The University of Minnesota Duluth will close out the home portion of its 2013 regular season schedule this Saturday (Nov. 2) when the Bulldog host their Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference North Division neighbors to the north, the University of Minnesota Crookston. Opening kickoff for the Bulldogs' annual Senior Day game is set 1:05 p.m. at James S. Malosky Stadium (4,500 capacity/artificial turf) on the UMD campus.

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THE RECORDS: UMD is 7-1 both overall and in NSIC play (tied for second place with St. Cloud State University) while Minnesota Crookston, sports a 2-6 mark in all games and owns a share of 12th place (with Bemidji State University, Minnesota State University-Moorhead, Minot State University and Wayne State College) in the NSIC standings.

HOW THEY RANK: Here is how the Bulldogs and Beavers stacked up in this week's American Football Coaches Association Division II and the D2Football.com polls and the latest NCAA Division II Super Region Three Rankings.

         AFCA    D2Football    Region Three    
UMD    No. 6    No. 4    No. 3
UMC    NR    NR    NR
        
THE BROADCAST: The UMD-Golden Eagles clash will be carried live on 1490 The Fan (KQDS-AM) with Jeff Papas handling the play-by-play responsibilities and ex-University of North Dakota offensive lineman Gregg Swartwoudt providing  The broadcast can also be heard on KQ 105.5 FM in Grand Rapids/Hibbing , KQ 106.7 FM in Ely/Virginia as part of the Bulldog Sports Radio Network and at: www.fan1490.com.

In addition, My9 (KBJR DT 6.2/KRII DT 11.9) is televising all UMD home games during the 2013 season, including Saturday's bout with Minnesota Crookston. Northland Newscenter sports director Zach Schneider and former long-time UMD defensive coordinator Vince Repesh will serve as the on-air talent. The telecast, which is also available locally on Charter and Mediacom cable, will be videostreammed as well and can be accessed for free at: client.stretchinternet.com/client/umd.portal#

THE COACH: After spending the previous five years overseeing UMD offensive units which moved the football with as much proficiency as any NCAA II team in the country, Curt Wiese received a much-deserved promotion on Dec. 21, 2012 when he became the sixth head coach in the Bulldogs' storied 81-year history.

During his successful half-decade run as the team's offensive coordinator, the Bulldogs finished near the top of the NCAA II leader board four times in scoring (third last fall with a school-record 46.5 points per game average, fifth in 2008, sixth in 2010 and ninth four years ago) and in 2012 possessed the nation's seventh best rushing attack (after ranking seventh, fourth, and third, respectively, in that department the previous three seasons). The 2012 Bulldogs were also the nation's leader in third down conversions (54.8 percent). In addition, no less than 15 of his pupils landed some kind of All-American recognition, including a pair of Harlon Hill Award finalists -- quarterback Ted Schlafke (2008), the school's career passing and total offense leader, and running back Isaac Odim (2009), UMD's all-time top ground gainer and scorer and the holder of 17 school records. Wiese's starting offensive guard from 2009--12, Garth Heikkinen, became the school's first recipient of the Gene Upshaw Division II Lineman of the Year of Award and earned a playing spot in the annual East-West Shrine Game last January while offensive tackle Jake Bscherer participated in the Seattle Seahawks Training Camp this past summer.

Since Wiese's arrival at UMD in 2008, the Bulldogs have gone 69-8 (a record unmatched by any NCAA II school), captured two NCAA II national championships (2008 and 2010), four overall NSIC titles and five NSIC North Division crowns, made five NCAA II playoff appearances and produced two perfect 15-0 seasons.

Wiese, 37, came to UMD following two years of employment as the head coach at NCAA Division III member Marietta College (Ohio). He compiled a 9-11 career overall record with the Pioneers, including a 6-4 mark in 2006. The Stoughton, Wis., native signed on with the Marietta football program in 2003 when he became the team's offensive coordinator -- a duty he continued to maintain after he was elevated to head coach. In five years of directing the Marietta offense, Wiese helped churn out two All-Americans, 12 All-Ohio Athletic Conference selections and five Academic All-OAC honorees and was a finalist for the American Football Coaches Association Division III Assistant Coach of the Year Award in 2004.

Prior to his move to Marietta, Wiese worked as a graduate assistant at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, tutoring the tight ends for two years and the offensive line for one season. He entered the coaching arena a little over a dozen ago on the heels of a four-year collegiate playing career. After three seasons at Minnesota State University-Mankato (1995-97), Wiese transferred to the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, where as a senior in 1998, he quarterbacked the Pointers to a share of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title.

    WIESE BY THE NUMBERS
Record at UMD (Year)    7-1 (1st)
Overall Coaching Record (Year)    16-12 (3rd)
Career NSIC Record    7-1
Career UMD Home Record    3-1
vs. Minnesota Crookston     0-0

THE SERIES: Then Bulldogs and Golden Eagles have met on just 10 previous occasions, including once in each of the past five seasons. UMD holds an 9-1 lead in the all-time series, which began in Crookston on Sept. 28, 1999 -- the Golden Eagles' inaugural year as members of the NSIC. Minnesota Crookston posted its lone victory over the Bulldogs two seasons later (a 17-13 home decision), but has since fallen to UMD seven  straight times. One year ago (Oct. 27), UMD raced out to a 31-0 halftime lead and went on to trample the Minnesota Crookston 38-14 in the Bulldogs' final road assignment of the 2012 regular season.

LAST WEEK: UMD rallied from a 21-14 third-quarter deficit by reeling off 17 unanswered points en route to derailing host Bemidji State University 31-21 Saturday afternoon. Redshirt freshman quarterback Drew Bauer ran for one touchdown and threw for another while completing 20 of 31 passes -- including a game-high seven to junior wide out Aaron Roth. The victory was the Bulldogs' 12 straight over the Beavers, who amassed 268 yards on the ground  -- the most by a UMD opponent this season -- and 414 yards overall (compared with 440 for the Bulldogs).    

Minnesota Crookston was upended 20-19 by Minot State University Saturday afternoon in Crookston. The Golden Eagles, who took a 19-10 lead into the fourth quarter, generated just 164 yards of total offense in the setback  with 141 of those yards coming through the air via the left arm of freshman quarterback Kyle Larson (16-for-26 with one touchdown and two picks).

THIS IS YOUR CAPTAIN SPEAKING: The Bulldogs' team captaincy responsibilities this fall are being shared by a quartet of seniors -- strong safety Travis Nordhus, offensive tackle Tom Olson, inside linebacker Colby Ring and outside linebacker Nate Zuk -- along with junior wide receiver/return specialist Aaron Roth.

ANOTHER FAVORABLE NSIC FORECAST: For the first time since 2007 (when UMD was a member of the now defunct North Central Conference), the NSIC coaches chose someone other than the Bulldogs as the team to beat in 2013. In their annual preseason poll, the league coaches picked the defending NSIC kingpin Minnesota State-Mankato to finish first in both the South Division and in the overall standings while the Bulldogs were slotted to capture the North Division crown (for a sixth straight year) and place second to the Mavericks overall (like the did one year ago after a four-season run as league champs). UMD had been chosen as the overall NSIC preseason favorite during each of its previous six years of league membership (2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008 and 2003.

SENIOR SWAN SONG: This Saturday will mark the final regular season home appearances ever for 21 Bulldog seniors. That class, one of the largest in program history, includes tight end Pat Alexander, defensive end Jordan Bauman, cornerback Chris Blake, punter Alex Brown, strong safety Jason Carlson, cornerback Kenny Chowa, running back Steve Ierulli, running back Jeron Johnson, quarterback Brent Jorgensen, strong safety Travis Nordhus, offensive tackle Tom Olson, wide receiver Joe Reichert, tight end Jeremy Reierson, linebacker Colby Ring, center Grant Schnobrich, defensive end Wade Sebold, wide receiver Austin Selvick, running back Chaz Thomas, defensive end Chris Vandervest, defensive tackle Matt Wicklund and linebacker Nate Zuk. Since this group first arrived on campus back in 2009, they have enjoyed one of the most successful runs in the 81-year history of UMD football, being part of Bulldog teams that have gone 54-8, captured one NCAA II championship, four NSIC North Division titles and three overall league crowns and made four straight NCAA II playoff appearances. Of the 21 seniors, 17 were members of UMD's 2009 recruiting class (the exceptions are Carlson (who transferred this fall from Iowa State University), Ierulli  (who joined the Bulldogs in 2011 from the University of North Alabama), Johnson (who played one year at Cerritos College prior to his arrival at UMD), and Reierson (who spent his freshman year at the University of Wisconsin).

QUITE A RUN: Since the 2008 season opener, UMD owns both the highest victory total (69) and best winning percentage (.896 off a 69-8 record) of any NCAA II program.

    Wins (2008-present)
1.    UMD            69
2.    Northwest Missouri State    68
3.     Grand Valley State        58
4.    California U. (Pa.)        57
5.    Bloomsburg             56
6.    Minnesota State-Mankato    55
7.    West Texas A&M        53
8.    Missouri Western        51
9.    CSU-Pueblo            51
10.    Pittsburg State        49
                
    Winning Percentage (2008-present)
1.    UMD    (69-8)    .896
2.    Northwest Missouri State    (68-11)    .861
3.    Bloomsburg     (56-12)    .824
4.    Grand Valley State    (58-13)    .817
5.    Minnesota State-Mankato    (55-14)    .797
6.    CSU-Pueblo    (51-14)     .785
7.     California U. (Pa.)    (57-16)  .781
8.    Shepherd    (47-16)  .746
9.    West Texas A&M    (53-18)  .746
10.    Missouri Western    (51-19)  .729

NORTHERN EXPOSURE: Since the NSIC instituted divisional play in 2008, the Bulldogs are a sizzling 33-2 against NSIC North Division foes (19-0 at home) with both of those two losses being inflicted by St. Cloud State (51-49 in 2012 and 35-7 in 2011). UMD is the reigning five-time defending NSIC North Division champion.

HIT THE GROUND RUNNING: The Bulldogs currently rank eighth among all NCAA II schools in rushing offense with a 290.4 yards per game average and are the eighth-most effective unit against the run (just 82.3 ypg). The only time UMD has failed to crack the 200-yard rush mark this season was on Sept. 21 when Minnesota State-Mankato held the Bulldogs to 158 yards in a 21-17 victory.

IT'S GOT A NICE RING TO IT: Senior Colby Ring continues his climb up the Bulldogs' career defensive charts and now  occupies a share of the No. 7 spot on that list with 257 total tackles. He needs five more stops to supplant another standout inside linebacker, Marc Achterkirch (1991-94) at No. 6. Ring paces all 2013 Bulldogs in tackles (40) and is followed by senior defensive end Chris Vandervest, who is seeking to become the first lineman to finish as UMD's leading tackler since that statistic began officially being kept in 1982.  Vandervest, a third-year starter and two-time All-NSIC honoree, has been credited with 35 stops thus far,  including a team-best 8.5 for a loss.

BULLDOG BITS: The last time UMD and Minnesota Crookston squared off (Oct. 27, 2012) current senior running back Jeron Johnson came off the bench to run rush for a team-leading and career-high 95 yards on 11 carries. Inside linebacker Gavin Grady also recovered a fumble in the Golden Eagle end zone for his first  -- and only -- collegiate touchdown to date.

• The Bulldogs have recovered more fumbles (14, including five against Minot State in their last home outing) than any other NCAA II school in the nation.  UMD also ranks third nationally in time of possession (34:23 per game).

• Sophomore Justin Fowlkes is averaging 33.4 yards per kickoff return this season -- a figure bettered by only four NCAA II combatants at the moment -- and 29.7 yards for his career.  

•UMD has given up only 13 points in the fourth quarter this year (one touchdown each at Upper Iowa University and Minnesota State-Moorhead) and has outscored its competition 100-17 in the opening 15 minutes of play. Those 17 points have come on a pair of touchdowns by Wayne Sate four weeks into the season and a field goal by Minnesota State-Moorhead)

• Senior offensive tackle Tom Olson is expected to make his 50th consecutive start (which covers every game over the past four seasons) this Saturday. That's the third longest ironman streak in team history. The leader in that department is three-time All-American offensive guard and current Bulldog graduate assistant coach Garth Heikkinen (54 games between 2009-12), who is followed by record-breaking quarterback Chase Vogler (52 games between 2009-12), now a UMD volunteer assistant coach. In terms of special teams players, three-time All-NSIC placekicker David Nadeau made 56 consecutive starts between 2008-11.

• Aaron Roth needs just two more catches to become the 12th Bulldog to reach the 100-reception mark for his career. Fellow junior wide out Zach Zweifel accomplished that feat earlier this season and now has 106 catches.

• UMD has returned three interceptions for touchdowns this season -- senior inside linebacker Colby Ring at Wayne State College, and junior nose tackle Buma Foncham and sophomore outside linebacker Nathan Zibolski both at Upper Iowa University. That's one pick-six shy of the program single-season record set in both 2010 and 1986.

•The Bulldogs have cracked the Top 25 in every AFCA II poll since Aug. 12, 2008, and haven't fallen out of the Top 15 in over five years (the last time being Sept. 8, 2008). UMD's No. 6 ranking this week is its highest since it That represents UMD's highest ranking since it enjoyed a five-week stay at No. 2 from Aug. 27 to Sept. 24, 2012.

•Junior Austin Sikorski now has eight 100-yard rushing days to his collegiate credit -- tops among all active Bulldogs -- while sophomore running back Logan Lauters is next with five, including  three this fall.  Sikorski has run for a UMD-best 814 yards this season and 2,317 yards (on 384 carries) as a Bulldog.

•Since falling to Concordia University-St. Paul 37-27 back on Oct. 7, 2000, UMD is 43-1 in NSIC games at Malosky Stadium and 48-1 overall against NSIC members (playoffs and non-conference outings while it was a member of the NCC). The lone defeat during that stretch was inflicted by second-ranked Minnesota State-Mankato (21-17) earlier this fall. In addition, from the 2010 season opener on, the Bulldogs have compiled a 23-2 home mark.

•UMD hasn't been blanked by a visiting NSIC colleague since Minnesota State University-Moorhead turned the trick (29-0) back on Oct. 31, 1981.

ON TAP: The Bulldogs will close out the 2013 regular season with back-to-back road engagements, the first of those against the University of Mary on Nov. 9.