The Iowa Fighting Hawks represent the University of Northern Iowa in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) level. They have been a member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) since 2008 and play their home games at UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The Fighting Hawks are led by head coach Mark Farley, who has been with the program since 2001.
The 2024 Iowa Fighting Hawks football schedule has been announced, and it features a challenging mix of home and away games. The Fighting Hawks will open their season on the road against the Northern Illinois Huskies on August 31, 2024. They will then return home for their home opener against the South Dakota State Jackrabbits on September 7. After a bye week, Iowa will travel to take on the Missouri State Bears on September 21. They will then return home for a Homecoming game against the Western Illinois Leathernecks on September 28.
The Fighting Hawks will then hit the road for a two-game road trip, facing the Indiana State Sycamores on October 5 and the Southern Illinois Salukis on October 12. They will then return home for a three-game homestand, hosting the North Dakota State Bison on October 19, the South Dakota Coyotes on October 26, and the Youngstown State Penguins on November 2.
Iowa Football Schedule 2024
Challenging mix of home and away games.
- Season opener: Northern Illinois Huskies
- Home opener: South Dakota State Jackrabbits
- Two-game road trip: Indiana State Sycamores, Southern Illinois Salukis
- Three-game homestand: North Dakota State Bison, South Dakota Coyotes, Youngstown State Penguins
- Regular season finale: at Missouri State Bears
- Homecoming game: Western Illinois Leathernecks
The Fighting Hawks will look to build on their success from the 2023 season, when they finished with a 10-3 record and advanced to the FCS playoffs.
Season opener: Northern Illinois Huskies
The Iowa Fighting Hawks will open their 2024 season on the road against the Northern Illinois Huskies on August 31, 2024. This will be the first meeting between the two teams since 2016, when the Huskies defeated the Fighting Hawks 34-28 in Cedar Falls.
The Huskies are coming off a 9-5 season in 2023, including a 6-2 record in the Mid-American Conference (MAC). They finished the season with a 34-31 victory over the Eastern Michigan Eagles in the Quick Lane Bowl.
The Fighting Hawks will be looking to avenge their loss to the Huskies in 2016 and start the 2024 season with a victory. The game will be a good test for both teams, as both are expected to be competitive in their respective conferences.
The Huskies are led by head coach Thomas Hammock, who is entering his fourth season at the helm. He has a 22-15 record as head coach of the Huskies.
The Fighting Hawks will be looking to start the 2024 season strong with a victory over the Huskies. The game will be a good opportunity for the Fighting Hawks to show their potential and set the tone for the rest of the season.
Home opener: South Dakota State Jackrabbits
The Iowa Fighting Hawks will return home for their home opener against the South Dakota State Jackrabbits on September 7, 2024. This will be the first meeting between the two teams since 2019, when the Fighting Hawks defeated the Jackrabbits 24-20 in Brookings, South Dakota.
- Rivalry renewed: The Fighting Hawks and Jackrabbits have a long and competitive rivalry, dating back to 1961. The two teams have met 31 times overall, with the Jackrabbits holding a 17-13-1 advantage in the series.
- Tough test for Fighting Hawks: The Jackrabbits are one of the top teams in the FCS, and they will be a tough test for the Fighting Hawks in their home opener. South Dakota State is coming off a 13-1 season in 2023, including a perfect 8-0 record in the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC). They finished the season with a 45-21 victory over the Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens in the FCS Championship Game.
- Home-field advantage: The Fighting Hawks will be looking to use their home-field advantage to their advantage against the Jackrabbits. UNI-Dome is one of the toughest places to play in the FCS, and the Fighting Hawks have a strong home record.
- Key matchup: The key matchup in this game will be the Fighting Hawks’ offense against the Jackrabbits’ defense. The Fighting Hawks have one of the most potent offenses in the FCS, led by quarterback Theo Day and running back Tyler Hoosman. The Jackrabbits have one of the top defenses in the FCS, led by linebacker Adam Bock and defensive back Cale Reeder.
The Fighting Hawks will be looking to start the 2024 season with a victory over the Jackrabbits and set the tone for the rest of the season. The game will be a good opportunity for the Fighting Hawks to show their potential and prove that they are one of the top teams in the FCS.
Two-game road trip: Indiana State Sycamores, Southern Illinois Salukis
The Iowa Fighting Hawks will hit the road for a two-game road trip, facing the Indiana State Sycamores on October 5 and the Southern Illinois Salukis on October 12, 2024.
The Fighting Hawks will first travel to Terre Haute, Indiana to take on the Indiana State Sycamores. The Sycamores are coming off a 7-5 season in 2023, including a 5-3 record in the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC). They finished the season with a 26-21 victory over the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks in the FCS Playoffs.
The Fighting Hawks will then travel to Carbondale, Illinois to take on the Southern Illinois Salukis. The Salukis are coming off a 6-6 season in 2023, including a 4-4 record in the MVFC. They finished the season with a 24-17 victory over the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks.
The Fighting Hawks will be looking to sweep their two-game road trip and improve their record to 4-2 on the season. The games will be a good test for the Fighting Hawks, as both the Sycamores and Salukis are expected to be competitive in the MVFC in 2024.
The Fighting Hawks will need to play their best football on the road in order to come away with two victories. The games will be a good opportunity for the Fighting Hawks to show their resilience and prove that they can win in hostile environments.
Three-game homestand: North Dakota State Bison, South Dakota Coyotes, Youngstown State Penguins
The Iowa Fighting Hawks will return home for a three-game homestand, hosting the North Dakota State Bison on October 19, the South Dakota Coyotes on October 26, and the Youngstown State Penguins on November 2, 2024.
The Fighting Hawks will first host the North Dakota State Bison, their biggest rival. The Bison are coming off a 15-0 season in 2023, including a victory over the Montana Grizzlies in the FCS Championship Game. They are one of the most dominant teams in the FCS, and they will be a tough test for the Fighting Hawks.
The Fighting Hawks will then host the South Dakota Coyotes. The Coyotes are coming off a 7-5 season in 2023, including a 5-3 record in the MVFC. They finished the season with a 23-21 victory over the Northern Iowa Panthers.
The Fighting Hawks will then host the Youngstown State Penguins. The Penguins are coming off a 9-3 season in 2023, including a 6-2 record in the MVFC. They finished the season with a 27-24 victory over the Eastern Kentucky Colonels.
The Fighting Hawks will be looking to sweep their three-game homestand and improve their record to 7-2 on the season. The games will be a good opportunity for the Fighting Hawks to show their dominance at home and prove that they are one of the top teams in the MVFC.
Regular season finale: at Missouri State Bears
The Iowa Fighting Hawks will conclude their 2024 regular season on the road against the Missouri State Bears on November 16, 2024.
The Bears are coming off a 5-7 season in 2023, including a 3-5 record in the MVFC. They finished the season with a 23-16 victory over the Western Illinois Leathernecks.
The Fighting Hawks and Bears have met 32 times overall, with the Fighting Hawks holding a 21-10-1 advantage in the series. The two teams last met in 2023, with the Fighting Hawks defeating the Bears 31-24 in Cedar Falls.
The Fighting Hawks will be looking to end the regular season on a high note and improve their record to 8-4. The game will also be a good opportunity for the Fighting Hawks to get revenge on the Bears for their loss in 2023.
The Fighting Hawks will need to play their best football in order to defeat the Bears on the road. The game will be a good test for the Fighting Hawks, and it will be a good way to prepare for the FCS Playoffs.
Homecoming game: Western Illinois Leathernecks
The Iowa Fighting Hawks will host the Western Illinois Leathernecks for their Homecoming game on September 28, 2024.
- Rivalry renewed: The Fighting Hawks and Leathernecks have a long and competitive rivalry, dating back to 1902. The two teams have met 63 times overall, with the Fighting Hawks holding a 36-24-3 advantage in the series.
- Homecoming tradition: The Homecoming game is a special tradition at the University of Northern Iowa. The game is a celebration of the university and its alumni, and it is always a sellout crowd at UNI-Dome.
- Tough test for Fighting Hawks: The Leathernecks are coming off a 7-5 season in 2023, including a 5-3 record in the MVFC. They finished the season with a 23-16 victory over the Missouri State Bears.
- Key matchup: The key matchup in this game will be the Fighting Hawks’ offense against the Leathernecks’ defense. The Fighting Hawks have one of the most potent offenses in the FCS, led by quarterback Theo Day and running back Tyler Hoosman. The Leathernecks have one of the top defenses in the MVFC, led by linebacker Adam Bock and defensive back Cale Reeder.
The Fighting Hawks will be looking to win their Homecoming game and improve their record to 3-2 on the season. The game will be a good opportunity for the Fighting Hawks to show their dominance at home and prove that they are one of the top teams in the MVFC.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Iowa Fighting Hawks 2024 football schedule:
Question 1: When is the Iowa Fighting Hawks’ first game in 2024?
Answer: The Iowa Fighting Hawks’ first game in 2024 is on August 31, 2024, against the Northern Illinois Huskies.
Question 2: Where is the Iowa Fighting Hawks’ home opener in 2024?
Answer: The Iowa Fighting Hawks’ home opener in 2024 is on September 7, 2024, against the South Dakota State Jackrabbits.
Question 3: How many home games do the Iowa Fighting Hawks have in 2024?
Answer: The Iowa Fighting Hawks have six home games in 2024.
Question 4: How many away games do the Iowa Fighting Hawks have in 2024?
Answer: The Iowa Fighting Hawks have six away games in 2024.
Question 5: Who is the Iowa Fighting Hawks’ biggest rival?
Answer: The Iowa Fighting Hawks’ biggest rival is the North Dakota State Bison.
Question 6: What is the Iowa Fighting Hawks’ Homecoming game in 2024?
Answer: The Iowa Fighting Hawks’ Homecoming game in 2024 is on September 28, 2024, against the Western Illinois Leathernecks.
Question 7: Where can I find more information about the Iowa Fighting Hawks’ 2024 football schedule?
Answer: You can find more information about the Iowa Fighting Hawks’ 2024 football schedule on the university’s official athletics website.
There you have it – some of the frequently asked questions about the Iowa Fighting Hawks football team and its 2024 schedule. Be sure to follow the team throughout the season to cheer them on and witness some exciting football action!
In addition to the FAQ section above, here are some additional tips for following the Iowa Fighting Hawks football team in 2024:
Tips
Here are a few tips for following the Iowa Fighting Hawks football team in 2024:
Tip 1: Buy tickets early.
Tickets for Iowa Fighting Hawks football games tend to sell out quickly, so it’s a good idea to purchase your tickets as early as possible. You can purchase tickets online, over the phone, or at the UNI-Dome ticket office.
Tip 2: Arrive early.
To avoid long lines and traffic congestion, it’s a good idea to arrive at UNI-Dome early on game day. You’ll have more time to find your seat, grab a bite to eat, and soak up the pre-game atmosphere.
Tip 3: Wear purple and gold.
Show your support for the Fighting Hawks by wearing their colors, purple and gold. You’ll fit right in with the other fans and help create a sea of purple and gold in the stands.
Tip 4: Be loud and proud.
Iowa Fighting Hawks fans are known for being loud and proud. Make sure to cheer on the team and help create a hostile environment for the opposing team.
Following these tips will help you make the most of your Iowa Fighting Hawks football game experience in 2024. So get your tickets early, arrive early, wear purple and gold, and be loud and proud!
Now that you know all about the Iowa Fighting Hawks’ 2024 football schedule and have some tips for following the team, it’s time to start planning your game day experience. Whether you’re a season ticket holder or just a casual fan, there’s something for everyone at a Fighting Hawks football game.
Conclusion
The Iowa Fighting Hawks football team has a challenging schedule ahead of them in 2024, but they are up for the challenge. The team has a good mix of home and away games, and they will face some of the top teams in the FCS. With a strong returning cast of players and a talented coaching staff, the Fighting Hawks are poised for a successful season in 2024.
Here are some of the main points to remember about the Iowa Fighting Hawks’ 2024 football schedule:
- The Fighting Hawks will open their season on the road against the Northern Illinois Huskies on August 31, 2024.
- They will then return home for their home opener against the South Dakota State Jackrabbits on September 7, 2024.
- The Fighting Hawks will have a two-game road trip in October, facing the Indiana State Sycamores and Southern Illinois Salukis.
- They will then return home for a three-game homestand, hosting the North Dakota State Bison, South Dakota Coyotes, and Youngstown State Penguins.
- The Fighting Hawks will conclude their regular season on the road against the Missouri State Bears on November 16, 2024.
- The Fighting Hawks will host the Western Illinois Leathernecks for their Homecoming game on September 28, 2024.
The Fighting Hawks will be looking to build on their success from the 2023 season, when they finished with a 10-3 record and advanced to the FCS playoffs. With a challenging schedule ahead of them, the Fighting Hawks will need to be at their best in order to reach their goals in 2024.
So mark your calendars and get ready for an exciting season of Iowa Fighting Hawks football in 2024! Go Hawks!