The No. 10 (AFCA) and No. 8 (D2Football.com) University of Minnesota Duluth football team fell short during a fourth-quarter comeback dashed via interception Saturday evening in Aberdeen, South Dakota, against Northern State University in a 34-31 loss.

Walljasper improved in the program's career rushing yards, moving to the No. 9 slot, overcoming Cory Veech's 2,904 yards with 2,961 yards. During the game, he totaled 105 net rushing yards (4.6 average yards per carry) with two rushing touchdowns. In the air, he threw for 226 yards but tallied his lowest completion percentage at 68.2% (15 completed of 22 attempts).

The Bulldogs began the game with an opening drive of 75 yards. Walljasper connected with Chuck Gilbert III on an 18-yard pass after dodging a sack for the game's first touchdown. Drew Henson sent the first extra point in to make a 7-0 lead with 10 minutes to go in the first quarter.

This was the last time in the first quarter that UMD would find the end zone, as the following two drives by the Wolves culminated in a ten-point retaliation with a field goal drive and a touchdown drive.

The second quarter began with an NSU score advantage of 10-7. The Bulldog defense would halt their first drive with a sack by Tyrone McCoy to force a turnover on downs at the Wolves' 37-yard line. NSU managed to halt the offense to a field goal at the 15-yard line for a 10-10 score.

The Wolves ground down the Bulldog defense for a field goal on the following drive. UMD then handed the ball back to NSU after a 51-yard drive that ended with a fumble by Francis O'Malley, allowing a return of 63 yards by Tasean Young Jr. The Wolves finished the drive with a touchdown to jump ahead 20-10 with 46 seconds left before halftime. The Bulldogs were unable to score on the following drive and started the second half on defense.

The defense halted the Wolves' first drive of the half to give the offense another successful touchdown drive with a Walljasper rushing touchdown, marking the team down by three points. The Bulldogs again stuffed the Wolves' offensive effort, but a muffed punt by Catcher Langeness gave the ball right back to NSU at the UMD 18-yard line. NSU would score to bring back the ten-point lead over the Bulldogs.

On the next drive, the offense again found a rhythm to score another touchdown with help from a 40-yard pass from Walljasper to DaShaun Ames to bring them within scoring distance. Walljasper finished the drive off with his second rushing touchdown of the day to set the score at 27-24 in NSU's favor.

It took until under a minute remained in the third quarter, but the Wolves found room to bring back their ten-point lead with another touchdown.

The first drive on each side beginning the fourth would sputter until under two minutes remained when Walljasper threw a 29-yard pass to Ben Fritsch to set up the offense at the four-yard line. Luke Dehnicke got the job done with another pass from Walljasper to push back within three points with another extra point kick from Henson.

With 1:35 left on the clock, Jadon Apgar sent a perfectly executed onside kick to give the Bulldog offense a chance from midfield. However, the chance would be dashed two plays later when Young Jr. intercepted Walljasper to end the game at 34-31.

The receiving core was led by Ames, with five catches for 83 yards total (16.6 average). Following close behind was Ryder Patterson with five catches for 67 yards (13.4 average), and he followed Walljasper in rushing yards with 50 yards gained. Gilbert III and Dehnicke split the two receiving touchdowns.

On defense, Walrath earned the most tackles with a career high of eight (four solo and four assisted), with McCoy and Alex Sylvester earning above five tackles. McCoy earned his first Bulldog sack for a loss of nine yards while Brock Unger tallied a broken-up pass.

The Bulldogs have a week off before facing the University of Mary at James S. Malosky Stadium on October 25^th.

BULLDOG NOTES: Walljasper moved to No. 9 in career rushing yards… Walljasper's second 100+ rushing yard game (121 yards, Sioux Falls)…First loss since week seven of 2024 (Sioux Falls, 24-21)… second straight loss against Northern State (overall 29-13 since 1980)… most points allowed since week nine of 2024.