With a top-25 showdown to open the season, Iowa and Indiana will both have to hit the ground running in 2021 and Hawkeyes quarterback Spencer Petras is looking forward to the challenge.

“You can’t ask for a better opportunity for this team – to open with a ranked opponent at home and have our chance to show what we can do,” said Petras in a tweet from Iowa’s twitter account on Tuesday.

The early season matchup with B1G foe No. 17 Indiana coming into Iowa City pits a pair of teams who haven’t met since 2018, and the two teams are definitely different than they were then.

IU had a tremendous 2020 season, and while they finished 6-2 — just as the Hawkeyes did, they finished ranked 11th nationally — four spots above Iowa. The Hoosiers will be looking to build on the success of last season, returning a host of key members of their squad.

Iowa has won three straight in the series with the Hoosiers, and seven of the last eight overall. But over the past five years they have met just once, with Iowa taking the win. Indiana hasn’t won in Iowa City since besting the 2007 Hawkeyes with a 38-20 victory.

Kickoff is set for 2:30 PM on Saturday, Sept. 4 in Iowa City.