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(STATS) - Long before the Big Sky/MVFC Challenge Series was created, Northern Iowa embraced the concept with its nonconference scheduling.
Thus, it wasn't surprising Wednesday when the Missouri Valley Football Conference power announced home-and-home agreements with Big Sky members Idaho State and Weber State in 2019 and '20.
Idaho State will play in the UNI-Dome on Sept. 21, 2019, before the Bengals will host the Panthers at Holt Arena on Sept. 12, 2020. UNI will play at Weber State on Sept. 28, 2019, and host the Wildcats in the UNI-Dome on Sept. 19, 2020.
UNI holds a 2-0 series lead over Idaho State and a 2-1 edge on Weber State.
The Panthers have played at least one Big Sky opponent each year since 2013, with Montana this year's season-opening opponent on Sept. 1. They already had Southern Utah, another Big Sky member, on their 12-game 2019 schedule along with Iowa State. On their 11-game 2020 schedule, they also will play Iowa.
