HUDDLE UP After stumbling for just the second time this season, the University of Minnesota Duluth football program returns to Malosky Stadium to start its final home stand in Duluth. The Bulldogs host Upper Iowa University for the team's final cross-divisional match-up with a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) South foe. Opening kick is set for just after 1 p.m. broadcasting live on My9 Sports Network and KDAL 610 AM/103.9 FM.

LAST TIME OUT UMD could not get its offense started on Saturday against a stifling Sioux Falls defense, falling 34-3. The Cougars held the Bulldogs to a season-low 133 yards of total offense, including just six yards on the ground from a team that averages over 150 yards on the ground this season. USF turned UMD over on downs twice and snagged a pair of interceptions, while the Bulldogs produced their only points on a Dan Branger field goal after a muffed punt return by the Cougars.

BULLDOGS (NOT) IN THE POLLS UMD stands among the teams receiving votes just outside the top-25 in this week's American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) II Coaches Poll. The Bulldogs have been in the top 25 of each poll the last two seasons since ranking among the teams receiving votes outside the top-25 in the 2018 Preseason Poll. Monday marks the first time the Bulldogs were not ranked in 435 days.

NCAA SUPERLATIVES Despite a defeat last weekend, UMD's defense remains among the top-ranked in the nation in several key categories. The Bulldogs have allowed 112 first downs this season, an average of 16.0 per game, good for no. 40 nationally. UMD also ranks no. 12 with opposing quarterbacks held to a 97.56 passer rating, no. 15 with just 153.4 passing yards allowed per game, no. 23 averaging 8.3 tackles per loss and no. 26 with 2.71 sacks,  no. 42 with 20.1 points allowed per game, and no. 49 with eight interceptions. Overall, the team ranks no. 27 for total defense, allowing 292.1 yards per game.

Special teams have also stood the test of time for the Bulldogs this season. Only six teams have more blocked kicks this season than UMD's five and only one more than their three blocked punts. The team also ranks no. 19 allowing an average of 3.36 yards per punt return this season, while its returners rank no. 20 at 14.63.

Offensively, the Bulldogs rank in the top half of the nation in rushing, no. 77 at 156.3 yards per game. Individually, John Larson's presence has been missed the last two games as he ranks no. 72 in passing touchdowns with nine and no. 98 in points responsible for with 62 despite missing the last two games. Wade Sullivan's five rushing touchdowns are good for no. 83 nationally

Nate Pearson leads the Bulldog defense and ranks no. 16 nationally averaging 1.0 sack per game. Pearson's  .4 tackles for loss per game rank no. 46 nationally while teammate Cole Refsnider ranks no. 76 at 1.2 per game.

AGAINST THE COMPETITION Upper Iowa has shown an ability to play the Bulldogs tight, particularly in recent seasons, but in the all-time series dating back to 2004, UMD has out-scored the Peacocks 257-113 and owns a 7-0 all-time record over Upper Iowa. Head coach Curt Wiese owns those last three victories, including a 33-21 victory in Fayette last time out back in 2017.

LAST MEETING Then in his freshman campaign, quarterback John Larson led the Bulldog offense to the win over the Peacocks last time out, going 5-for-9 with 103 yards and a touchdown through the air while also rushing nine times. Among returners, Obi Ibeneme had one reception for 11 yards, Justic'e King made three tackles, and Bill Atkins a pair against Upper Iowa. Dan Branger went 2-for-3 on field goal attempts, while Cameron Hausman averaged 38.4 yards on seven punts.

TWICE BITTEN, RARELY SHY Two conference defeats has historically been a rarity for the Bulldogs in the NSIC. UMD has suffered a pair of defeats against league foes in just four seasons since rejoining the NSIC in 2008 and never taken three losses in conference play over that span. The last time the Bulldogs finished a season with three or more defeats against NSIC competition was 2003. 

DEFENSE WINS... 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 UMD currently ranks third in the NSIC in scoring offense (27.6 PPG) and seventh in total scoring defense (20.1) as well as sixth in the NSIC in offensive yardage (348.4 per game) and fifth in defensive yards allowed (292.7) ...  John Larson ranks tenth in the NSIC averaging 59.4 rushing yards per game, while Wade Sullivan is no. 17 with 47.0 ... Larson also ranks in the top ten, no. 7, averaging 182.8 passing yards per game ... Sullivan's six touchdowns this season are the fifth-highest total in the conference ... Nate Pearson ranks sixth in the NSIC with 50 tackles for loss, an average of 1.36 per game.

HALFTIME ADJUSTMENTS UMD's defense has allowed points in the second half of just 3-of-7 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 125-38 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-82 games. Only one other NCAA II head coach—Colorado State-Pueblo's John Wristen (71)—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 104- 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. 

UMD returns to Malosky Stadium for its final home outings of the season beginning Saturday hosting Upper Iowa University (1-6, 1-4 NSIC South). Opening kick is set for just after 1 p.m. broadcasting live on the My9 Sports Network and umdbulldogs.com/watch. The game can also be heard locally on KDAL 610 AM/103.9 FM and streaming live on kdal610.com. 

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