS Football Central eyes 2027 as a potential breakout year for UNI. 

The Panthers were picked seventh out of nine teams in the MVFC preseason poll.

You Can Win FREE Tickets To Iowa's Season Opener! 

HawkeyeRoundtable is giving away TWO tickets to Iowa's season opener against Northern Illinois on Sept. 5! 

This is easily the biggest giveaway we've ever done on this site, and it's a great opportunity for two lucky fans to experience the joy of attending a Hawkeye football game at Kinnick Stadium. 

Click here to automatically become a member to enter the contest! Additional contest details can be found in our community section, too! 

HawkeyeRoundtable publisher Brad Schultz has covered the Iowa Hawkeyes since 2023. To send him story ideas, scoops, or criticize his writing, reach him at bradschultz@roundtable.io

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