CEDAR FALLS – The University of Northern Iowa football team opens the 2013 season against the Iowa State Cyclones on Aug. 31 in Ames, Iowa.
Iowa State leads the series 20-4, with the series between the two teams starting in 1899. In the last meeting between the two teams, Iowa State defeated UNI by just one point in 2011, 20-19. The last time the Panthers beat Iowa State was in 2007 when UNI posted a 24-13 win in Ames.
UNI will open the 2013 season at No. 16/17 after ending the 2012 season on a three-game winning streak. Iowa State finished with an overall record of 6-7 and a conference record of 3-6 last season, losing three of its last four games. The Panthers have 13 starters returning this season while the Cyclones will be bringing back 11. David Johnson has shined in his last three games against FBS opponents and will look to lead the Panther offense. Johnson notched 398 combined all-purpose yards against Iowa State (2011), Wisconsin (2012) and Iowa (2012).
The last time the Panthers faced off against the Cyclones was in 2011 when Iowa State beat UNI by one point, 20-19. UNI took the lead with less than five minutes remaining in the game on an 80-yard pass from Tirrell Rennie to David Johnson for a touchdown to make the score 19-14, but Iowa State scored with 40 seconds left in the game on a one-yard rush to win 20-19.
