The University of Minnesota Duluth will make its 2016 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference North Division road debut this Saturday (Oct. 8) when the Bulldogs invade Herb Parker Stadium (4,000/artificial turf) to take on Minot State University. Opening kickoff is set for 1 p.m.

Complete Release/Stats (pdf)

THE RECORDS: Riding a four-game winning steak, the Bulldogs are 4-1 (tied for second place) this fall while Minot State sports a 1-4 mark (tied for 13th place).

HOW THEY RANK: Here is how the Bulldogs and Beavers stacked up in this week's American Football Coaches Association Division II and D2Football.com polls.
 
         AFCA    D2Football    
UMD     RV    No. 19    
MSU    NR    NR            

THE BROADCAST: The Bulldog-Beaver matchup will be carried live locally on 92.1 FM The Fan with Jeff Papas handling the play-by-play responsibilities. The broadcast can also be heard on KQ 105.5 FM in Grand Rapids/Hibbing, Minn., and KQ 106.7 FM in Ely/Virginia, Minn., as part of the Bulldog Radio Network and at: 921thefan.com or free via the iHeartRadio app

Saturday afternoon's game will be videostreammed as well and can be accessed for free at: portal.stretchinternet.com/umd.

THE COACH: Curt Wiese is in his fourth season of head coaching duty with the Bulldogs, having guided them to a 37-7 overall record (only two NCAA II coaches have won more games during that stretch), two NCAA II playoff appearances (2013 and 2014), one overall NSIC title (it shared that honor with Minnesota State University-Mankato in 2014) and three straight NSIC North Division crowns. Last fall, the Bulldogs went 9-3 after going 13-1 (their third most single-season victories ever) in 2014 and closing out the year holding down the No. 3 spot in the final AFCA Division II poll. That followed up a rookie-go-around that included an 11-2 mark in all games and a No. 8 final AFCA II poll ranking.

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.

Since being appointed UMD's sixth head coach on Dec. 21, 2012, Wiese has helped produce 15 different All-Americans and 23 All-NSIC first team selections while 39 of his Bulldogs have earned NSIC All-Academic status (including offensive lineman Andrew Pattock, who as a senior in 2013 was named a first team CoSIDA Academic All-American).

Over the course of 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 99-14 (for an .876 winning percentage over that stretch -- the second-best mark in NCAA II football) while capturing two NCAA II national championships (2008 and 2010), six overall NSIC titles and eight NSIC North Division crowns. They've also made seven NCAA II playoff appearances and produced two perfect 15-0 seasons and three 11-0 regular seasons.

Wiese, 40, 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 is one of 10 head coaches nationwide who are honorary coach nominees for the 2016 Allstate Insurance and American Football Coaches Association Good Works Team.

WIESE BY THE NUMBERS
Record at UMD (Year): 37-7 (4th)
Overall Coaching Record (Year): 46-18 (6th)
Career NSIC Record: 33-5
Career UMD Home Record: 20-1
Career UMD Road Record: 17-6
vs. Minot State: 3-0

THE RIVALRY: UMD and Minot State have met on just four previous occasions with all coming since the 2012 season when the Beavers joined forces with the NSIC. The Bulldogs prevailed 44-6 in the two clubs' first-ever matchup on Oct. 13, 2012 in Minot, N.D. and then shut down the Beavers 52-0 one year later (Oct. 19) at James S. Malosky Stadium. The Bulldogs capped off a perfect 11-0 regular season in 2015 by cruising to a 56-0 victory in Minot. (Nov. 15) and last fall (Nov. 14) polished off the Beavers 36-10 in the regular season finales for both clubs.

LAST WEEK: The Bulldogs extended their James S. Malosky Stadium winning streak to 19 games and kept their perfect all-time NSIC North Division home record intact (28-0) by toppling Minnesota State University-Moorhead 42-34. UMD, which never trailed the entire day, held what appeared to be a comfortable 35-10 lead (after scoring on each of tits first five possessions) before the Dragons reeled off 17 straight points in the final five minutes of the first half. Midway through the third quarter, senior quarterback Drew Bauer hooked up on a 41-yard touchdown pass to junior wide out D.J. Hebert to put the Bulldogs up 42-27 and the UMD defense took it from there, limiting the Dragons to just 49 yards of total offense the entire second half. UMD utililzed a balance offensive attack, generating 289 yards through the air and 254 yards on the ground. Senior running back Darren Walker rushed for a game-high 96 yards on 17 carries while Bauer made good on 19 of 31 passes for 232 yards and four touchdowns. Senior inside linebacker Beau Bates topped both teams with 12 total tackles, including 10 solos, and forced three fumbles. The Bulldogs forced four turnovers, converting three of those miscues into 20 points en route to derailing MSU-Moorhead for the 15th consecutive time.

Minot State suffered its third straight loss -- a 41-28 decision to Northern State University Saturday afternoon. Beaver senior wide receiver Akkil Walker caught three passes for 104 yards and one touchdown in the setback.

BEAVER BUSTERS: Not only are the Bulldogs 4-0 all-time versus the Beavers, but they have outscored them 188-16 in those four triumphs.

THE NORTH'S TOP DOG: Since the NSIC instituted divisional play in 2008, the Bulldogs are a sizzling 50-3 in NSIC North Division assignments (28-0 at home). Beside a 23-15 setback at Northern State last Halloween, the other losses came in consecutive years at St. Cloud State (51-49 in 2012 and 35-7 in 2011). UMD is the eight-time defending NSIC North Division champion.

ON A RECORD RUN: Senior quarterback Drew Bauer needs just 10 more yards to supplant his predecessor, Chase Vogler, as the Bulldogs' all-time quarterback rushing leader. In 41 career outings. Bauer has run for 2,892 yards (which ranks second -- only to the University of Sioux Falls' Luke Papilion - among all active NCAA II quarterbacks) while Vogler rolled up 2,903 yards between 2009-12. Last fall, the Inver Grove Heights, Minn., native became just the third signal caller ever to reign as UMD's top ground gainer with 661 yards (joining Vogler in 2012 and Ted Schlafke in 2007).

BALL CONTROL: No NCAA II outfit in the country has done a better job of controlling the football this fall than UMD. The Bulldogs currently rank first nationally in time of possession with a 37:31 per game average -- after occupying the No. 3 spot at the conclusion of the 2015 season (34:08)

DOWN TO THE WIRE: In each of UMD's first four games this season, the go-ahead touchdown came with less than five minutes to go in regulation with UMD doing the scoring in the last three of them. Last Saturday's 42-35 victory over MU-Moorhead marked the first time in seven games (going back to last season vs. Bemidji State University on Nov. 7) UMD led from start to finish.

SACK IT TO 'EM: UMD has registered 18 quarterback sacks through the opening five games of the 2016 season, a number unsurpassed by any NSIC club and only eight NCAA II schools at the moment. Junior outside linebacker Zach Bassuener and senior inside linebacker Beau Bates rank 1-2 in the NSIC in that department with 5.5 and 5.0 sacks, respectively. Bassuener also tops the 2016 Bulldogs in quarterback hurries with seven.

START ME UP: Senior offensive tackle Peter Bateman, who last month was rated as the No. 1 NCAA II offensive tackle in the nation by Hero Sports, has started all 44 games over the last four seasons -- the longest ironman run of any active Bulldog. A 2016 D2Football.com Preseason All-American first team pick, Bateman collared All-NSIC North Division status for the third straight season one year ago (first team in 2015 and 2014 and second team in 2013) as well as USA College Football All-American (first team) and Don Hansen All-American (honorable mention) acclaim.

START ME UP II: Defensive back Bill Atkins made his first collegiate start this past Saturday against MSU-Moorhead and figured in on four total tackles.

KEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES: Rookie running back Jaleen Jones rushed for 91 yards on only two carries last Saturday afternoon at Malosky Stadium. The first of those carries-- which was just his third rushing attempt as a collegian -- went for 85 yards and a second-quarter touchdown. That was the longest run from scrimmage by a Bulldog since All-American Isaac Odim's 86-yard jaunt against Concordia University-St. Paul on Aug. 29, 2009. Jones is one of three true freshmen who have seen playing time for the Bulldogs this fall, joining placekicker/punter Cameron Hausman and cornerback Bishop McDonald.

BAUER POWER: Drew Bauer, who is 34-7 as a starter since assuming that role at the outset of the 2013 season, is averaging 366.6 yards of total offense, which puts him No. 1 in the NSIC and fifth nationally in that department. He also currently ranks first among NCAA II quarterbacks in career scoring (232 points), second in rushing (2,892 yards) and fifth in both total offense (9,944 yards) and touchdown passes (72). To date, the two-time All-NSIC North Division honoree has generated both the third-most all-time total yards and fourth-most passing yards (7,027) in team history.

Two weeks ago (Sept. 24) in UMD's 41-38 triumph over Augustana, Bauer set a personal best for both total offense (470 yards, the fourth-highest single-game total in program history) and passing yards (331, which stands 10th on the team's all-time single-game charts).

BEAU KNOWS DEFENSE: Senior inside linebacker Beau Bates, UMD's leading tackler from a year ago (he had 71 stops for the second consecutive fall), tops the Bulldogs in that statistical category so far this season with 40 takedowns (12 of which were recorded last Saturday aftenroon). For his career, the 2015 Don Hansen All-Super Region 3 second team and All-NSIC North Division first team honoree has accumulated a team-leading 217 tackles. The next closest Bulldog to Bates in lifetime tackles is fellow senior inside linebacker Ben McDonald, a first-year starter who has been credited with 87 stops. Bates and senior offensive tackle Peter Bateman are the lone two Bulldogs to see field time in each of UMD's 44 games over the past four seasons.

BEAU KNOWS OFFENSE: Senior wide out Beau Bofferding racked up a career-high eight pass receptions against MSU-Moorhead while extending his run of consecutive games with at least one catch to 30 (going back to Week Two of the 2014 season). That is still well short of the mark of 40 straight outings set by D.J. Winfield between Sept. 28, 2008 and Oct. 27, 2010). Bofferding needs just six more catches to become the 11th Bulldog to reach the 100-reception mark. The Marshall, Minn., product and 2015 All-NSIC North Division first team selection is also averaging the fourth most all-purpose yards (160.2) in the NSIC at the moment.

A NICE RETURN ON ITS INVESTMENT: Junior Nate Ricci currently ranks ninth among all NCAA II combatants in punt return average (17.7 yards) and has already brought back one punt for a touchdown (his first such score as a collegian) this fall -- a 62-yard jaunt in UMD's 2016 Malosky Stadium debut against Winona State. Two Saturdays ago against Augustana College, Ricci set a career-high with his 153 receiving yards and matched another with his six pass receptions. The last Bulldog pass catcher to crack the 150-yard barrier was D.J. Winfield, who did it (160 yards) at Central Washington University on Aug. 30, 2010. Ricci's team-leading 21 receptions in four games this season are four more than his previous best (17 in both 2014 and 2015).

POUND THE GROUND: Drew Bauer has registered 10, 100-yard rushing afternoons as a Bulldog -- including two this fall -- while senior running back Darren Walker (five times), a 2015 transfer from Los Angeles Harbor College, junior wide out Nate Ricci (once) and sophomore running back Jamiah Newell (once), who is out for the season with a lower body injury, are the only other three Bulldogs to reach that barrier.

BULLDOG BITS: UMD has outscored the opposition by a slim 207-194 margin this fall but has put up more points than its foes in all four quarters ... Six active Bulldogs have an interception to their collegiate credit but only sophomore free safety Sam Lynch (three, including a pair in 2016) and junior free safety Kegan Wirtz (two, both this season) are the only members of  that group with more than one pick ... UMD is in the midst of a five week stretch in which this weekend is the lone time it will be on the road ... Curt Wiese has won 37 of 44 games since taking over the Bulldog program three seasons ago and only two other NCAA II coaches -- Northwest Missouri State's Adam Dorrel (45) and Colorado State University-Pueblo's John Wristen (39) -- have complied more victories during that the time period ... Just under 90 percent of the 2016 Bulldogs come from either Minnesota (56) or Wisconsin (35). Illinois (6), California (1), Colorado (1), Florida (1) and Washington (1) are home to the remaining 10 Bulldogs ... UMD will enter this weekend having generated the sixth most first downs (133) in the country .. Beau Bofferding has already had two kickoff returns of 70 yards this season ... redshirt freshman linebacker Aaron Gorres leds the Bulldogs in special teams tackles with eight (his entire 2016 stop total).  

UP NEXT: The Bulldogs will return to James S. Malosky Stadium for Homecoming an a Oct. 15 NSIC North Division clash with Northern State University.