Armed with a 12-game regular season winning streak and an unblemished 2014 record, the University of Minnesota Duluth will make get its first taste of Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference North Division competition this Saturday (Oct. 4) when the Bulldogs host Minnesota State University-Moorhead. The opening kickoff for the Bulldog' annual Military Appreciation Night game is set for 6:05 p.m. at James S. Malosky Stadium (4,500/artificial turf) on the UMD campus.
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THE RECORDS: UMD is off to a 4-0 start this fall while MSU-Moorhead sports a 1-3 overall record.

HOW THEY RANK: Here is how the Bulldogs and Dragons stacked up in the latest American Football Coaches Association Division II and the D2Football.com polls.

        AFCA    D2Football    
UMD        No. 4    No. 5
MSUM        NR    NR
        
THE BROADCAST: For the seventh consecutive year, My9 (KBJR DT 6.2/KRII DT 11.9) is televising all UMD home games, including the one Saturday night with MSU-Moorhead. 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: portal.stretchinternet.com/umd

The Bulldog-Dragon clash will also becarried live locally on 1490 The Fan (KQDS-AM) with Jeff Papas handling the play-by-play responsibilities The broadcast can also be heard on KQ 105.5 FM in Grand Rapids/Hibbing, KQ 106.7 FM in Ely/Virginia, along with new affiliates in Hayward, Wis. (Red Zone Sports Radio 910 AM); and Pine City, Minn. (Red Zone Sports Radio 1350 AM); and Atkin, Minn. (KKIN-AM 930) as part of the Bulldog Radio Network and at: www.fan1490.com.

THE COACH: Curt Wiese, who was promoted to the UMD head coaching position on Dec. 21, 2012 after spending the previous five years as its offensive coordinator, is now 15-2 with the Bulldogs. One year ago he guided UMD to an 11-2 overall record, a sixth straight berth in the NCAA Division II playoffs, a sixth NSIC North Division title in as many years and a No. 8 national ranking in the final AFCA Division II poll. Wiese's troops also shined in the classroom last fall as 14 Bulldogs earned NSIC All-Academic Team status, including offensive lineman Andrew Pattock, who was named a first team CoSIDA Academic All-American.

For his exemplary efforts, Wiese was selected the 2013 Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award winner for Division II, a prestigious honor recognizing coaches for their responsibility, integrity, sportsmanship and excellence, on and off the field.

During Wiese's successful five-season run as the team's offensive coordinator, the Bulldogs finished near the top of the NCAA II leader board four times in scoring (third in 2012 with a school-record 46.5 points per game average, fifth in 2008, sixth in 2010 and ninth in 2009) 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 No. 1 all-time ground gainer and scorer and the holder of 17 school records. In addition, his 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 in January 2013.

Since Wiese's arrival at UMD in February 2008, the Bulldogs have gone 77-9 (for a .895 winning percentage while capturing two NCAA II national championships (2008 and 2010) along with five overall NSIC titles while producing two perfect 15-0 seasons.

Wiese, 38, came to UMD following two years of employment as the head coach at NCAA 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 and 12 All-Ohio Athletic Conference selections and was a finalist for the 2004 AFCA Division III Assistant Coach of the Year Award.

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 years 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): 15-2 (2nd)
Overall Coaching Record (Year):  24-13 (4th)
Career NSIC Record: 14-1
Career UMD Home Record:  7-1
Career UMD Road Record:  8-1
vs. MSU-Moorhead: 1-0

THE RIVALRY: Saturday night's game will mark the 56th meeting ever between UMD and MSU-Moorhead. The Bulldogs hold a commanding 34-17-4 lead in the all-time series, which began back in 1932 -- the second season of intercollegiate football at UMD -- and have reeled off 12 straight wins over their long-time rivals, including a 69-45 shootout triumph one year ago (Oct. 12) in Moorhead, Minn.

LAST WEEK: UMD's "Comeback Kids" were back at it again last Saturday night in Winona, Minn., where they rallied from a 21-13 fourth-quarter deficit to ambush Winona State University 28-21 in battle of Top 20 clubs. Sophomore quarterback Drew Bauer and freshman wide out Nate Ricci hooked up on a pair of touchdowns three minutes apart midway through the fourth quarter to lift the Bulldogs to their second come-from-behind triumph in as many road games this year. UMD relied heavily on its punishing ground attack -- 273 yards on a season-high 57 rushes -- to help keep the ball out of the hands of the high-powered Winona State offense (UMD wound up doubling up the then No. 20 Warriors in possession time, 40:20 to 19:40). Junior running back Logan Lauters finished with 128 yards on 19 carries while senior running back Austin Sikorski rushed 21 times for 120 yards. Sophomore quarterback Drew Bauer connected on 13 of 21 passes for 151 yards  and a season-best three touchdowns for the Bulldogs, who trailed 7-3 at halftime and 14-13 after three quarters.

MSU-Moorhead dug itself a 35-0 hole and subsequently suffered a 73-21 throttling at that hands of the University of Sioux Falls Saturday afternoon at Alex Nemzek Field in Moorhead. Junior quarterback Jake Hodge was one of the Dragons' bright spots, rushing for 96 yards and one touchdown and adding another 143 yards and a score through the air. MSU-Moorhead rolled up a respectable 419 yards of total offense (on 82 plays) but were torched for 663 yards (on 97 plays) by the unbeaten and then-No. 24 Cougars.

THIS IS YOUR CAPTAIN SPEAKING: The Bulldogs' team captaincy responsibilities this fall are being shared by a trio of seniors -- defensive end Jacob Brusehaver, linebacker/long snapper Yusef Hassan, and wide out/return specialist Aaron Roth. Roth served in that same role last year and is UMD's first two-time captain since 2008 (quarterback Ted Schlafke).

HIGH EXPECTATIONS, AGAIN: In their annual preseason poll the NSIC coaches picked the Bulldogs to finish first in both the North Division and overall standings this fall. UMD garnered eight first-place votes and 215 points -- three more than Minnesota State University-Mankato, which received seven votes. Winona State University, a member of the South Division, was third with 189 points (and the remaining first-place vote) followed by North Division colleague St. Cloud State University, (183 pts.), the University of Sioux Falls (147 pts.) and Augustana College (145 pts.). MSU-Moorhead. meanwhile, was projected for a 14th--lace finish in the 16-team circuit. The Bulldogs, have been tabbed as the overall NSIC preseason favorite during all but one of their previous eight years of league membership (2014, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008 and 2003 -- they belonged to the now-defunct North Central Conference from 2004-07).

DRAGON SLAYERS: Not only have the Bulldogs won 12 games in a row at MSU-Moorhead's expense (since dropping a 20-14 decision on Oct. 2, 1999 in Duluth), but over the past six games they've outscored the Dragons by a combined 347-104. The 12-game victory streak is currently the Bulldogs' longest against and active NSIC club (it shares that distinction with Bemidji State,which like the Dragons, have not defeated UMD since 1999).

THEY CHECKED THEIR DEFENSES AT THE DOOR: The last time UMD and MSU-Moorhead butted heads (Oct. 12, 2013 on the Dragons's home turf), the two clubs combined to amass 114 points, 1,309 yards of total offense, 16 touchdowns and 56 first downs. UMD, which prevailed in the slugfest, 69-45, was  outgained by the Dragons 685-619 in total offense and 472-178 in passing yards as five of the six MSU-Moorhead touchdowns came via the right arm of quarterback Jake Hodge. Current UMD senior running back Austin Sikorski rushed for a personal-high 212 yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries that afternoon while senior wide out Zach Zweifel caught eight passes for a career-best 106 yards and one touchdown. One of those receptions went for 42 yards, which remains his longest in a Bulldog uniform.

THE PRIDE OF THE NORTH: Since the NSIC instituted divisional play in 2008, the Bulldogs are a sizzling 36-2 in NSIC North Division play (19-0 at home) with both of those two losses coming to St. Cloud State (51-49 in 2012 and 35-7 in 2011). They've also gone 26-2 versus South Division opponents over that same period with setbacks to Minnesota State-Mankato (21-17 in Duluth one year ago) and to host Wayne State (7-0 in 2011) being the only two setbacks.

THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN'T TACKLE: Junior linebacker Nathan Zibolski now has an even 100 tackles for his career and is the second Bulldog defender to reach the century mark this season (senior linebacker Gavin Grady did it three weeks ago and now has figured in on a team-high 109 stops). Within striking distance is junior cornerback Darion Fletcher (92).

ON A ROLL: UMD has now reeled off 12 consecutive regular season triumphs going back to 21-17 home loss to Minnesota State-Mankato on Sept. 21, 2013.

IN GOOD HANDS: Between them, the standout senior wide receiver tandem of Aaron Roth and Zach Zweifel have caught 244 passes for 3,073 yards and 21 touchdowns since they first emerged on the UMD landscape as true freshman in 2011. Here's where they both stand on UMD's all-time catch charts:

UMD CAREER PASS RECEIVING LEADERS

Player (Years)	No.	Yds.	TD
1. Tim Battaglia (2000-03)	189	`3,685	38
2. Steve Battaglia (1999-02)	182	3,037	33
3. Greg Aker (2003-06)	178	2,211	25
4. D.J. Winfield (2007-10)	170	2,896	27
5. Tony Doherty (2005-08)	148	1,861	15
6. Zach Zweifel (2011- )	130	1,709	13
7. Aaron Roth (2011- )	114	1,264	8

 
SOME MALOSKY MOJO: Since falling 37-27 to Concordia-St. Paul back on Oct. 7, 2000, UMD has gone 46-1 in NSIC games at Malosky Stadium. The lone blemish over that time was inflicted by Minnesota State-Mankato one year ago.

QUITE A RUN: Going back to the start of the 2008 season, no NCAA II outfit in the country has produced a better winning percentage (.895) than UMD. In terms of victories over that stretch, the Bulldogs (77) take a backseat only to defending national champion Northwest Missouri State University (79).
 

Team	W-L	Pct
1. UMD	77-9	.895
2. Northwest Missouri State	79-11	.878
3. Bloomsburg	62-14	.816
4. Minnesota State-Mankato	62-15	.805
5. Grand Valley State	66-17	.795
6. Colorado State-Pueblo	58-15	.794
7. Shepherd University	55-17	.764
8. California U. (Pa.)	61-19	.763
9. West Texas A&M	59-22	.728
10. Pittsburg State	54-21	.720

GROUND IT OUT: Through four games, the Bulldogs find themselves in familiar territory -- leading the NSIC in rushing offense. UMD is averaging 301.5 yards per game on the ground (the seventh best figure among all NCAA II schools) and 6.2 yards a carry thus far in 2014.

GROUND IT OUT II: With a 120-yard effort Saturday in Winona, Austin Sikorski moved up to third on UMD's all-time rushing charts, leapfrogging quarterback Chase Vogler (2,903 yards from 2009-12) and All-American running back Ted McKnight (2,957 yards from 1973-76) in the process. Sikorski, the 2014 NSIC North Division Preaseason Offensive Player of the Year, has rolled up the fourth largest lifetime rushing total (2,849 yards -- only six active NCAA II combatants have more) in club history. The two-time All-NSIC honoree (first team in 2013 and second team the previous year) has averaged 5.9 yards per carry for his career -- the second best figure of any Bulldog runner with over 2,000 yards. Sikorski leads all active Bulldogs in 100-yard rushing days with 13 while junior running back Logan Lauters is next (eight, including a pair this fall) followed by sophomore quarterback Drew Bauer (two). In the 2014 season opener against Concordia University-St. Paul, Lauters ran for a career-best and 2014 UMD single-game high 165 yards on just 14 touches. He's now just 41 yards short of the 2,000-yard career mark and has averaged an impressive 6.7 yards per run (8.0 this fall).

UMD CAREER RUSHING LEADERS

Player (Years)	Att.	Yds.	Avg.	TD
1. Issac Odim (2008-10)	589	4,242	7.2	72
2. Dave Rufledt (2001-04)	648	3,228	5.1	47
3. Brad Foss (2007-10)	531	3,001	5.6	30
4. Austin Sikorski (2011- )	502	2,969	5.9	38

YOUNG PUPS: Of the 106 individuals who comprise the 2014 Bulldog roster, only 26 are either juniors (12) or seniors (14). There are 20 sophomores, 22 redshirt freshmen and 38 first-year rookies.

WHERE THEY'RE FROM: Nearly 60 percent of the current crop of Bulldogs are from Minnesota -- some 63 in all -- and another 38 UMD players are Wisconsin natives. Indiana (2), Washington (2), and Illinois (1) are home to the remaining five Bulldogs.

BULLDOG BITS: UMD hasn't been blanked by a visiting NSIC colleague since Minnesota State University-Moorhead turned the trick (29-0) way back on Oct. 31, 1981 ... Senior Aaron Roth is the lone Bulldog who has played in all 43 games over the past four seasons ... Redshirt freshman tight end Keynon Phillips made his first collegiate start Saturday in Winona ... Sophomore quarterback Drew Bauer, who has done all UMD's passing to date (going 49-of-95 for 521 yards and six touchdowns) threw his first interception of the season in the 28-21 win over Winona State. Bauer has rushed for 1,076 yards (on 206 touches) in 17 starts with the Bulldogs ...UMD has allowed just two first-half touchdown the entire season while outscoring the opposition 40-17 in the opening 30 minues of play ... The Bulldogs are averaging 72.5 offensive plays a game thus far in 2014. In contrast MSU-Moorhead opponents have run an average of nearly 95 plays from scrimmage. The UMD single-game record for total plays is 98 (vs. Winona State on Nov. 4, 2000) ... Junior Andrew Brees was among 24 placekickers who were cited by the Fred Mitchell Award committee for their excellence on the football field and in the community during the month of September. Brees, currently tops the Bulldogs in scoring with 26 points, making good on six of eight field goals and six of seven extra points in addition to scoring once on a two-point conversion run.

ON TAP: The Bulldogs will next hit the road for a NSIC North Division collision with St. Cloud State on Oct. 11.