How to watch UNI vs. Iowa: Preview, TV schedule, odds, more
The Hawkeyes start a promising 2014 season against a feisty in-state rival. Here’s what to watch and how to watch it.
The Iowa Hawkeyes open their 2014 campaign Saturday against in-state FCS rival Northern Iowa. Kickoff at Kinnick Stadium is scheduled for noon ET on the Big Ten Network.
Iowa rebounded from a miserable 4-8 season in 2012 to win eight games. The Hawkeyes return eight starters on offense, including preseason All-American left tackle Brandon Scherff and junior quarterback Jake Rudock. Of course, this is Iowa, and Iowa is going to run the ball. The Hawkeyes return their top six rushers from last season, including starting tailback Mark Weisman.
Defensively, the Hawkeyes must replace three starting linebackers and half of their defensive backfield. However, the defensive line should be a strength, led by senior tackles Carl Davis and Louis Trinca-Pasat. Sophomore cornerback Desmond King was one of the Big Ten's best true freshmen in 2013.
Northern Iowa starts the season ranked in the FCS Top 25, and has a history of giving its bigger in-state brethren trouble. The Panthers knocked off Iowa State in Ames to start last season and nearly defeated Iowa in Kinnick Stadium in 2009. Iowa needed to block back-to-back field goal attempts at the end of that game to escape with a one-point victory.
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How to witness
TV: Noon ET on BTN
Radio: AM 800 KXIC in Iowa City will provide coverage for Iowa fans, while 1540 AM KXEL covers the Panthers in Cedar Falls.
Online streaming: BTN2Go
The numbers
Rankings and records: Iowa enters the season unranked, but receiving votes in both major polls. UNI is ranked No. 15 in the preseason FCS Coaches Poll.
Vegas: No line, as is typical for games between FBS and FCS programs.
Weather forecast: There is a 50 percent chance of storms in Iowa City Saturday, with game-time temperatures around 75 degrees.
Three names to know
Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa: The fifth-year senior opted to come back to school rather than enter the 2014 NFL Draft. He’s been rewarded with numerous All-American accolades. He also lifts heavy stuff, played quarterback in high school and might return punts. But if Iowa’s offense is going to improve from its pedestrian 2013 levels, it’s going to be behind Scherff.
Mark Weisman, HB, Iowa: Two years ago, Weisman was a walk-on fullback who had left Air Force and found a home at Iowa. But with Northern Iowa in town, Iowa’s top two running backs were injured within minutes of each other, and Weisman was suddenly the best option as Iowa’s primary running threat. He ran for 113 yards and three scores against the Panthers that day, followed it with a 217-yard performance against Central Michigan and 177 yards against Minnesota, and has been Iowa’s top halfback ever since. UNI didn’t want to tackle Weisman in 2012. If they’re going to pull the upset this year, the Panthers are going to have to tackle Weisman Saturday.
David Johnson, RB, UNI: With that said, the top returning runner in Saturday's game isn't Weisman. It's Johnson, who ran for 1,286 yards last year. His 117 yards per game was 10th nationally in FCS. And if there is a question of whether Johnson's stats were padded against lesser competition, he ran for 199 yards and set a school record for touchdowns against Iowa State. Johnson might not be just the best back in the state of Iowa, but the best back that Iowa will see until November.
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Two things at stake
Iowa has not lost to UNI in this century or the last: The Hawkeyes lost 11-5 against the Panthers in 1898 and haven’t been defeated by UNI since. Iowa is also undefeated all-time against UNI in Iowa City. Both streaks will be on the line, along with Iowa’s entire season.
Northern Iowa could not just end Iowa’s 116-year winning streak, but catapult itself into national title contention with a win on Saturday.
Further reading
Go to Black Heart Gold Pants for all the news you need about Iowa football.
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