You’d think a team that spent years grinding through one of the toughest Division II conferences in the country would just want a breather. But that isn't really the vibe in Fayette. Honestly, if you’ve been tracking the upper iowa university football schedule, you know things changed the moment they jumped into the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC). It wasn't just a change of scenery; it was a total identity shift. People used to overlook the Peacocks. Now? They’re the team everyone has circled on their calendar, and the 2025 season just proved that wasn’t a fluke.
The Peacocks just wrapped up a year that literally rewrote their history books. Nine wins. Their first-ever bowl victory. A three-year contract extension for Head Coach Jason Hoskins. If you're looking for the 2026 outlook or just trying to make sense of how they dominated the 2025 slate, you have to look at the grind they just endured.
Breaking Down the 2025 Upper Iowa University Football Schedule
It started rough. Like, really rough. On August 28, the Peacocks headed to Des Moines to face Drake University. Drake is a non-scholarship FCS program, but they play like they’ve got something to prove. UIU lost that one 7-41. It was the kind of game that makes fans wonder if the preseason hype was just hot air. But that’s the thing about this team—they don't stay down.
By the time they hit their home opener at Harms-Eischeid Stadium on September 13 against South Dakota Mines, the energy had shifted. They didn't just win; they dismantled the Hardrockers 58-14.
The Mid-Season Momentum Shift
September and October are where seasons go to die for a lot of DII programs. For Upper Iowa, it was where they found their rhythm. They went on a tear.
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- Sept 20: A gritty 21-14 road win at No. 24 Michigan Tech. This was a statement.
- Sept 27: Homecoming. They hosted Lincoln University of Missouri and sent the alumni home happy with a 31-10 victory.
- Oct 4: Another road test at Missouri S&T, resulting in a 36-26 win.
It wasn't all sunshine, though. Truman State has a way of being a thorn in UIU’s side, and they handed the Peacocks a 21-48 loss on October 11. Most teams would have spiraled. Instead, Hoskins’ squad went back to Fayette and beat Southwest Baptist 39-2. Two points. They held a college offense to a safety. That’s defensive coordinator Rhett Mizer's dream right there.
Why the GLVC Transition Changed Everything
For years, UIU was in the NSIC. It’s a great conference, but the travel was brutal and the matchups were often lopsided. Moving to the GLVC leveled the playing field in a way that let the Peacocks' talent actually shine. When you look at the upper iowa university football schedule now, you see regional rivalries that actually make sense.
Take the game against William Jewell on October 25. UIU traveled to Liberty, Missouri, and ground out a 28-10 win. Then they came home and absolutely smoked McKendree 57-7 on November 1. You don't put up 57 points by accident. You do it because senior quarterback Darryl Overstreet Jr. is finally in a system that lets him cook. Overstreet is basically the heartbeat of that offense. Last I checked, he was putting up numbers that make him one of the most dangerous dual-threat guys in the region.
The Final Push and the Albanese Candy Bowl
The regular season ended with a heartbreaker against the University of Indianapolis—a 21-28 loss on November 15 that cost them a share of the GLVC title. But because of their 8-3 record (6-2 in the conference), they landed a spot in the Albanese Candy Bowl on December 6.
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They played Hillsdale College in Hobart, Indiana. It was cold. It was messy. And it was glorious. Upper Iowa won 37-28, securing the first bowl win in the 132-year history of the program. If you aren't paying attention to the Peacocks yet, that's on you.
What to Expect for 2026
We don't have every single kickoff time for the 2026 upper iowa university football schedule yet, but we know the core. They'll be returning a massive chunk of their defensive production. Trevor Thompson and Michael Mulherin are absolute hammers at linebacker. They combined for over 130 tackles in 2024, and they only got more disciplined in 2025.
The home games at Harms-Eischeid Stadium are becoming a real "thing" in Fayette. If you’ve never been, it’s a tight, loud atmosphere. The stadium suites are usually packed, and the student section has actually started showing up in force.
Key Factors for the Upcoming Season
- Quarterback Stability: With Overstreet Jr. leading the way, the offense has a veteran presence that can't be coached.
- Special Teams Reliability: Nathan Behne handled both kicking and punting duties, and honestly, having a guy who can flip the field and knock down 40-yarders consistently is a luxury at this level.
- The "Hoskins" Effect: The three-year extension for Jason Hoskins means recruiting stability. High school kids in Iowa and Illinois are noticing that UIU isn't a basement dweller anymore.
Getting Tickets and Following Along
If you’re trying to plan a trip to Fayette for a game, keep an eye on the official UIU Peacocks website. They usually drop the full season times by mid-summer. Most games are on Saturdays at 1:00 PM or 2:30 PM CT.
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You can usually catch the away games on the GLVC Sports Network. It’s a solid streaming platform, way better than some of the grainy feeds you see in other conferences.
The upper iowa university football schedule is more than just a list of dates. It's the roadmap of a program that finally figured out how to win. They’ve gone from being the "easy win" on everyone else's schedule to being the team that ruins your season.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Bookmark the official UIU Athletics calendar to catch the 2026 spring game date, which usually happens in April.
- Follow the GLVC Sports Network on social media; they provide the most reliable live updates during game days if you can't make the drive to Missouri or Illinois for road games.
- Check the Peacock Sideline Store early in the summer for new gear; the 2025 "Bowl Champions" merch sold out almost instantly, and 2026 designs usually drop before the August camp starts.