712 Digital Group - top

Scuffling Iowa hosts dangerous Northern Iowa

Sports

September 14th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Northern Iowa’s near-upset of Iowa three years ago was one of the more stunning afternoons the Hawkeyes have ever had. Hardly anyone would be shocked if the Panthers finish the job in Iowa City on Saturday. Northern Iowa (1-1) of the FCS made a serious run at two-time Big Ten champion Wisconsin in Madison two weeks ago before losing 26-21. Iowa (1-1) struggled to get past Northern Illinois before a dismal showing in a 9-6 loss at home to Iowa State last week. The Panthers are 9-22 against FBS opponents since 1985. That stretch included that 17-16 loss at Iowa in 2009 in which the Hawkeyes blocked potential game-winning field goals on back-to-back plays, an NCAA first, to survive.