May 20, 2010

Head Coach Tom Shea and the Peacock Football team announced their 2010 schedule this afternoon. The Peacocks will play 11 consecutive Saturday contests highlighted by five home Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference matchups at Eischeid Stadium in Fayette.

Upper Iowa travels to Commerce, Texas to open the 2010 season against the Lions of Texas A&M-Commerce on Sept. 4. The Lions finished 2009 with a 5-5 record which included a 5-0 mark in the Lone Star Conference's North Division and a pair of losses to highly ranked opponents (#2-ranked Abilene Christian in overtime and #9-ranked Texas A&M-Kingsville) by a combined seven points.

The Peacocks host their NSIC and home opener the following weekend, Sept. 11, as Minnesota-Duluth visits Eischeid Stadium in Fayette for a 1 p.m. matchup. The Bulldogs finished 2009 by repeating as NSIC Champions after compiling a 10-0 mark in conference play and made a run to the elite eight in the NCAA Division II Playoffs before bowing out to Grand Valley State. The Bulldogs defeated the Peacocks , 18-7, in Fayette the last time the teams met in 2005.

UIU then visits Moorhead, Minn. for a Sept. 18 matchup with MSU Moorhead before returning home to take on Winona State on Sept. 25 at 1 p.m. MSUM finished 2009 with a 2-9 record overall which included a 1-9 mark in the league, while WSU completed last season with a 7-4 record overall and a 6-4 NSIC record. In 2007, the Dragons edged the Peacocks 31-28 in Moorhead, while the Warriors defeated the Peacocks last season in Fayette.

The Peacocks visit Bemidji, Minn. on Oct. 2 to battle the Bemidji State Beavers before the returning home on Oct. 9 to celebrate Homecoming against the Golden Eagles of Minnesota, Crookston. UIU and UMC have engaged in a pair of wild contests in the past two seasons with the Peacocks prevailing in both games including last year's 39-33 win to end the season. Kickoff for the Homecoming contest is slated for 1 p.m.

Following an Oct. 16 battle with the 2009 NSIC North Division Champion Mavericks of Minnesota State in Mankato, Minn., the Peacocks host back-to-back contests to close out the home portion of the 2010 campaign. The Peacocks welcome Southwest Minnesota State on Oct. 23 and Wayne State on Oct. 30; both games are scheduled for 1 p.m. The Mustangs are coming off of a 5-6 season, while the Wildcats enter 2010 following an 8-3 showing last season. Both opponents picked up victories over UIU last year.

Upper Iowa closes out the 2010 season with a pair of games on the road. The Peacocks will visit the Golden Bears of Concordia in St. Paul, Minn. on Nov. 6 before closing the season in Sioux Falls, S.D. against the Vikings of Augustana College on Nov. 13. UIU lost to both squads during the 2009 season.

Upper Iowa finished the 2009 campaign with a 3-8 record overall including a 2-8 record in NSIC play. The Peacocks return a slew of starters on both sides of the ball and have added talent to their roster through recruiting. The offense will be led by quarterback Ben Curran and wide receiver/return specialist Jessie Hubbard; both of whom are returning All-NSIC Honorable Mention performers from a year ago. The defense will be led by returning All-NSIC and All-Super Region 3 1st Team performer Nate Curran.