After months of waiting, game day is finally here! The Hawkeyes are set to open their 2026 season at home in the friendly confines of Kinnick Stadium as they play host to the Northern Illinois Huskies.
The Huskies come to Iowa City with a new head coach, a new conference and hopes for a new season after finishing just 3-9 overall and 2-6 in the MAC a year ago. Following the conclusion of the year, longtime head coach Thomas Hammock left the team to join the Seattle Seahawks as running backs coach.
The program also departed the MAC to join the Mountain West.
Now NIU enters 2026 with former defensive coordinator Rob Harley as the “interim” head coach, though he is approaching things as though this is his team. Despite the February transition, Harley was able to retain 93 of the 96 players on the roster after Hammock left and has spent the offseason building around his cultural ideals. And they sound pretty similar to those of head coach Kirk Ferentz.
Look for the Huskies to rely on returning RB Telly Johnson as they hope to establish the run and limit mistakes with an emphasis on winning the turnover battle. Like Iowa, Northern Illinois is yet to name a starting quarterback for the opener with senior Jalen Macon, junior Taron Dickens and sophomore Brady Davidson all listed on the depth chart as potential options. Part of that focus on limiting turnovers will be leaning into the run game while focusing the passing attack on short and intermediate throws, largely to slot WR DeAree Rogers.
While Harley wants to emphasize limiting mistakes, winning the turnover battle and establishing the run, the other key component he called out in media availability this week was winning the explosive plays battle. That’s something Iowa has historically not called out, though offensive coordinator Tim Lester has certainly made them more of a focal point in his short tenure in Iowa City.
For the Hawkeyes, it will be interesting to see how Lester balances what appears to be the most talented running back group Iowa has had in a decade against the need to make a decision at quarterback. Both Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski are expected to get extended looks and multi drives today. But how much will Lester and Ferentz allow them to do against an opponent Iowa should be able to manhandle in the trenches, especially with all that talent in the backfield?
It will also be interesting to see how Phil Parker approaches rotations on a rebuilt defense. The Hawkeyes are breaking in a slew of new starters and are looking for answers along the defensive line. How they manage through that knowing the Huskies are looking to their DNA, which is similar to that of Iowa, will be worth noting.
As we countdown to kickoff, here’s everything you need to know about today’s matchup.
Date: Saturday, September 5th
Time: 3:15 pm CT
Matchup: Northern Illinois Huskies (0-0, 0-0) at #22 Iowa Hawkeyes (0-0, 0-0)
Location: Kinnick Stadium – Iowa City, IA
TV: BTN
Updated Weather Forecast: mostly sunny with temps in the low 90s
Updated FanDuel Line: Iowa -31.5, O/U 44.5
