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Northern Iowa Panthers Drake Bulldogs | |
Sport | Multi-sport |
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First meeting | October 3, 1900 |
62miles Drake
Northern Iowa
Locations of the University of Northern Iowa
and Drake University
The Northern Iowa–Drake rivalry is the American collegiate athletics rivalry between the Northern Iowa Panthers sports teams of the University of Northern Iowa and the Drake Bulldogs sports teams of Drake University.
Both universities are located in the State of Iowa and are members of the Missouri Valley Conference. Northern Iowa's campus located in Cedar Falls and Drake's campus located in Des Moines are only 124 miles apart. The universities are two of the Big Four (NCAA Division I institutions in Iowa) schools, along with the University of Iowa and Iowa State University.
Background
The University of Northern Iowa is a public institution founded in 1876. The Panthers joined the Missouri Valley Conference in 1991. Drake University is a private institution founded in 1881. The Bulldogs were one of the charter members of the Missouri Valley Conference. The schools have been in-state rivals since their founding; however, the rivalry intensified when the Panthers joined the Missouri Valley Conference.
Baseball
Northern Iowa and Drake have played forty-eight official NCAA baseball games. Their first official intercollegiate meeting occurred in 1907; however, the teams played unofficial games dating back to 1885. Both Northern Iowa (2010) and Drake (1975) have since been re-classified from NCAA Division I to college club status.
The Panthers won the 2001 Missouri Valley Conference tournament advancing the NCAA Division I tournament regional round. The Bulldogs have not advance to the NCAA Division I tournament in the College World Series era (1947 to present).
Northern Iowa victories | Drake victories | Ties |
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Men's Basketball
The Panthers and Bulldogs first played in men's basketball in 1908; however, they only played six games prior to the 1980s. Northern Iowa upset top seed Kansas advancing to the NCAA Division I Sweet Sixteen in 2010. Drake appeared in the 1969 NCAA Division I Final Four (narrowly falling to UCLA) and has appeared in three NCAA Division I Elite Eights. They have combined for twelve Missouri Valley Conference regular season championships (Northern Iowa 3, Drake 9) and six Missouri Valley Conference tournament championships (Northern Iowa 5, Drake 1). The Panthers also won the 1990 Mid-Continent Conference tournament.
In 2019 Northern Iowa upset the number two seed co-regular season champion Drake in the Missouri Valley Conference tournament semifinals. The Bulldogs returned the favor in 2020 upsetting the number one seed Panthers in the Missouri Valley Conference tournament quarterfinals becoming the first eight or lower seed to defeat a one seed. The teams would have played again in the 2021 Missouri Valley Conference quarterfinal; however, the game was canceled due to COVID-19 issues within the Northern Iowa program causing Drake to advance in a walkover. They also met in the earlier rounds of the Missouri Valley Conference tournament on four occasions, splitting those games.
Northern Iowa victories | Drake victories | Ties |
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°The 2021 Missouri Valley Conference Tournament game scheduled for March 5 in Saint Louis was canceled due to a COVID-19 issue within the Northern Iowa program. Drake advanced to the semifinals in a walkover.
Women's Basketball
Northern Iowa and Drake's first official basketball game was in 1975. They had met informally prior to 1975 and the formation of their intercollegiate women's basketball teams. Northern Iowa has not advanced past the NCAA Division I first round. Drake advanced to the 1982 NCAA Division I Elite Eight and the NCAA Division I Sweet Sixteen twice. The Panthers and Bulldogs combine for ten Missouri Valley Conference regular season championships (Northern Iowa 3, Drake 7) and ten Missouri Valley Conference tournament championships (Northern Iowa 2, Drake 8). The Bulldogs also won the 1984 Gateway Division.
The teams met in the 2017 and 2018 Missouri Valley Tournament championship with Drake prevailing on both occasions; however, Northern Iowa defeated Drake in the 2016 Women's National Invitational Tournament. They also met three times in the earlier rounds of the Missouri Valley Conference tournament with the Bulldogs winning all three of the games.
Northern Iowa victories | Drake victories | Ties |
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Cross Country
Northern Iowa and Drake compete at the NCAA Division I level in men's and women's cross country. The Panther and Bulldog men's and women's teams have traditionally competed in NCAA Division I regionals and at the NCAA Division I championships. The men have won sixteen Missouri Valley Conference team championships (Northern Iowa 4, Drake 12) and women have won four Missouri Valley Conference team championships (Northern Iowa 2, Drake 2). Drake won the 1944, 1945, and 1946 NCAA Division I national cross country team championships.
Each school normally attends the other institutions home meet when held. The Panther Invitationals are hosted at Pheasant Ridge Golf Course in Cedar Falls, Iowa and the Drake Classic is hosted at Ewing Park in Des Moines, Iowa. They also compete against each other in Big Four Duels and other meets throughout the season.
Football
The Missouri Valley Conference has not officially sanctioned football since 1985. Football was discontinued by the conference due to the attendance and financial requirements to maintain “major” or "I-A" or “FBS” conference status. As a result, Northern Iowa joined the Gateway Football Conference (now known as the Missouri Valley Football Conference) and Drake joined the Pioneer Football League. The Missouri Valley Football Conference league offices are still connected to the Missouri Valley Conference office in Saint Louis, Missouri.
Northern Iowa (33) and Drake (13) have combined for 46 football conference championships. The Panthers played in the 2005 FCS National Championship. The Bulldogs were undefeated in major college football in 1922. Northern Iowa and Drake first met on the gridiron in 1900. The teams are scheduled to meet September 12, 2026, in Cedar Falls.
Northern Iowa victories | Drake victories | Ties |
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Golf
Northern Iowa and Drake compete at the NCAA Division I level in men's and women's golf. The Panther and Bulldog men's and women's teams have traditionally competed in NCAA Division I regionals and at the NCAA Division I championship. The Northern Iowa men, Panther women, and Bulldog women have not yet won a Missouri Valley Conference team championship. The Drake men have won five Missouri Valley Conference team championships.
The Panthers usually attend the Zach Johnson Invitational held at Glen Oaks Country Club while the Bulldogs normally attend the UNI Invitational held at Pheasant Ridge Golf Course. They also compete against each other in Big Four Duels and other meets throughout the season.
Rowing
The Drake women are currently the only team classified as an NCAA Division I rowing program. The Northern Iowa men and women, along with the Drake men, are currently classified as college club status.
Rowing is the oldest intercollegiate sport in the United States dating back to 1852 (prior to each institutions founding). The Panther and Bulldog men and women teams have transitioned in-between classification dating back to 1876 (Northern Iowa) and 1881 (Drake). The teams have competed against each other when in a similar classification.
Men's Soccer
Northern Iowa has not competed at the NCAA Division I level in men's soccer. Drake has fielded an NCAA Division I men's soccer team since 1986. The Bulldogs advanced to the 2009 NCAA Division I Elite Eight and have won two Missouri Valley Conference tournament championships. Prior to 1986 the two teams competed against each other under the college club status.
Women's Soccer
Northern Iowa and Drake's first official NCAA Division I women's soccer game was in 2002. Northern Iowa sanctioned women's soccer in 2000 and Drake sanction women's soccer in 2002. Prior to 2000 they competed against each other under the college club status. The Panthers have never advanced to the NCAA Division I tournament, while the Bulldogs have not advanced past the NCAA Division I tournament first round. Northern Iowa has not won a Missouri Valley Conference title. Drake has won six Missouri Valley Conference regular season championships and one Missouri Valley Conference tournament championship. The 2020 match was postponed to April 7, 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The teams have split the two Missouri Valley Conference tournament matches played. Northern Iowa won in 2017 and Drake won in 2021.
Northern Iowa victories | Drake victories | Ties |
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Softball
Northern Iowa and Drake's first official softball game was in 1976. They had met informally prior to the formation of their intercollegiate softball teams. Northern Iowa won the 1977 and 1982 AIAW College World Series (pre-NCAA Division I era). Both Northern Iowa and Drake have advanced in the NCAA Division I regional rounds. The Panthers and Bulldogs combine for six Missouri Valley Conference regular season championships (Northern Iowa 3, Drake 3) and six Missouri Valley Conference tournament championships (Northern Iowa 2, Drake 4).
The teams have split their four meetings in the Missouri Valley Conference tournament. The Panthers and Bulldogs met on six occasions in the AIAW regional rounds (pre-NCAA Division I) with Drake holding a 4 win to 2 win advantage.
Northern Iowa victories | Drake victories | Ties |
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°2020 games were canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic
Swimming & Diving
The Northern Iowa women are currently the only team classified as an NCAA Division I swimming & diving program. The Northern Iowa men along with Drake men and women are currently classified as college club status.
The Panther and Bulldog men and women teams have transitioned in-between classification for swimming & diving. The Drake men's swimming team won the 1929 Missouri Valley Conference team championship. The Panther men and women, along with the Bulldog men, have never won the Missouri Valley Conference team championship.
Men's Tennis
The Missouri Valley Conference first held a regular season team round robin format along with an end of the season conference team tournament during the 1996–97 season. From 1911 to 1912 season to the 1996–97 season the conference had only held a year end tournament to determine their team champion. Northern Iowa and Drake competed on six occasions in the team format prior to the Panthers re-classification as college club status in 2003. The Panthers and Bulldogs also competed in individual competitions at the NCAA Division I level each season.
Northern Iowa have not won a Missouri Valley Conference team championship or advanced to the NCAA Division I team tournament. Drake has won nine Missouri Valley Conference regular season championships and ten Missouri Valley Conference tournament championships. The Bulldogs also won two Summit League championships. Drake advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division I team championships in 2013 and 2015.
Northern Iowa victories | Drake victories | Ties |
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Women's Tennis
A regular season team round robin format along with an end of the season conference team tournament was first held by the Missouri Valley Conference during the 1996–97 season. The conference had previously only held a year end tournament to determine their team champion. The Panthers and Bulldogs have competed against each other every year in a team format since that season. Northern Iowa has not won a Missouri Valley Conference team championship or advanced to the NCAA Division I team tournament. Drake has won two regular season team Missouri Valley Conference championships and nine Missouri Valley Conference team tournament championships. The Bulldogs have yet to advance past the first round of the NCAA Division I team championships.
In addition, the Panthers and Bulldogs have competed in individual competitions at the NCAA Division I level each season since the founding of their programs.
Northern Iowa victories | Drake victories | Ties |
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°The 2020 match in Des Moines was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Track & Field
Northern Iowa and Drake compete at the NCAA Division I level in men's and women's indoor and outdoor track & field. The Panther and Bulldog men's and women's teams have traditionally competed in NCAA Division I regionals and at the NCAA Division I championships in both indoor and outdoor competitions. The men have won twenty-two Missouri Valley Conference indoor team championships (Northern Iowa 14, Drake 8) and twenty Missouri Valley Conference outdoor team championships (Northern Iowa 10, Drake 10). The Northern Iowa women have won two Missouri Valley Conference indoor team championships and one Missouri Valley Conference outdoor team championship; while the Drake women have not yet won a team championship in Missouri Valley Conference indoor or outdoor competition.
The Panthers usually attend the Jim Duncan Invitational and the Drake Relays held at Drake Stadium. The Bulldogs normally attend the Jack Jennett Open at the UNI Dome. They also compete against each other in Big Four Duels and other meets throughout the season.
Women's Volleyball
Northern Iowa and Drake first met in women's volleyball in 1975. The Panthers have appeared in twenty-three NCAA Division I tournaments, advancing the NCAA Division I Sweet Sixteen three times (1999, 2001, and 2002). Northern Iowa has won seventeen Missouri Valley Conference regular season championships and seventeen Missouri Valley Conference tournament championships. The Bulldogs have yet to win a Missouri Valley Conference title or advance to an NCAA Division I tournament. The Panthers and Bulldogs both appeared in the AIWA Tournament regional rounds from 1975 to 1980 (the predecessor to the NCAA Division I tournament).
The teams have played six times in the Missouri Valley Conference tournament with Northern Iowa winning five of the meetings.
The 2020 match-ups were postponed to January 2021 due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Northern Iowa victories | Drake victories | Ties |
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Wrestling
Northern Iowa is a traditional contender in college wrestling winning the 1950 NCAA Division I national title. The Panthers also finished as runners-up in the 1946, 1947, 1949 and 1952 NCAA Division I tournaments. Drake competed in NCAA Division I wrestling until 1994 when their team was re-classified as college club status. The schools have competed in twelve varsity duels on the wrestling mat with the Panthers claiming all twelve team victories.
Northern Iowa victories | Drake victories | Ties |
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Club Sport(s)
Northern Iowa and Drake have competed in multiple other men's and women's sports classified as college club status since their founding including archery, badminton, beach volleyball, bowling, climbing, cricket, croquet, curling, cycling, disc golf, dodgeball, fencing, field hockey, gymnastics, handball, ice hockey, lacrosse, martial arts, rugby, racquetball, sailing, shooting/pistol, spikeball, table tennis, ultimate frisbee, volleyball (men only), water polo, and weightlifting.
See also
References
- "UNI Athletics – Official Athletics Website". Archived from the original on November 11, 2021. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
- "Drake University Athletics – Official Athletics Website". Archived from the original on November 11, 2021. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
- "University of Northern Iowa". uni.edu.
- "Top Private University | Drake University". www.drake.edu.
- "Northern Iowa Panthers 1988 Baseball".
- "1999 100 Years of Panther Baseball".
- "Northern Iowa Baseball 2000".
- "MVC Baseball Records" (PDF).
- "Men's Basketball History vs University of Northern Iowa".
- "Drake Men's Basketball Guide". November 12, 2014.
- "2021–22 MVC MBB Media Guide".
- "The David vs. Goliath story of the 1969 Drake Bulldogs and their run to NCAA's Final Four". The Des Moines Register.
- "Northern Iowa Panthers 2021–2022 Men's Basketball Media Guide".
- "Men's Basketball".
- "Men's Basketball".
- "Women's Basketball History vs University of Northern Iowa".
- "Drake Women's Basketball Media Guides".
- "2017–2018 Women's Basketball Media Guide".
- "2020–2021 Women's Basketball Media Guide" (PDF).
- "2021–2022 UNI Women's Basketball".
- "2018–19 Drake Women's Basketball Media Guide".
- "Women's Basketball". Drake University Athletics.
- "Women's Basketball". UNI Athletics.
- "2020–21 XC Records (PDF) – Missouri Valley Conference" (PDF). mvc-sports.com.
- "Cross Country".
- "Cross Country".
- "2018 Football Fact Book".
- "UNI Football Media Guide 2019" (PDF).
- "Football".
- "Football". UNI Athletics.
- "2021 Media Guide" (PDF).
- Kelley, Kevin (June 12, 2023). "Northern Iowa adds Drake to 2026 football schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
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- Northern Iowa Panthers men's basketball
- Drake Bulldogs men's basketball
- Northern Iowa Panthers football
- Drake Bulldogs football
- Northern Iowa Panthers
- Drake Bulldogs
- College basketball rivalries in the United States
- College football rivalries in the United States
- College sports rivalries in the United States