HUDDLE UP After a bounce-back and dominating defensive effort last weekend, the University of Minnesota Duluth football program ranks No. 23 ahead of yet another inter-divisional Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference match-up as the Bulldogs travel to South Dakota to take on the University of Sioux Falls for just the fourth-ever meeting in the history of the two programs. Opening kick is set for just after 1 p.m. 

LAST TIME OUT Wayne State (Neb.) College could not get anything going offensively against No. 23 UMD at Malosky Stadium for Homecoming, stifled by the Bulldog defense that  collected seven sacks in the game and held the Wildcats to just 30 yards rushing and 76 yards in the air. Offensively, the quarterback tandem of redshirt freshman Keegan Calchera and sophomore Garrett Olson did just enough to back a 175-yard combined rushing performance by seven Bulldogs. Olson was 8-for-9 through the air for 48 yards, while Calchera went 5-for-10 for 52 yards. Sophomore Wade Sullivan scored a pair of touchdowns on the ground, while junior Cazz Martin led all rushers with 68 yards.

BULLDOGS IN THE POLLS The American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division II Coaches Poll saw little change this week, with No. 23 UMD staying put after slipping the previous week. The Bulldogs are one of two teams from NSIC ranked in the top 25, with No. 3 Minnesota State leading the way. 

NCAA SUPERLATIVES After another stout showing, UMD's defense continues to rank among the nation's best in NCAA II. Opponents have totaled just 94 first downs against the Bulldogs (15.67 per game), good or no. 27 nationally. UMD ranks no. 32 with its eight interceptions, no. 25 with 2.83 sacks per game, and no. 17 with 85. tackles per loss. In total defense, the Bulldogs rank no. 22 allowing 273.5 yards per game, including 112.5 on the ground (no. 35) and 161.0 in the air (no. 21). Individually, Nate Pearson's 2.5 sacks against Wayne State move him up to no. 9 nationally, averaging 1.17 per outing, and no. 27 in tackles for loss (1.6).

On special teams, the Bulldogs have blocked the fourth-most kicks in the country with five and are one of just seven teams in the country with three blocked punts.

Offensively, UMD ranks no. 60 averaging 385.2 yards and no. 54 averaging 31.7 points per game. Despite missing a game, junior quarterback John Larson ranks  no. 21 in yards per completion at 14.98, no. 43 in total offense at 242.2 yards per game, no. 53 with his nine passing touchdowns, and no. 78 with his 182.8 passing yard per game.

AGAINST THE COMPETITION Sioux Falls has won the last two meetings with UMD, improving to 2-1 in the short history of the two programs. Curt Wiese's team defeated the Cougars 32-7 in his coaching debut at Malosky Stadium back in 2013. USF currently leads the NSIC averaging 34.3 points per game, while the Bulldogs are second at 31.7.

LAST MEETING Among the current crop of Bulldogs, only senior Obi Ibeneme returns having caught two passes for 22 yards in a 26-7 USF victory back in the 2017 season opener. Senior punter Cameron Hausman tossed a one-yard pass on a play fake. Junior defensive back Justic'e King made a pair of tackles on defense while seniors Bill Atkins, Nate Pearson, and Tom Johnson each added one in the game. 

THREE-HOLE PUNCH While junior quarterback John Larson has been prolific in all aspects in all aspects of his game so far this season, he's one of three Bulldog rushers averaging a combined 150 yards per game. Larson paces the team, averaging 59.4 yards per game while the running back tandem of Sullivan and Martin averaging 52.2 and 48.8 respectively. UMD now stands at 4-0 on the year when the team has 150 or more rushing yards. The trio each ranks in the top 20 of the NSIC for rushing with Larson fourth, Sullivan no. 13, and Martin at no. 18.

TRICK OR TREAT? UMD broke out the trickery against Wayne State with senior wide receiver Nick Eliason throwing a 16-yard dart to junior wideout Quincy Woods to help the Bulldogs continue a drive. Wide receiver Nate Ricci ('18) went 3-for-4 passing last season, with a season-long of 43 yards.

TAKE TWO, OR FEWER UMD is allowing just 11.0 points per game in its five victories this season, allowing more than two scores just once (a 48-20 win at MSU Moorhead on Sept. 14) in a victory.

NSIC HASHMARKS John Larson currently ranks second in the NSIC in both QB efficiency at 138.7 and total offense at 242.2 ... Nate Pearson is one of just two players in the NSIC to average more than one sack per game (1.17), behind Concordia-St. Paul's Chris Garrett (1.50) ... Michael Kirkendoll's six passes defended (five break-ups, one interception) are among the league's best as he averages 1.20 per game, third-best in the NSIC. 

HALFTIME ADJUSTMENTS UMD's defense has allowed points in the second half of just 2-of-6 games so far this season, pitching second-half shutouts against Minot State University, Minnesota State University Moorhead, and Bemidji State. The Bulldogs have outscored opponents 125-31 in the second half so far this season. 

COACHING DOMINANCE Since taking over the Bulldog program five years ago, Curt Wiese has won 68-of-81 games. Only one other NCAA II head coach—Colorado State-Pueblo's John Wristen (70)—has accumulated more victories during that stretch.

NO PLACE LIKE HOME Going back to the 2008 opener, the Bulldogs are 58-7 at Malosky Stadium (with two of the losses coming to Minnesota State in 2013 and 2017 and three others to a pair of clubs in the NCAA II playoffs). 

LEAVING NOTHING BLANK The Bulldogs haven't been held scoreless in 103- straight games (going back to a 7-0 loss at Wayne State on Sept. 17, 2011) and the last time they were shut out at home was 89 contests ago (28-0 to St. Cloud State on Nov. 6, 2004).

RUNNING THE TABLE Last fall, UMD went unbeaten and untied during the entire regular season for the sixth time in the program's 86-year history. The Bulldogs also accomplished that feat in 2014, 2010, 2008, 2002 and 1980.

TOP OF THE HEAP ONCE MORE The 2018 Bulldogs claimed a share (with Minnesota State University-Mankato) - of the NSIC title-- their 20th title ever (no school has more) -- and first since 2014. UMD also captured its 11th-straight NSIC North Division championship in 2018.

A NEW-LOOK SIDELINE Bulldog Country will have to get use to some new (but familiar) faces joining head coach Curt Wiese on the sideline as former Bulldog All-American quarterback Chase Vogler returns to campus to claim the offensive coordinator position. He is not alone, bringing another UMD All-American with him as Garth Heikkinen will now oversee the offensive line. Former standout wide receiver Jason Balts will serve as an intern assistant coach working with the running backs after wrapping his career in 2018, while Luke Bacon, a four-time NCAA FCS National Champion at North Dakota State, will work with the tight ends. Additionally, Trey Dill has been promoted to defensive coordinator after working with the defensive line the past eight years.

VETERAN LEADERSHIP As far as roster make-up goes, the Bulldogs return 14 seniors, 17 juniors, and 21 sophomores. A total of 18 redshirt freshmen will get their first taste of collegiate competition after training with UMD in their rookie year. The senior class is split right down the middle with six offensive position players, six on defense, and a pair of special teamers.

CAPTAIN IN COMMAND Senior defensive back Bill Atkins, senior linebacker Isaac Erdmann, senior defensive lineman Tom Johnson,  junior quarterback John Larson, and junior wide receiver Johnny McCormick will serve as the team captains this season for UMD.

RETURNING ALL-NSIC HONOREES An astounding total of 21 Bulldog players received All-NSIC honors following the undefeated 2018 season, and UMD returns 10 student athletes from the crop, led by First Team junior quarterback John Larson and senior linebacker Nate Pearson. UMD returns six Second Teamers in senior defensive back Bill Atkins, senior linebacker Isaac Erdmann, senior defensive lineman Tom Johnson, junior defensive back/kick returner Michael Kirkendoll, junior offensive lineman Noah LeBlanc, and sophomore running back Wade Sullivan. Additionally, two Bulldogs come back who received All-NSIC Honorable Mentions last season in junior defensive lineman Emmanuel Tetteh-Jada and sophomore running back Zach Ojile.

FIRST OF HIS KIND For the first time in league history, the NSIC honored the 2018 Assistant Coach of the Year with UMD's then-defensive coordinator John Steger taking home the honor. Steger was promoted to Associate Head Coach this season, ceding defensive coordinator duties while taking the reins of UMD's special teams and linebackers. 

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