Savannah State to play at MVFC powerhouse Northern Iowa in 2012

CEDAR FALLS, IOWA -- The University of Northern Iowa football team has announced its complete 2012 schedule, and the slate is highlighted by two games against Division I FBS opponents for the first time since 2001. UNI will play six road games and five home contests in 2012.

In addition to road games at Big Ten schools Wisconsin and Iowa on Sept. 1 and Sept. 15, respectively, the Panthers have scheduled a home non-conference game for Sept. 8 against Savannah State of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). An eight-game Missouri Valley Football Conference slate fills out the remainder of the season.

With the MVFC expanding to 10 members when the University of South Dakota joins in 2012, each school will have one conference school left off the schedule each season. UNI and Indiana State will not meet on the gridiron for the first time since the formation of the league in 1985.

Along with the home opener against Savannah State on Sept. 8, UNI will host North Dakota State (Sept. 29 - Family Weekend), South Dakota State (Oct. 20 - Homecoming), Illinois State (Oct. 27 - Hall of Fame) and Missouri State (Nov. 17 - Senior Day).

2012 UNI Football Schedule

Sept. 1 at Wisconsin

Sept. 8 Savannah State

Sept. 15 at Iowa

Sept. 22 at Youngstown State

Sept. 29 North Dakota State (Family Weekend)

Oct. 6 Open

Oct. 13 at Southern Illinois

Oct. 20 South Dakota State (Homecoming)

Oct. 27 Illinois State (Hall of Fame)

Nov. 3 at Western Illinois

Nov. 10 at South Dakota

Nov. 17 Missouri State (Senior Day)

The University of Northern Iowa football team fell to the Montana Grizzlies in the 2011 NCAA FCS quarterfinals at Washington-Grizzly Stadium, 48-10. UNI finished the 2011 season with a 10-3 record. UNI is 19-16 in the FCS playoffs all-time.

Savannah State finished their first season under Coach Steve Davenport with a 1-10 record.

Courtesy: UNI Athletics Communications