Behind a last-second touchdown and a combined quarterback performance from Logan Graetz and Garrett Olson, the No. 22 Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs defeated the MSU Moorhead Dragons 26-21 on Saturday afternoon. UMD improves to 4-1 on the season and 1-0 in NSIC North play. 

"That was the definition of a team win," said Head Coach Curt Wiese. "With our backs against the wall, we continued to compete. The Dragons are a well-coached team and we knew they would play us well. Our guys should be proud of this win."
 
In the game, Graetz secured his first career touchdown pass while Olson tallied his first touchdown pass of the season. Wide receiver Armani Carmickle posted two touchdowns, including a spectacular game-winning touchdown with just two seconds to play in the fourth quarter. Carmickle came into the game tied for third in the NSIC in both total receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. Chamere Thomas notched a career day, including a crucial 28-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter to tie the game. Byron Bynum noted multiple completions on the day, including a 10-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter.
 
On defense for Duluth, Nate Pearson led all Bulldogs with eight total tackles and 1.5 sacks, while Dan Monson chipped in a sack and six total tackles on the day. Senior Austin Kurylo tallied his second interception of the season, while Marcus Glodowski and Michael Kirkendoll each registered a pass breakup.
 
The first half would prove to be a defensive battle. After the Dragons won the toss and elected to defer, UMD would get the first possession of the game. On the first play of the game, Graetz hung in the pocket and found Carmickle for a 19-yard gain. For Graetz, the completion is the first of his college career. Though UMD pushed the ball all the way to their own 49-yard line, the Dragons defense would force a Bulldogs punt. 
 
A few possessions later, UMD would come up just short of a first down at the Moorhead 47-yard line. On the ensuing play, Bulldogs punter Logan Kobus launched a beautiful 41-yard punt to pin the Dragons at their own 6-yard line. After a solid series by the UMD defense, the Dragons would punt and give UMD an excellent starting field position at their own 45-yard line. On fourth down and six, Minnesota Duluth would use some trickier to keep their drive alive. Kobus received the snap, faked a punt, and found a wide-open Zach Ojile in the middle of the field for a first down and a gain of 18 yards to the Dragons 33-yard line. A few plays later, a UMD field goal attempt would be blocked, giving Moorhead possession within their own territory. The game remained scoreless after the first quarter of play. 
 
Early in the second quarter, the Dragons would strike. While in UMD territory, Moorhead quarterback Tommy Falk found a receiver open in the Bulldogs secondary for a 29-yard touchdown pass. The score came with 13:52 remaining in the quarter and gave Moorhead a 7-0 lead. 
 
On the ensuing drive, the Bulldogs offense was forced to punt. Moorhead would take possession at their own 35-yard line. On the first play of the drive, UMD defensive back Austin Kurylo jumped a route and made a beautiful interception to get Duluth the ball back. For Kurylo, the interception is his second of the year and third of his career. UMD took over at their own 30-yard line with 9:40 left in the second quarter. 
 
Neither team would threaten until late in the half. A big 10-yard sack from Justic'e King would force the Dragons to punt from their own 15-yard line, giving UMD starting field position at their own 46 with 1:57 remaining on the clock. Completions from Graetz to Carmickle and Bynum Byron set the Bulldogs up inside Moorhead's red zone. A 5-yard loss on third down forced the Bulldogs into a fourth and six situation with just under 20 seconds on the clock. UMD kicker Curtis Cox would push a 37-yard field goal wide right. The Dragons would take the 7-0 advantage to halftime. 
 
First-half stats favored the Bulldogs. Through the first two quarters, UMD posted 162 total yards to just 100 yards for Moorhead. Duluth also controlled the time of possession, holding the ball for a total of 20:17 to just 9:43 for the Dragons. Already with a 7-0 lead, Moorhead received the ball to start the second half.
 
Following a three-and-out from both sides, the Dragons would punt and pin the Bulldogs at their own 1-yard line. On first and ten from their own 1-yard line, UMD running back Chamere Thomas used his speed and athleticism to break free for a massive 71-yard run, the longest rush of his career. On the very next play, Olson hit Carmickle for a 28-yard touchdown pass. For Carmickle, the touchdown reception is his team-leading sixth of the season. For Olson, the touchdown pass is his first of the 2021 campaign. Following a missed extra point, Moorhead held a 7-6 advantage with 7:00 remaining in the third quarter. 
 
With 4:28 left in the third quarter, a Bulldogs interception would give the Dragons an opportunity to add to their lead. Moorhead took over at the UMD 13-yard line and used a 2-yard rushing touchdown to make the score 14-6. On the next Duluth possession, Olson hit Bynum twice for consecutive 13-yard pass receptions to love UMD down to the Moorhead 38-yard line. On first and ten, Thomas broke free again, this time notching a 38-yard rushing touchdown, the first of his Bulldog career. UMD would successfully complete a two-point conversion as Olson found Carmickle to tie the game at 14-14. The teams would head to the fourth quarter with the game nodded up. 
 
Moorhead started the fourth quarter by punting to the UMD 45-yard line. On that Bulldogs possession, Olson again hit Carmickle for an 11-yard gain and a first down. Back-to-back 5-yard runs by Thomas continued the Duluth drive. Now in the Dragons red zone, Olson found Bynum crossing through the end zone for a 10-yard touchdown pass. The touchdown is also Bynum's first of the season and gave UMD a 20-14 lead with 10 minutes remaining in regulation. 
 
A three-and-out for Moorhead gave the ball right back to the Bulldogs with just over eight minutes left to play. A nine-play drive would come up short for UMD on fourth down but would ultimately chew up five minutes of game clock. The Dragons took over at their own 19-yard line with just 3:40 left to play. A 25-yard pass would move the ball into UMD territory. A 46-yard touchdown pass down the right sideline gave the Dragons a 21-20 lead with just 2:10 left to play. On the first play of the Bulldog drive, Olson hit Bynum for a 49-yard gain to the Moorhead 21-yard line. A few plays later, with two seconds on the clock, Graetz found Carmickle in the corner of the end zone for a 6-yard game-winning touchdown. UMD took the win 26-21 over the Dragons. 

Up Next 
The Bulldogs travel to the University of Mary on Saturday, Oct. 9 for a 2:00 PM kick-off in North Dakota.