Schedule Surveillance: Iowa men's wrestling edition (2025-26)

Exactly four weeks before the start of its 2025-26 season, we finally have a complete Iowa men’s wrestling schedule.

That’s right, ladies and gentlemen – our long national nightmare is over.

(Or at least half of it is, as we’re still waiting on the Hawkeye women to follow suit.)

But enough of the semantics! As of Thursday, October 9, we’ve got opponents, we’ve got dates, and we’ve even got several confirmed times at which you can watch the Hawkeyes as they embark upon season 20 under head coach Tom Brands.

In the paragraphs ahead, we’ll lay out the entire 2025-26 slate – along with a thought or two on each event/opponent.

By the end, you’ll know all that there is to know regarding the who/what/when/where’s – and hopefully have some fun along the way.

So, let’s get to it!

**All listed times are Central Standard**

November 6 (Thurs) – vs. Bellarmine

• Location: Iowa City, IA (Carver-Hawkeye Arena)
• Time: 6:00 p.m.
• TV/streaming: TBD

356 days after traveling to Louisville, Kentucky to take on Bellarmine in the first-ever matchup between the two programs, Iowa will welcome the Knights to Carver-Hawkeye Arena as part of a return trip to open the 2025-26 campaign.

Last year’s matchup went decidedly in favor of the Hawkeyes in a 49-0 blowout. And one would expect a similar type of outcome when it comes to the sequel – a rare 6:00 p.m. Thursday night dual at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

*Bellarmine is coached by former Hawkeye wrestler Ned Shuck*

November 15-16 (Sat/Sun) – @ National Duals Invitational

• Location: Tulsa, OK (BOK Center)
• Time: 9:00 a.m. (Round of 16), TBD after
• TV/streaming: FloWrestling (championship final on ESPNU)

We previewed this exciting, revamped event a few days ago when brackets/seeds were announced.

In pursuit of a $200 thousand first-place prize, the top-seeded Hawkeyes will open the 2025 National Duals Invitational against Missouri.

The Tigers – tabbed 18^th in InterMat’s preseason dual rankings – are looking to bounce back from an uncharacteristically poor performance at NCAAs last March.

Win the opener, and the Hawkeyes would still need to rattle off three more W’s – all against noteworthy opponents – to leave Tulsa with a championship in hand.

This event is going to be awesome, you guys.

November 21 (Fri) – vs. Pittsburgh

• Location: Iowa City, IA (Carver-Hawkeye Arena)
• Time: TBD
• TV/streaming: TBD

Less than a week post National Duals, Iowa will welcome Pittsburgh for its second home dual of the season.

The #21 Panthers return a pair of ACC champions to highlight a tough backend of their lineup.

#5 Mac Stout (197) and #7 Dayton Pitzer (285) will both present stern tests for presumptive Iowa starters Massoma Endene and Ben Kueter.

Stout (seventh) was an All-American last March. Meanwhile, Kueter and Pitzer have recent history – with the Hawkeye prevailing via 5-1 decision in the bloodround at NCAAs to deny the Panther a spot on the podium.

November 30 (Sun) – @ Iowa State

• Location: Ames, IA (Hilton Colosseum)
• Time: 12:00 p.m.
• TV/streaming: TBD

Ah yes, the Cy-Hawk dual.

Will this finally be the year the year Iowa State comes out on top, or will Iowa run its winning streak to an astonishing 21-consecutive victories in this rivalry series?

For what it’s worth, InterMat has the Cyclones (#3) ranked ahead of the Hawkeyes (#4) in its preseason dual rankings.

(Here’s betting the folks in the Iowa room don’t really give a damn.)

These matchups has routinely gone in wild directions of late – with last year’s dual being no exception.

And yet, the Hawkeyes keep on coming out on top.

We’ll see if the post-Thanksgiving, 2025 edition has similar drama to offer in Ames.

December 12 (Fri) – @ Journeymen “Uncivil War”

• Location: Hannibal, MO (Hannibal HS)
• Time(s): 6:30 p.m. (UT-Chattanooga) and 8:30 p.m. (Utah Valley)
• TV/streaming: TBD

Iowa concludes the 2025 portion of its schedule with a second trip down to a Missouri high school in as many years.

The occasion? The Journeymen “Uncivil War” event – featuring a pair of duals just before Christmas break.

Last season plenty of Hawkeyes saw action in successive victories over Princeton (39-3) and Army (23-16).

This year, it’ll be UT-Chattanooga and Utah Valley on the docket.

Adam Hall is steadily building a scrappy, competitive program out in Orem (UT) – and his squad won’t concede an inch to the heavily favored Hawkeyes in the nightcap (scheduled for 8:30 p.m.).

January 3-4 (Sat/Sun) – @ Soldier Salute

• Location: Coralville, IA (Xtream Arena)
• Time(s): All day
• TV/streaming: TBD

Year by year, Iowa’s homegrown holiday tournament has increasingly built momentum/prestige since its inaugural edition in 2022.

The expectation is that will continue into Year 4, with programs like Minnesota, Navy, VMI and Wyoming all confirmed to be joining the Hawkeyes at Xtream Arena in Coralville – and others like Missouri, North Carolina and South Dakota State having the tournament listed on their schedule(s).

That preliminary list could also grow between now and January 3-4 – where Soldier Salute now resides.

January 9 (Fri) – vs. Wisconsin

• Location: Iowa City, IA (Carver-Hawkeye Arena)
• Time: TBD
• TV/streaming: TBD

This was an absolute bloodbath in Madison a year ago, with Iowa ‘skunking’ the Badgers, 45-0.

That said, Wisconsin does have a quality 1-2 punch to lead off its lineup in #9 Nicolar Rivera (125) and #4 Zan Fugitt (133).

Fugitt – whose name will always bring a sense of dread for any public announcer – made a surprising run to the NCAA semis last March, losing a 6-1 bout to Drake Ayala.

Another clash between the two would make for an easy headliner in Iowa’s Big Ten opener.

January 16^th (Fri) – vs. Penn State

• Location: Iowa City, IA (Carver-Hawkeye Arena)
• Time: TBD
• TV/streaming: TBD

The biggest dual in college wrestling comes to Iowa City this year – and with it the gold standard program to which all others are held.

That’s the reality Penn State has created, and it’s up to the Hawkeyes to change it with their actions on the mat.

No one ever said it would be easy – which Iowa experienced firsthand in State College last January.

But it they’re going to make it happen – regardless of the odds – there are worse places to start than by hosting the latest showdown at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

January 23 (Fri) – @ Nebraska

• Location: Lincoln, NE (Bob Devaney Sports Center)
• Time: TBD
• TV/streaming: TBD

Iowa’s Big Ten slate hardly lets up post-PSU, as the Hawkeyes travel to Lincoln to battle the (surprising) 2025 NCAA runners up.

There, an experienced, loaded Cornhusker lineup will await them – one that this offseason also added a name equal parts familiar/controversial to Iowa fans.

A year ago, this matchup produced one of the moments of the season for Iowa thanks to one Stephen Buchanan.

It very well could take similar heroics from someone else to emerge victorious this time around.

January 30 (Fri) – vs. Minnesota

• Location: Iowa City, IA (Carver-Hawkeye Arena)
• Time: TBD
• TV/streaming: TBD

Ranked 11^th in InterMat’s preseason dual rankings, Minnesota returns a strong team with several intriguing new pieces in 2025-26.

But let’s cut to the chase here:

The biggest item folks want to talk about is Max McEnelly vs. Angelo Ferrari.

Between the two, their only collegiate losses (three total) are against Carter Starocci and Parker Keckeisen.

Last season, McEnelly (a recent U20 World champion) lost to both in sudden victory – his only blemishes in a stellar redshirt freshman campaign. Meanwhile, Ferrari didn’t concede a takedown despite falling to Starocci (3-1) on the road at Penn State.

These are the two biggest, brightest names in a fascinating new era at 184 pounds. And they could clash again and again for three whole years if we’re so fortunate.

This may not be their first meeting either, with both National Duals and the Soldier Salute being distinct possibilities.

But whenever they do finally toe the line, I will be locked in with every fiber of my being – and I’m sure the rest of the wrestling world will be too.

February 6 (Fri) – @ Ohio State

• Location: Columbus, OH (Covelli Center)
• Time: TBD
• TV/streaming: TBD

Iowa’s Big Ten gauntlet continues with another road test – this one in Columbus.

Ranked-versus-ranked rematches and first-time meetings will be strewn across the board when the Hawkeyes and Buckeyes square off.

Among them, two-time reigning NCAA champion Jesse Mendez could take on talented first-year Iowa transfer Nasir Bailey – who’s set to make his debut at 141 pounds this season.

Keep in mind that last year’s 24-13 win in Iowa City was far more tenuous than a brief glance at the box score would suggest.

February 8 (Sun) – @ Michigan State

• Location: East Lansing, MI (Jenison Field House)
• Time: TBD
• TV/streaming: TBD

I’m not going to sell anyone a bill of goods here.

This has blowout written all over it (in pen) so long as a living, breathing Iowa squad makes the trip to East Lansing.

That may not do much for the overall entertainment value, but it’s probably a nice reprieve for the Hawkeyes amidst a brutal Big Ten stretch – and less than 48 hours after its dual at Ohio State.

Michigan State didn’t win a single conference dual last season. They may (likely) not win a single bout in this dual depending on who Iowa runs out there.

February 13 (Fri) – vs. Michigan

• Location: Iowa City, IA (Carver-Hawkeye Arena)
• Time: TBD
• TV/streaming: TBD

A dip for Michigan in 2024-25 was followed by an offseason of additions both internal and external.

Three past All-Americans join the Wolverine lineup this year – including transfers Lachlan McNeil (#3 at 149) and Taye Ghadiali (#4 at 285). Big Blue also has several talented underclassmen on its roster to fill out a competitive dual lineup.

This will mark an early Senior Day for Hawkeye stalwarts like Drake Ayala, Michael Caliendo and Patrick Kennedy (among others).

Fans packed into Carver-Hawkeye Arena will be hoping to send them out on a high note.

February 15 (Sun) – @ Purdue

• Location: West Lafayette, IN (Holloway Gymnasium)
• Time: TBD
• TV/streaming: TBD

Iowa/Purdue may not showcase many compelling matchups, but boy does it have one doozy at 165 pounds.

How about a pair of returning NCAA runner ups matching wits to close out their Big Ten schedule(s)?

That’s what we figure to get with #2 Michael Caliendo and #3 Joey Blaze – the latter of whom surprised many with his run to the finals at 157 last March.

Now, Blaze bumps up a weight class, where he’ll look to challenge the Hawkeye who swatted away every foe not named Mitchell Mesenbrink last season.

February 22 (Sun) – @ Oklahoma State

• Location: Stillwater, OK (Gallagher-Iba Arena)
• Time: 5:00 p.m.
• TV/streaming: TBD

Once again, I’ll spare folks the platitudes of hyping up this dual.

(It doesn’t need them – you all already know the deal.)

The fact is, Iowa/Oklahoma State could certainly produce another all-time classic – as it did a year ago. But perhaps most interesting is that February’s dual in Stillwater could be their second meeting of the 2025-26 season.

If the Hawkeyes/Cowboys perform as expected three months earlier, they’ll first clash in the semifinals of the National Duals Invitational – also in Oklahoma, but at a neutral site in Tulsa.

Things will be decidedly far less ‘neutral’ when Iowa strolls into Gallagher-Iba Arena.

What do the Cowboys look like in Year Two under David Taylor?

They’ve lost arguably their three best wrestlers from last season – including a pair of national champions. But more high-powered transfers have since arrived, as has a continued influx of elite freshmen prospects whose impact could be felt sooner rather than later.

All of it makes for an incredible dual between these two programs this season – no matter how many times they meet.

March 7-8 (Sat/Sun) – @ Big Ten Championships

• State College, PA (Bryce Jordan Center)
• Time(s): All day
• TV/streaming: TBD

Just five years after it last hosted the Big Ten Championships Penn State has jumped the line and will host again in 2026 – as if the Nittany Lions needed another advantage.

(I jest, of course. Those 2021 championships were fan-less due to COVID, so PSU took a deserved mulligan and gets another shot this season.)

As for Iowa, it’ll be looking to do far better than 2025’s listless, third-place/zero individual champion performance at Northwestern.

March 19-21 (Thurs/Fri/Sat) – @ NCAA Championships

• Cleveland, OH (Rocket Arena)
• Time(s): All day
• TV/streaming: TBD

Iowa significantly bettered its Big Ten showing at NCAAs a year ago – crowning its first individual champ in four years, putting three in the finals and five on the podium.

But it was still far from up to expectations and left the Hawkeyes in somewhat of “No man’s land” – 29.5 points clear of fifth-place Minnesota and 21.5 points behind third-place Oklahoma State.

(Oh yeah, not to mention 96 points back of the Penn State juggernaut.)

First, we’ll see if they can climb the team trophy ladder in 2026 as NCAAs head to Cleveland. Do that, and then you can turn your attention toward slaying the Nittany Lions.