One thing is for certain — Mike Grimes doesn’t like to tie.

A few minutes after the NIU wrestling team settled for a 16-16 tie with Kent State last Friday, NIU’s 149-pound junior was already talking about upcoming opponent Northern Iowa.

Grimes didn’t mince words about his competition, who ironically shared sixth place with the Huskies at the Midlands Championships.

“After the dual meet last year, we realized we should beat this team,” Grimes said. “After the amount of time we put in this summer and seeing them at Midlands, we know for a fact we can beat that team. We’re just going to go out there and take it to them as much as possible.”

The No. 24 Huskies (6-4-1 overall) will host the No. 25 Panthers (3-7-1) at 2:05 p.m. Sunday at the Convocation Center.

With memories of last year’s defeat still in his mind, the bold words from Grimes are precursors to a revenge match.

Last February in Cedar Falls, the Panthers jumped out to a dominating 17-3 lead midway through the meet. But a technical fall, a one-point decision and a pin from the Huskies tied the score.

Northern Iowa then regrouped to take the final two matches to close out the 23-17 victory.

Despite their losing the record, the Panthers are still a ranked team thanks to their strength of schedule. All seven losses came to top 12-ranked opponents, including Oklahoma State, Minnesota, Iowa, Central Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa State and Cornell. With five national qualifiers returning this season, the Panthers will look very similar to last year.

The Huskies are no stranger to elite competition, either. This is NIU’s sixth match against a ranked opponent this season.

NIU coach Dave Grant said the harder schedule was made by design to improve his wrestlers and get the program national recognition.

“I think we have five guys ranked in the top 20,” Grant said. “Without a great schedule, you can’t get your guys noticed like that. It’s a harder schedule, but greater rewards as well.”