1997 Northern Iowa Panthers football team

American college football season March 2026 January 2026 1997 Northern Iowa Panthers football Gateway Football Conference Gateway 7–4 5–1 Mike Dunbar 1st UNI-Dome The 1997 Northern Iowa Panthers football team represented the University of Northern Iowa as a member of the Gateway Football Conference during the 1997 NCAA Division I-AA football season. Led by first-year head coach Mike Dunbar, the Panthers compiled an overall record of 7–4 with a mark of 5–1 in conference play, and finished second in the Gateway. Schedule 1997 NCAA Division I-AA The Sports Network September 6 l y y 4 Iowa 20 (I-A) Kinnick Stadium Iowa City, IA 0–66 66,325 https://www.newspapers.com/article/omaha-world-herald-iowa-goes-to-banks-c/188352582/ Omaha World-Herald Iowa goes to Banks, cashes in 66 points September 7, 1997 January 6, 2026 Newspapers.com September 13 w y 13 1997 Mankato State Mavericks Mankato State UNI-Dome Cedar Falls, IA 39–15 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-nonpareil-uni-whips-mankato/188352949/ The Daily Nonpareil UNI whips Mankato September 14, 1996 January 6, 2026 Newspapers.com September 20 l y y 12 McNeese State 16 Cowboy Stadium Lake Charles, LA 5–22 11,627 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120236654/no-13-uni-upset-on-road/ The Des Moines Register No. 13 UNI upset on road September 21, 1997 January 6, 2026 Newspapers.com September 27 w 23 Southern Illinois UNI-Dome Cedar Falls, IA 28–27 12,829 McCool Dan Panthers hang on in final minute https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92682061/the-des-moines-register/ January 6, 2026 The Des Moines Register September 28, 1997 8D Newspapers.com October 4 w y 23 Illinois State Hancock Stadium Normal, IL 50–34 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-panthers-erupt-for-5034-win/188353530/ The Courier Panthers erupt for 50–34 win October 5, 1997 January 6, 2026 Newspapers.com October 11 l y 17 Western Illinois 5 Hanson Field Macomb, IL 22–29 2OT 13,446 2 OTs: UNI stumbles https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88482131/ January 6, 2026 The Des Moines Register Associated Press October 12, 1997 6D Newspapers.com October 18 w 24 Youngstown State 1 UNI-Dome Cedar Falls, IA 35–32 12,218 https://www.newspapers.com/article/globe-gazette-uni-streak-at-25/188354020/ The Globe-Gazette UNI streak at 25 October 19, 1997 January 6, 2026 Newspapers.com October 25 l y y 17 Cal Poly Mustang Stadium San Luis Obispo, CA 24–38 8,427 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-gazette-flat-panthers-flattened-so/188354452/ The Gazette 'Flat' Panthers flattened some more by talented Cal Poly October 26, 1997 January 6, 2026 Newspapers.com November 1 w y Southwest Missouri State Plaster Sports Complex Springfield, MO 23–22 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-fortney-norther/150372133/ The Des Moines Register Fortney, Northern Iowa outlast Bears in Gateway thriller November 2, 1997 January 6, 2026 Newspapers.com November 8 w y 1997 Southern Utah Thunderbirds Southern Utah UNI-Dome Cedar Falls, IA 53–33 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-nonpareil-fortney-paces-panthe/188354853/ The Daily Nonpareil Fortney paces Panthers November 9, 1996 January 6, 2026 Newspapers.com November 15 w Indiana State UNI-Dome Cedar Falls, IA 29–21 3OT https://www.newspapers.com/article/quad-city-times-panthers-win-in-3-overti/188355106/ Quad-City Times Panthers win in 3 overtimes November 16, 1996 January 6, 2026 Newspapers.com References Northern Iowa Category:Northern Iowa Panthers football seasons Northern Iowa Panthers football