HUDDLE UP The No. 13-ranked University of Minnesota Duluth football program returns home after a week on the road to play host to its fiercest rival in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference's North Division, St. Cloud State University (R.V.), at Malosky Stadium in Duluth. Opening kick is set for just after 6 p.m. broadcasting live locally on the My9 Sports Network and 102.5 The DUKE FM.

LAST TIME OUT Trailing 20-13 at the half, the Bulldogs kicked into a higher gear out of the locker room with three consecutive, three-play scoring drives to start the second half en route to 35 unanswered points in the second half, knocking off Minnesota State University Moorhead 48-20 on Saturday night at Scheels Field in Moorhead. 

GETTING OFFENSIVE The NSIC tabbed junior quarterback John Larson for his second career Offensive Player of the Week honor on Monday. Despite being relieved in the fourth quarter, but not before finishing his day 17-of-24 with three touchdowns and one interception, collecting 252 yards through the air while also rushing 12 times for 104 yards and a score on the ground.

WE'RE GOIN' STREAKING! UMD's victory over MSU Moorhead extended its NSIC winning streak to 22-straight games, dating back to Sept. 16, 2017.

BULLDOGS IN THE POLLS UMD held steady in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) II Coaches Poll released on Monday, remaining No. 13 for the second straight week. The Bulldogs did, however, gain ground, now with 401 total points. Valdosta (Ga.) State University remains the top-ranked team in the nation. No. 3 Minnesota State University tops three NSIC teams in this week's poll, with St. Cloud State among the teams receiving votes just outside the top 25.

NCAA SUPERLATIVES The Bulldogs have scored 100 combined points in their first two games, ranking fourth nationally in scoring (50.0 points per game) as well as total offensive yards (571.0 yards). UMD has stood tall on the line without allowing a sack through two games, one of just 17 teams in the country to accomplish that feat. The Bulldogs' 50 first downs rank 13th in the country and the team's 61.9 percent conversion rate on third down ranks no. 3 in NCAA II. 

Defensively, UMD ranks no. 18 allowing just 24 first downs this season and ninth in red zone defense at 50.0 percent. Opponents have averaged just 54.0 rushing yards against the Bulldogs, the 18th fewest yards in the nation. UMD has 10.0 tackles for loss already this season, ranking no. 11 in the country.

Individually, Larson ranks fifth nationally, responsible for 44 points through two games, and seventh in the nation with his six passing touchdowns. His 179.6 passer rating ranks 12th in NCAA II, and he ranks in the top 50 (no. 41) with his 181 rushing yards. His 356.0 yards rank sixth in the country. Sophomore running back Wade Sullivan ranks fifth in the nation with his four touchdowns. Averaging more than a sack per game (1.25), junior linebacker Nate Pearson ranks no. 19 in the country. Junior wide receiver Quincy Woods ranks no. 10 with his three receiving touchdowns.

BATTLE FOR THE BONE For the past two seasons, UMD and St. Cloud State have faced off in the Battle of the Bone, a traveling trophy which, to this point, has not left the Bulldogs' possession with a 41-17 road victory in 2018 and a 34-21 win at Malosky Stadium two years ago. Curt Wiese is 6-0 in his career against St. Cloud State. The Huskies' last victory in the series came in 2012, a 51-49 shootout in St. Cloud. To that point, SCSU had a 24-21-0 lead in the head-to-head series.

LAST MEETING Last season's Battle for the Bone saw UMD cruise to a 41-17 victory on the road. The Bulldogs held the ball offensively for over 38 minutes. John Larson finished 16-for-27 with two TDs through the air and another on the ground. Wade Sullivan needed just 40 total rushing yards to score a air of touchdowns for UMD.

MILITARY MOTIVATION UMD  welcomes retired U.S. Army Four-Star General Joseph L. Votel, who most recently served as the Commander of the U.S. Central Command, responsible for U.S. and coalition military operations in the Middle East, Levant and Central and South Asia, to speak to the team ahead of Saturday night's Military Appreciation game. Additionally, the Bulldogs will each wear unique helmet stickers commemorating military veterans. As with past Military Appreciation days, UMD teams with local military organizations to raise money and awareness for Operation One Voice, a program designed to generate funds to help support the immediate needs of children and families of wounded and fallen Special Operations Forces.

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. 

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.

NO PLACE LIKE HOME Going back to the 2008 opener, the Bulldogs are 56-7 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 100- 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 87 contests ago (28-0 to St. Cloud State on Nov. 6, 2004).

COACHING DOMINANCE Since taking over the Bulldog program five years ago, Curt Wiese has won 65-of-77 games. Only one other NCAA II head coach—Colorado State-Pueblo's John Wristen (67)—has accumulated more victories during that stretch.

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.

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.

THESE 'DOGS HAD THEIR DAY A total of 21 Bulldogs received some kind of All-NSIC North Division recognition in 2018. Headlining the list of honorees was center Jason Anderson (2017, 2018) and nose tackle Dre Greer (2016, 2018), who both earned All-NSIC North Division first team status for the second time in their respective careers, as well as Matt Juneau, a four-time All-NSIC North Division offensive tackle (first team in 2018, second team in 2015-16 and honorable mention last fall). Accompanying that senior trio on the 27-member All-NSIC North Division first team were six other Bulldogs -- senior cornerback Tareq Abulebbeh, senior linebacker Alex Helmer, sophomore quarterback John Larson, senior strong safety Sam Lynch, sophomore linebacker Nate Pearson and senior offensive tackle Trapper Ward. UMD placed another nine players on the second team, including junior free safety Bill Atkins, junior linebacker Isaac Erdmann, junior defensive end Tom Johnson, sophomore offensive guard Noah LeBlanc, sophomore cornerback Michael Kirkendoll, senior wide out Nate Ricci, redshirt freshman running back Wade Sullivan, senior linebacker Gus Wedig and senior offensive guard Joe Yernatich.  In addition, honorable mention recognition was secured by senior tight end Tyler Lattery, redshirt freshman tight end Zach Ojile and sophomore defensive end Emmanuel Tetteh-Jada.

AND THIS 'DOG DID, TOO John Steger, who wrapped his 18th season with UMD in 2018, was named the NSIC Assistant Coach of the Year, an award that debuted last season. This year, Steger has been promoted to Associate Head Coach and taken over duties overseeing the special teams.

UMD ALL-AMERICANS The Bulldogs boasted four All-American honorees last season, including a Football Gazette First Team selection in linebacker Alex Helmer. Offensive lineman Matt Juneau earned Second Team honors from the AFCA, while the Football Gazette named linemates Jason Anderson and Trapper Ward among its Honorable Mentions. 

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