The University of Minnesota Duluth, which eclipsed the double-digit victory mark for the ninth time in the past 11 seasons this fall,  was slotted at No. 13 in the final 2018 American Football Coaches Association Division II Poll.

The Bulldogs closed out their 86th year of intercollegiate football with an 11-1 overall record (going a perfect 11-0 during the regular season) and captured a share of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference title while claiming the NSIC North Division title for the 11th year in a row.  UMD also earned its ninth NCAA Division II playoff berth since 2008.

National champion Valdosta State University occupied the top spot in the poll,  garnering 825 points and all 33 first-place votes. The Blazers were followed by the Ferris State University (792 points), Minnesota State University-Mankato (750 pts.), Notre Dame College (699 pts.) and Tarleton State University (670 pts.). 

The Bulldogs (408 pts.), who were ranked as high as No. 5 during the 2018 season, and Minnesota State-Mankato were the lone two NSIC schools to make the final AFCA II poll

2018 AFCA II Poll (Final)
  UMD ranked among the NCAA II leaders in a number of statistical team categories this season. In addition to leading the country in total defense (205.7 yards per game), rushing defense (59.2 yards per game) and third down conversion defense (.225) -- all program firsts -- the Bulldogs finished second in pass efficiency defense (93.25), time of possession (35:13) and kick off return defense (12.92 yards per return), third in scoring defense (12.4 points per game) and fifth in passing defense (146.5 ypg).