No. 4 Iowa wrestling opens its 2026-27 season on Friday night at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, hosting Bellarmine in a dual that starts at 7 p.m. CT and streams live on B1G+.
Iowa Holds Perfect Season-Opener Record Ahead of Bellarmine Dual
- Season Opener Momentum: Iowa enters the night holding a 20-0 record in season-opening dual meets under head coach Tom Brands, having outscored opponents 818-71 in those contests.
- New Faces in the Lineup: Leo DeLuca at 125 pounds and transfer Carter Schubert at 165 pounds are slated to make their Carver-Hawkeye Arena debuts.
- Historical Dominance: The Hawkeyes have shut out Bellarmine in both prior meetings, winning 49-0 in Louisville in 2024 and 40-0 in Iowa City last season.
Leo DeLuca and Carter Schubert Debut for Hawkeyes
Friday marks the third all-time meeting between the two programs. The historical series leans entirely toward the Hawkeyes, who secured a 49-0 victory in their inaugural meeting in Louisville before blanking the Knights 40-0 at home last season.
The lineup features new pieces for Brands’ squad. Leo DeLuca steps onto the mat at 125 pounds for his first appearance in front of the home crowd. Meanwhile, Carter Schubert makes his Iowa debut after transferring during the offseason. The Marion, New York product brings a 28-12 career record from his time at Oklahoma and California Baptist, alongside a 9-2 mark in home duals.
Watch the Season Opener on B1G+
Fans looking to stream the season opener can tune in via B1G+ at the 7 p.m. CT start time. Friday’s dual kicks off a busy winter slate for the Hawkeyes before they turn their attention to subsequent matchups on the 2026-27 schedule.
| Date | Opponent | Time (CT) | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov. 13, 2026 | vs. Bellarmine | 7 p.m. | B1G+ |
| Nov. 22, 2026 | vs. Iowa State | 1 p.m. | B1G+ |
| Dec. 4, 2026 | at Pittsburgh | TBD | ACC Network Extra |
| Dec. 11, 2026 | at Northern Iowa | 7 p.m. | FloWrestling |
Following the opening night clash against Bellarmine, Iowa prepares for an instate showdown against Iowa State on November 22.
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