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The University of Minnesota Duluth will make its 2017 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference North Division road debut this Saturday (Oct. 7) when the Bulldogs pay a visit to Moorhead, Minn., to take on Minnesota State University-Moorhead. Opening kickoff for the Dragons' Homecoming is set for 2 p.m. at Alex Nemzek Stadium (4,000/artificial turf).

THE RECORDS: UMD is off to a 3-2 start while the Dragons are 2-3.

THE BROADCAST: The Bulldog-Dragon clash will be carried live locally on KDAL-Radio (610 AM and 103.9 FM) with Jeff Papas on the call. The broadcast can also be heard at: kdal610.com.

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 fifth season of head coaching duty with the Bulldogs, having guided them to a 46-10 overall record (only two NCAA II coaches have won more games during that stretch), three NCAA II playoff appearances (2013, 2014 and 2016), one overall NSIC title (it shared that honor with Minnesota State University-Mankato in 2014), four straight NSIC North Division crowns and a school-record 22-game home winning streak which stretched between Oct. 5, 2013 and Nov. 12, 2016.

Last fall, his Bulldogs reeled off 10 straight victories following a setback in the season opener and wound up going 10-2. Along the way they returned to the NCAA II playoffs after a brief, one-year absence, and occupied the No. 13 spot in the final AFCA II poll. One year earlier, UMD capped off a 9-3 season by defeating Fort Hays State University 30-22 in the Mineral Water Bowl and in 2014 rolled up a 13-1 overall record (the third most wins in program history) and captured a share of its league-record 19th NSIC crown after going 11-0 in conference play. That was in addition to advancing to the quarterfinal round of the NCAA II playoffs and ending up at No. 3 spot in the final AFCA II poll. That followed up Wiese's 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 17 different All-Americans and 27 All-NSIC first team selections while his Bulldogs have earned NSIC All-Academic status 55 times. That includes 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 generated both the second- most victories (they are 108-17) and winning percentage (.864) in the country while capturing two NCAA II national championships (2008 and 2010), six overall NSIC titles (2008-12 and 2014) and nine NSIC North Division crowns. They've also made eight NCAA II playoff appearances and produced two perfect 15-0 seasons and three 11-0 regular seasons.

Wiese 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 was among 10 head coaches nationwide who were honorary coach nominees for the 2016 Allstate Insurance and American Football Coaches Association Good Works Team.

    WIESE BY THE NUMBERS
    Record at UMD (Year): 46-10 (5th)
    Overall Coaching Record (Year):  55-21 (7th)
    Career NSIC Record: 43-7
    Career UMD Home Record:  4-3
    Career UMD Road Record: 22-7
    vs. MSU-Moorhead:   4-0

THE RIVALRY: Saturday afternoon's game will mark the 59th meeting ever between UMD and MSU-Moorhead. The Bulldogs hold a commanding 37-17-4 lead in the all-time series, which began back in 1932 -- the second season of intercollegiate football at UMD -- and have reeled off 15 straight wins over their long-time rivals, including a 42-34 takedown one year ago (Oct. 1) at James S. Malosky Stadium.

LAST WEEK:  In what UMD head coach Curt Wiese called his team's "first complete game of the season", the Bulldogs rolled past St. Cloud State 34-21 last Thursday night in Duluth. In the process, UMD also claimed first rights to "The Bone" trophy for winning the annual matchup between these two long-time interstate rivals.

Junior running back Anthony Wood, a transfer from Fullerton (Calif.) College, rushed for a UMD season-high 128 yards and one touchdown on 17 carries while helping the Bulldogs post their first home win of the year. Wood opened the scoring with a five-yard touchdown run five minutes into the game and gave the Bulldogs a lead (7-0) it would never relinquish. UMD entered the halftime break up 20-7 thanks to sophomore quarterback Ben Everhart's  pair of 52-yard scoring strikes to senior wide outs James Conner and Dominic Bonner. Bonner went on to haul in another touchdown reception (from nine yards) from Everhart in the third quarter and junior wide out Jason Balts did likewise three plays into the fourth quarter. That did it for Everhart, who wound up completing 10 of 19 passes for 183 yards and the four touchdowns. He also added another 81 yards on the ground on 14 carries.

The Bulldogs one-upped the Huskies in virtually every statistical category, including total yards  (471 to 283), rushing yards (288 to 76), time of possession (UMD held the ball for just  37 of the 60 minutes) and first downs (21 of 14). Both the total yards and rushing yards were 2017 bests for UMD, which also converted on 8 of 15 third down conversions while the Huskies went a mere 2-for-11. Junior inside linebacker A.J. Naatz was one of three Bulldogs to register  a team-high five tackles and had 2.0 sacks as well. UMD's seemingly relentless pressure on St. Cloud State quarterback Justin Czech resulted in six QB hurries and three sacks.

MSU-Moorhead also made its 2017 NSIC North Division debut, but fell 28-20 at Northern State University on Saturday afternoon.  The Dragons, who twice had ball inside the 10-yard line in final six minutes of play but came up empty on both occasions, got a monster performance from Damon Gibsonin the setback. The senior wide out racked up 16 receptions (equalling a program  record) for 131 yards while running back  Austin Stone rushed for that same total and a touchdown.

DRAGON SLAYERS: Not only have the Bulldogs won 15 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 nine  matchups (or since UMD rejoined the NSIC in 2008) they've outscored the Dragons by a combined 504-173 while not once being held under 42 points. That 15-game victory streak is currently the Bulldogs' longest against any current NSIC club (it shares that distinction with Bemidji State,which, like the Dragons, has not defeated UMD in 18 years).

NORTH DIVISION DOMINATORS: In addition to claiming at least a share of all nine NSIC North Division titles since the league instituted divisional play in 2008, the Bulldogs are a sizzling 57-3 in North Division assignments. That includes a perfect 32-0 mark at home. Besides a 23-15 defeat at Northern State on Oct. 31, 2015, UMD's other NSIC North Division losses came in consecutive years at St. Cloud State (51-49 in 2012 and 35-7 in 2011).

FAMILIAR FOES: UMD has faced MSU-Moorhead on more occasions (58) in its 85-year history than any other opponent. Bemidji State is next on that list (56 times).

GREAT BALTS OF FIRE: Jason Balts, who two weeks ago at Wayne State College generated the third-highest single-game pass reception yardage total (217) in UMD history, continues to top the Bulldogs in catches (31). He currently  ranks 19th nationally in receiving  yards with 519 -- a figure bettered by only one other NSIC combatant -- MSU-Moorhead's Damon Gibson (554). Balts' multi-purpose yards per game average (154.6) this fall is the third best in the NSIC.

TAXING SCHEDULE: UMD's five opponents to date are a combined 19-6 and the two clubs that defeated the Bulldogs earlier this year, nationally-ranked and No. 5 Minnesota State No. 6 Sioux Falls both sport 5-0 records. MSU-Moorhead is the first foe UMD will face this year with a losing record.

NO PASSING FANCING:  Sophomore quarterback Ben Everhart, in just his third collegiate start,  threw for four touchdowns against St. Cloud State - the most by a UMD quarterback since Drew Bauer also tossed four scoring passes against MSU Moorhead on Oct. 1, 2016. This came on heels of Everhart's 422-yard passing day at Wayne State five days earlier. That output was eclipsed only two times previously by a Bulldog - All-American Ted Schlafke in 2005 (457 yards against the University of South Dakota and 430 yards against St. Cloud State.). Everhart, who has now appeared in eight career games at UMD,  ranks 13th among NCAA II signal caller and first in the NSIC in passing yards per completion (14.97).

IN GOOD HANDS: No NCAA II outfit in the country did a better job of controlling the football last season than UMD. The Bulldogs ranked first nationally in time of possession with a 36:06 per game average after occupying the No. 3 spot at the conclusion of the 2015 season (34:08). Thus far in 2017, UMD ranks 13 th nationally in that department (33:40).  UMD has held the upper hand in time of possession over its opponent in 19 of the past 21 games.

GETTING HIS KICKS: Sophomore Cameron Hausman has already punted a career-high 32 times this year after he -- and two other Bulldogs -- registered 32 punts during the entire 12-game 2017 season. (Hausman had 26 of those punts).

DOWN AND OUT: UMD is one of just three NCAA II schools -- and the lone unit from the NSIC -- that has yet to allow a fourth down conversion this season, although its opponents are only 0-for-1 in that situation (and was by Sioux Falls in the season opener).

BULLDOG BITS: For the first time since 2014, UMD has started a season with two straight road wins.

• Cornerbacks Justic'e King, who made his first collegiate start last Thursday night, and Jake Goodman, who made his first collegiate appearance that same evening, are the lone two first-year Bulldog freshmen to see playing time so far in 2017. King has been credited with 13 total tackles and one interception while Goodman was in on one stop against St. Cloud State.

• The Bulldogs have been outscored 41-17 in the third quarter this season but have turned the tables on the opposition (45-34) in the final 15 minutes of regulation. Last Thursday (against St. Cloud State) marked the first time the Bulldogs took a lead  into the fourth quarter since Nov. 5, 2016 -- a span of six games.
 
• Junior Matt Juneau, who relocated from right tackle to left tackle on the UMD offensive front this season, has cracked the starting lineup in 25 consecutive games--the longest ironman streak of any 2017 Bulldog. Senior outside linebacker Zach Bassuener is next with 21.
 
• The 2016 Bulldogs racked up a program-record 52 sacks, 11.5 of which came from current senior outside linebacker Zach Bassuener. Bassuener,a 2016 All-NSIC first team selection, has been credited with a team-leading 2.5 sacks thus far in 2017. The Bulldogs as a team rank ninth in the NSIC in the sacks department (nine) while giving up fourth-most sacks (16) of any league school.

• Some 12 different Bulldogs have already run the football this season, including junior transfer Anthony Wood, whose 290 yards on 50 carries tops the club. UMD, which finished 13th in NCAA II rushing offense last fall (averaging 233.4 yards per outing), has outgained the opposition on the ground in 24 of the past 26 games with the 2017 opener against Sioux Falls (when UMD managed negative-16 yards of rushing offense) and ensuing weekend (59 yards versus Minnesota State-Mankato) being the exceptions.

• Senior offensive tackle and part-time fullback Nolan Folkert has rushed nine times for nine yards and eight touchdowns during his career (with all those carries coming in the past two seasons).

• Since taking over the Bulldog program four-plus seasons ago, Curt Wiese has won 46 of 56 games Only two other NCAA II head coaches -- Colorado State University-Pueblo's John Wristen and Shepherd University's Monte Cater (both with 49) -- have accumulated more victories during that the time period. Of Wiese's 10 lifetime losses, seven have come against NSIC South Division members (including four at the hands of Minnesota State) and one against a NSIC North Division foe (at Northern State on Oct. 31, 2015). The other two setbacks have occurred in NCAA II postseason play.

• Six current Bulldogs have an interception to their collegiate credit and four of those have multiple thefts -- junior strong safety Sam Lynch (four, including a team-leading three in 2016), senior free safety Kegan Wirtz (three- one this season and two in 2016), sophomore strong safety Bill Atkins (two - both last fall) and sophomore cornerback Bishop McDonald (one in 2016 and the club's first pick of this season). First-year Bulldogs Justic'e King and Dennis Archibald both recorded their first interceptions at UMD two weeks ago at Wayne State.

• Going back to the 2008 season opener, only one NCAA II team in the country has racked up more victories (108) and posted a higher winning percentage (.864) than UMD. That club, top-ranked Northwest Missouri State University, is the two-time the defending NCAA II champion, and owns the nation's longest winning streak at 35 games, having not lost since falling 25-21 to host UMD in the opening round of the 2014 NCAA II playoffs (Nov. 22).

UP NEXT: UMD will remain on the road to take on  Northern State on Oct. 14.