One of college wrestling’s most historic in-state rivalries is returning to the mat.
The University of Iowa and the University of Northern Iowa will meet for the first time in nearly 15 years when the Hawkeyes travel to Cedar Falls to face the Panthers on December 11th inside the UNI-Dome.
The dual renews a series that dates back to 1930 and has long been a fixture of wrestling in the state of Iowa. The Hawkeyes hold a 44-8-2 advantage in the all-time series and have won 36 consecutive duals against the Panthers.
The last meeting came on Dec. 8, 2011, when Iowa earned a 38-4 victory in Iowa City. Northern Iowa’s last win in the rivalry came in 1974, when the Panthers claimed a 17-15 victory.
Adding another layer of intrigue is the connection between the two head coaches.
Northern Iowa head coach Doug Schwab built much of his wrestling career in black and gold. A former Hawkeye All-American, Schwab later returned to Iowa as an assistant coach, where he worked alongside current Iowa head coach Tom Brands. Schwab also wrestled under Brands during his collegiate career, making this matchup a reunion between mentor and former student.
Brands has enjoyed success against his UNI, posting a 6-0 record against the Panthers as Iowa’s head coach. Fittingly, the first dual victory of Brands’ Hawkeye coaching career came against Northern Iowa, an 18-15 win in Cedar Falls during the 2006 season.
The return of the rivalry also brings Iowa wrestling back to one of the state’s iconic venues. The UNI-Dome has hosted countless memorable wrestling events over the years, and on December 11th, it will once again serve as the backdrop for an in-state showdown between two nationally recognized programs.
Regardless of the outcome, the renewed matchup rekindles a rivalry that has connected generations of wrestlers, coaches, and fans across Iowa.
Nearly 95 years after the programs first met in 1930, Iowa and Northern Iowa will once again share the mat, adding another chapter to one of college wrestling’s most enduring rivalries.