October 18, 1890 – The Iowa Hawkeyes play their very first “home” football game on an empty field directly west of Old Capitol. Iowa’s first true football rival – Iowa College (Grinnell) wins the game 11-6.

After losing to Iowa College (24-0) in Grinnell the year before (November 16, 1889 – the first collegiate football game played west of the Mississippi River), the rematch was originally scheduled for Iowa City on Thanksgiving Day 1889. A snowstorm canceled that event, so on October 18th, the Hawkeye football squad, once again, took on Iowa College – this time in Iowa City. A good crowd gathered that day, only to see the Hawks lose for a second time to the Pioneers, 14-6.

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