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