For the sixth time in program history, and the fourth time in the last 11 years, the University of Minnesota Duluth successfully ran the table on the regular season, going a perfect 11-0 following a 40-13 Senior Day victory over Northern State University Saturday afternoon at James S. Malosky Stadium.
 
With the win, the Bulldogs also laid claim to a share of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference championship –  their league-best 20th ever, but first since 2014.
 

Freshman redshirt running back Zach Ojile ran for a pair of touchdowns for the Bulldogs, which followed up a scoreless first quarter by erupting for 25 second-quarter points to take a 25-7 lead into halftime. Junior quarterback Mike Rybarczyk completed 16 of his 26 pass attempts for 213 yards and tacked on another 37 rushing yards, which included a five-yard, third quarter touchdown run.

Nate Ricci, one of 22 UMD seniors who were honored prior to the start of the regular season finale, had a game-high six receptions for 103 yards and also threw one touchdown – a 43-yard strike to redshirt freshman running back Wade Sullivan off a reverse with five minutes to go before half.
 
The No. 6 Bulldogs, who rank first among all NCAA II schools in total defense, racked up 515 yards of total offense and held the Wolves to 266, including just 30 yards on the ground. Northern State had just one offensive series that went over five plays and that was their first scoring drive (75 yards on 16 plays).  Senior strong safety Sam Lynch was credited with a team-high seven total tackles and two pass breakups while junior free safety Bill Atkins had six stops. 

"I thought our team played a terrific game," said UMD Head Coach Curt Wiese. "Our offensive line did a good job today. We took what they gave us and did a good job on third downs. Our defense is good up front. When you have a group of seniors like this, we know that if they catch us in a play or two we'll have the ability to settle in and that's exactly what happened today.

"To end up 11-0 on the season and finish in this style at home in front of our fans is a fun way to get to 11-0." 

UMD will learn of its postseason fate tomorrow at 4 p.m. when the 28-school NCAA DII championship field is announced on ncaa.com. The Bulldogs will be seeking their ninth NCAA II playoff berth in the last 11 years.