WELCOME BACK UMD Football is back and ready for their first game of the 2022 season. After their successful season last year the Bulldogs have been putting in the work this off season and are ready to take on Southwest Minnesota State for their home opener on Sept. 1.  
NATIONAL RECOGNITION Although the Bulldogs are not ranked in the top 25 preseason poll, they are on the list as receiving votes. The NSIC teams made quite the appearance this season in the poll as Bemidji St. and Augustana (S.D.) were ranked 22 and 25, respectively, and Minnesota St. was also on the list as receiving votes. The Bulldogs are set to play Bemidji State in week eight and Augustana in week 10. 
VETERAN LEADERSHIP With many of the Bulldogs coming back for their fifth year, the team has a great mix of old and new talent. Last season, the Bulldogs tallied 32.58 points per game and 392.2 yards per game. On the offensive side of the game, Armani Carmickle broke the all-time UMD record for receiving yards in a single season after notching 11 touchdowns,1,315 yards, and 67 receptions in 12 games. On defense, Brad Dati led the team in tackles with 51 solo and 41 assisted for 92 total tackles.  With the strong offense and defense, the team put up a 9-3 record and tied for first as conference champions. The veteran players had a successful season last year, and are ready to bring the heat again this year.
BRINGING THE HEAT The last time UMD played Southwest Minnesota State the Bulldogs put a W in their books after a 42-13 game. As this match-up will be UMD's first game of the season and first home opener, they are locked in and ready to bring the heat. Though the polls would suggest the Bulldogs are the favorite, UMD cannot take the Mustangs lightly.
POWER UPFRONT UMD offensive lineman Brent Laing was named to the 2023 Reese's Senior Bowl Watch list. This watch list is nothing new to Laing though, as he also appeared on the 2022 list. The 6-4, 294-pound Laing has been a powerhouse on the Bulldogs offensive front. Laing appeared in 32 games in his three seasons playing as a Bulldog. UMD's impressive offensive stats last season were due in large part to the work of Laing on the offensive line. 
STILL THE FAVORITE Last season UMD has claimed a share of the NSIC Championship title. In the preseason coach's poll, the team was ranked No. 3 overall and No. 2 in the North Division. In the divisional match-ups UMD will be faced with a few tough match-ups, including Bemidji State and Concordia St. Paul. 
BULLDOGS TO WATCH In the NSIC preseason poll, Brad Dati was named as the preseason Defenseman of the year. Dati has played two seasons with the Bulldogs where he has posted 110 total career tackles, from 66 solo and 44 assisted tackles. In 2021 he also tallied two interceptions. Along with defenseman of the year, he was named as UMD's defensive player to watch. Alongside Dati, Armani Carmickle was named UMD's offensive player to watch.
OH CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAIN This year UMD has named six as captains to lead the Bulldogs. The 2022 captains include Armani Carmickle, Brad Dati, Brent Laing, Cole Refsnider, Wade Sullivan and  two-time captain Zach Ojile. Between the six wearing the "C" there will be leadership on all sides of play. 
OUR LAST TIME OUT The last game day for the Bulldogs was Nov. 20 2021 in San Angelo, TX where they took on Angelo State in the first round of the NCAA playoffs. The Bulldogs put up a good effort in the postseason campaign but fell short 14-48. 
THREE'S A STREAK UMD finished the 2021 regular season on a three-game win-streak. The Bulldogs started the streak off with their victory against Minot State 34-21, followed by a major win against Augustana 41-15. Finishing off the win streak, the Bulldogs pulled out the win for their last game against Northern State 49-35. They finished their season off strong and hope to start the season off on a high note.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS The Mustangs are coming off a 2-9 season. The last winning season for SMSU was 2015 where they posted a 8-3 record, but the team is looking for change. They will be starting their red-shirt freshman Justus McComb as quarterback. Starting off as running back will be senior Jesse Sherwood. In his second season playing Sherwood posted 787 rushing yards last season. On defense, SMSU is starting a mix of new and veteran players. Senior Onte Burns will be one to put up a fight for our offense as he recorded 76 solo tackles last season. Alongside Burns, senior Alan Giron will be another veteran player that will put up a challenge for the Bulldogs. 
LET'S GO DANCING AGAIN The road to the NCAA Tournament birth begins on Thursday at home. After getting a taste of the tournament last year, UMD is locked in and ready to bring the heat. A win at the home opener would be the boost of confidence they need to have a successful season. 
CONFIDENCE IN THE MATCHUP Historically, the Bulldogs have controlled the series against Southwest Minnesota State, posting a 27-7-1 all-time record.