The University of Minnesota Duluth football team has been ranked No. 34 in the NCAA Division II ranks according to the Don Hansen Football Gazette's Preseason Top 40 Poll, the publication announced today.

UMD returns 10 starters, with four coming on the offensive side of the ball and six on defense from a team that posted an overall record of 8-3 while going 6-2 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play. In all close to 60 players from the 2003 roster including Preseason All-Americans; Russ Rabe, Dave Rufledt and Adam Fechhelm are primed and ready  begin their first season as member of the North Central Conference in 2004.

With the release of the poll, UMD schedule gains strength. Four of the Bulldogs' 11 opponents are ranked among The Football Gazette's Top 40. UMD will be tested right out of the gates as its season-opening opponent, Chadron State College, sits in the 21st spot joining a trio of NCC foes in the poll. University of North Dakota tops all league teams beginning the season ranked No. 2. The University of Nebraska at Omaha settles into the 20th spot while St. Cloud State University rounds out the list of ranked teams from the NCC in the 36th spot.

Defending 2003 NCAA Division II champion Saginaw Valley State (Mich.) holds down the top spot on the list.

UMD kicks off its 72nd season of football competition Aug. 28th at Griggs Field versus Chadron State. Kickoff is slated for 12:00 p.m.