As the University of Minnesota Duluth prepares for their first game since 2019, all eyes will be on the Bulldogs in the early going. UMD football has been ranked No. 1 in the NSIC North Preseason Coaches' Poll, the league office announced Tuesday morning. Additionally, senior quarterback John Larson has been named the North Division's Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. 
 
Within the NSIC North Division, Minnesota Duluth received a total of 36 votes, while garnering six first-place votes. Out of the entire fourteen team conference, UMD earned 144 votes to take second place behind Minnesota State. 
 
The ranking comes as no surprise to the Bulldogs. UMD has taken at least a share of the NSIC's North Division Championship for 12-consecutive seasons. Back in 2019, the Bulldogs notched an overall record of 8-3, while posting a perfect 7-0 record in NSIC North play.
 
For Larson, it's the second time that he's received the preseason honor. Prior to the 2019 campaign, Larson was also named the North Division's Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. During that season, the 6-1, 220-pound quarterback would dress in seven games, while throwing for an impressive 1,527 yards and 19 touchdowns. Larson returns to UMD as a 6th year QB for UMD, a four year starter, and a two-year captain. 

NSIC football will consist of 14 teams divided into two divisions (north/south). Concordia-St. Paul will move to the north division in 2021 as each team will play 11 conference games that will count towards the NSIC Overall Championship as well as six divisional games that will count towards the NSIC North/South Division Championships. In all, three league champions will be awarded (Overall Champion, North Division Champion, South Division Champion). Ties will not be broken for overall or division champions. The first four weeks will be cross divisional contests, with the final cross divisional contest taking place randomly during the remainder of the season.
 
UMD will open their 2021 schedule on Thursday, September 2, as they travel to Upper Iowa University to battle the Peacocks. On Saturday, September 11, the Bulldogs will host Minnesota State-Mankato in UMD's home opener. 
 
North Division                                Points
1.  Minnesota Duluth (6).................... 36
2.  Bemidji State (1)........................... 31
3.  Concordia-St. Paul........................ 26
4.  MSU Moorhead............................. 16
5.  Northern State ............................... 15
6.  University of Mary........................ 13
7.  Minot State ................................... 10           
                               first place votes in ( )
 
 Overall                                             Points
1. Minnesota State (12)..................... 168
2. Minnesota Duluth.......................... 144
3. Augustana (1)................................ 140
4. Sioux Falls..................................... 135
5. Winona State (1)............................ 126
6. Bemidji State ................................ 117
7. Concordia-St. Paul......................... 96
8. Northern State ................................ 75
9. MSU Moorhead.............................. 74
10. Wayne State ................................. 60
11. SMSU........................................... 46
12. Minot State .................................. 38
13. University of Mary....................... 28
14. Upper Iowa .................................. 27
                               first place votes in ( )         
 
South Division                                 Points
1.  Minnesota State (5)....................... 35
2.  Augustana (1)................................ 27
3.  Winona State (1)........................... 26
4.  Sioux Falls..................................... 26
5.  Wayne State ................................. 15
6.  SMSU............................................ 10
7.  Upper Iowa..................................... 8
                               first place votes in ( )
 
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