The No. 12 (AFCA) and No. 20 (D2Football.com) ranked University of Minnesota Duluth football team is heading on the road to face Slippery Rock University in Week 0 of the 2026 Season. The game will be at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium on Thursday with kick off set for 5:00 p.m.

UNDISPUTED NSIC CHAMPIONS: The 2025 regular-season finale win marked the program's regular-season conference record at 9-1 to give the team its first unshared title since the 2012 season. This is also their first undisputed North Division title since the 2019 season. This marks the program's 11th unshared overall title (1934, 1937, 1980, 1985, 1996, 2002, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, and now 2025) and 11th unshared North Division title (2008, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and now 2025). This also marks head coach Curt Wiese's eighth North Division title and fourth overall title since taking over the program in 2013.

IN THE RANKINGS: The Bulldogs were recognized as the No. 12 team in the American Football Coaches Association's (AFCA) national rankings to start the season. The Bulldogs finished 16th in the AFCA rankings in 2025.

UMD IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT: UMD made its 13th historic appearance in the NCAA II Tournament last year, with the first match occurring all the way back in 2002 (2002, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2021, and now 2025).

In the last two decades, the Bulldogs have earned two of the coveted NCAA II Championship titles, with one in 2008 and one in 2010.

WIESE'S BULLDOGS IN THE NCAA: Wiese's Bulldogs have claimed an overall 2-4 record in the first round and have gone 3-6 overall. His first-round wins came in the 2013 and 2014 postseasons. In those victories, the Bulldogs scored a combined 80 points (55 in 2013 and 25 in 2014) while only allowing 34 points. Both wins were powered by strong rushing efforts from the quarterback, Drew Bauer, with two over 100-yard games (173 yds in 2013 and 131 yds in 2014).

Overall, the Wiese Bulldogs have scored a combined 230 points in postseason action while allowing 340 points across nine games.

In Wiese's three postseason victories, the Bulldogs combined for 890 yards rushing (476, 2013 / 414, 2014) and 442 passing yards (35, 2013 / 408, 2014).

Under his leadership, by the end of the 2018 run, the Bulldogs were statistical champions in total defense (205.7 yds/g), rushing defense (59.2 yds/g), and third-down conversion defense (0.225).

RETURNING EXPERIENCE: The Bulldogs are bringing back several key returners for the 2026 Season. Allen Pearson Jr., Ross Rivord, Carter Geerts, Preston McQueen, Jonathan Shrum, Joey Krouse, and Nick Ojile are some of the key returners for the Bulldogs.

In individual awards, Head Coach Curt Wiese earned his first NSIC Coach of the Year award and Chase Vogler earning the NSIC Assistant Coach of the Year award. In all, an NSIC high 13 UMD football players were named to the 2025 NSIC All-Conference Teams.

NSIC Postseason Honors: In his 12th season as head coach of UMD football, Wiese earns his first NSIC Coach of the Year award after leading the Bulldogs to their 22nd NSIC Championship title and 13th North Division title. He marks his eighth North Division and fourth overall title at the helm of UMD football. The Wiese' Bulldogs completed the regular season 10-1 overall while earning a 9-1 record in NSIC action and will make their sixth appearance in the NCAA postseason under Wiese. Overall, he coached UMD to finish the regular season as the leaders in scoring offense in the NSIC.

Vogler earns his first NSIC Assistant Coach of the Year award in his seventh season after helping coach the Bulldogs to a 9-1 finish in conference competition (10-2 overall). His offense finished the regular season as the top-scoring offense in the NSIC with 40.3 average points per game. He coached five All-NSIC offensive performances this season, and his scoring offense ranked seventh in the nation.

A redshirt freshman from Andover, Minn., Luke Dehnicke earned both the coveted Offensive Newcomer of the Year award and a First Team All-Conference selection. In a breakout year, Dehnicke led the NSIC in the receiving category with 97.6 average yards per game and 14 touchdowns. He also reached the 1,000-yard career receiving mark as a redshirt freshman (has totaled 1,074 yards and is trailing the program's single-season record of 1,201). Heading into national competition, he currently ranks second in the NCAA for receiving yards (1,074), third in receiving yards per game (97.6), and third in receiving touchdowns (14).

The eight First Team All-NSIC selections were Dehnicke, offensive lineman Carter Geerts, offensive lineman Tait Kongsjord, defensive lineman Mojo Weerts, defensive back Jonathan Shrum, defensive back Preston McQueen, linebacker Alex Sylvester, and kicker Drew Henson. The Bulldogs earned five Second Team All-NSIC honors, including wide receiver DaShaun Ames, quarterback Kyle Walljasper, defensive lineman Allen Pearson Jr., defensive back Joey Krouse, and linebacker Ross Rivord.

Carter Geerts, a redshirt sophomore from Rochester, Minn., makes his all-conference debut after keeping the pressure off Walljasper through all 11 regular-season matchups. As an anchor on the line, his effort has enabled the offense to rank seventh in the country in scoring and second in passing efficiency.

Tait Kongsjord, a redshirt junior from Talmoon, Minn., earns his first all-conference first team selection after fending off pressure on the line in all 11 games. Kongsjord and the offensive line have enabled the offense to rank seventh in the country in scoring and second in passing efficiency.

Mojo Weerts, a senior team captain from Batavia, Ill., earns his second career all-conference selection after leading the NSIC in sacks with a .65 average per game. Overall, Weerts combined for 33 total tackles (19 solo), 52 yards lost in nine tackles, and totaled 6.5 sacks for a loss of 45 yards in 10 games.

Jonathan Shrum, a redshirt sophomore from Farmington, Minn., earns his first and second career all-conference selection for both defense and special teams. Throughout all 11 games, he has combined for 31 total tackles (24 solo) with two tackles for a loss of five yards and one interception with three passes broken up. In kick returns, he completed the regular season in second place in the NSIC with an average of 29 yards. He also earned the coveted NSIC Player of the Week award for special teams.

Preston McQueen, a redshirt sophomore from Henderson, Nev., the defensive back earned his second all-conference selection after 28 total tackles (25 solo) with a tackle and a sack for a loss of seven yards. He also picked off opposing quarterbacks twice, with one returning for a gain of 27 yards.

Alex Sylvester, a redshirt senior from Green Bay, Wis., the defensive back and team captain, earned 40 total tackles (30 solo) with 1.5 tackles for a loss of 10 yards. He also tallied one sack for a loss of eight yards, recovered one fumble, broke up two passes, and grabbed two interceptions, with one gaining four yards.

Drew Henson, a redshirt sophomore from Owatonna, Minn., the kicker and punter hit the team's longest field goal of the year at 52 yards, which fell five yards short of the program record. Earlier in 2025, he nabbed his first career NSIC Player of the Week award for his efforts on special teams. By the end of the regular season, he had attempted seven field goals, making five of them, and sent 15 punts in the air for 618 yards total, with seven going within the 20-yard line. He also put one punt in the air that went over the 50-yard mark and took three kickoffs for 91 yards.

DaShaun Ames, a team captain redshirt senior from Cumberland, Wis., was awarded his second career all-conference selection. The wide receiver earns the honor after earning 238 yards in 23 receptions. He scored two touchdowns and took seven kick returns for a combined 151 yards.

Kyle Walljasper, a team captain redshirt senior out of Fond du Lac, Wis., earned his third all-conference selection. Throughout the year, he has held top spots in the NSIC's statistical categories, and by the end of the regular season is still the most efficient quarterback in the NSIC (189.2). This past season, he threw career highs in passing yards (2,176) and touchdowns (26) while also rushing for 831 yards with 16 touchdowns on his legs.

Allen Pearson Jr., a redshirt sophomore from Maplewood, Minn., gained his first career all-conference selection. As a defensive lineman, he has held the line through 11 games, earning 33 total tackles (12 solo), forcing five tackles for a loss of 19 yards, and earning 2.5 sacks for a loss of 16 yards.

Joey Krouse, a redshirt sophomore from Savage, Minn., the defensive back earns his first all-conference selection after totaling 45 tackles (36 solo). Four of his tackles resulted in a total loss of 12 yards while breaking up four passes. He also forced one fumble and recovered two fumbles with a gain of two yards. Two of his three interceptions were returned for over 39 yards for a total of 90 yards.

Ross Rivord, as a redshirt junior linebacker out of Superior, Wis., totaled 39 tackles (24 solo). 6.5 tackles resulted in a total loss of 15 yards, while he also broke out to the quarterback 1.5 times for a loss of eight yards.

Bulldog Notes:

Slippery Rock: UMD takes on Slippery Rock for the first time in program history. Slippery Rock finished 6-4 in the regular season after having reached the NCAA National Semifinals in the 2024 campaign. The Rock returns two players on the PSAC Western Division Second-Team All-Defense; Trevor Valenti, and Teddy Gregory Jr..

The Rock will look to their Running Back JayJay Jordan to drive their offense. The Senior from Reading, Pennsylvania was eighth in rushing yards in D-II last season, totaling 1375 yards on the gridiron.

Slippery Rock are expected to have a bounce-back year, picked second in the PSAC West, just behind Indiana (P.A.) in the rankings.

The Rock are no strangers to success, having made 12 NCAA Tournament appearances (15th amongst current D-II members). Head Coach Shawn Lutz has guided Slippery Rock to four National Quarterfinals and two National Semifinals, and has won five PSAC West titles.

New Captains for the Bulldogs: UMD has six captains this season, Carter Geerts, Preston McQueen, Nick Ojile, Ryder Patterson, Ross Rivord, and Jonathan Shrum.

SECOND WINNINGEST UMD FOOTBALL COACH: Curt Wiese enters his 13th season at the helm of UMD (15th career season). Wiese commands a dominant 114-29 record with an impressive two perfect 11-0 seasons, eight NSIC North Division titles, four NSIC championship victories, and six National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II playoff appearances. Last season, he earned his way to becoming the second-winningest coach in UMD football history behind Hall of Fame coach Jim Malosky.

Bulldogs Look to Keep Season Opening Streak: The Bulldogs have won their past seven opening games, having last lost one to Sioux Falls in 2017. Slippery Rock will look to defend one of their own, as they have won sixteen consecutive season openers, with their last loss happening against Seton Hill in 2008.

Unfamiliar Foes: The Bulldogs haven't seen much action against PSAC opponents in their history. Their only PSAC matchup so far was their National Semifinal win against California (P.A.) in 2008. Slippery Rock likewise has little experience with NSIC opponents, as their last matchup was a loss to Minnesota State, Mankato in the 2019 National Quarterfinal.

Returning NSIC Players of the Week: Jonathan Shrum earned UMD's first 2025 NSIC Player of the Week selection off of his Special Teams performance against CSP, with his 90-yard kick return touchdown (Totaled 111 kick return yards).

Jadon Apgar earned his first-ever weekly award for special teams as a freshman kicker after helping lift a 17-14 victory over the then-ranked No. 7 Minnesota State. He went three for three in field goals in a match that was decided by his kick in the final second of the game.

Drew Henson earned his first career special teams weekly award after sending two long field goals in to help the team lift a 28-14 win over the Minnesota State University Moorhead. He nearly met the UMD program record (57 yards) for the longest field goal with his kick of 52 yards. On top of that, he nailed a 40-yard field goal and two extra points for a total of eight points of the Bulldogs' 28-point day. He also kept the Dragons' offense pinned with four punts that averaged 39.5 yards each and set them behind the 20-yard line twice. In total, he punted 158 yards in his best performance in his career.