A Milestone Season for the Bulldogs
The University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) football program enters a historic week as the No. 12 team in the AFCA national rankings prepares to host Slippery Rock University in their first-ever meeting Thursday at 5:00 p.m. at Mihalik‑Thompson Stadium.
Head coach Curt Wiese, now in his thirteenth season, celebrated his eighth North Division title and fourth overall conference championship, a testament to sustained excellence since his arrival in 2013.
The Bulldogs finished the regular season with a 10‑1 record, highlighted by a 9‑1 mark in the North Suburban Athletic Conference (NSIC) and a seventh straight opening‑game victory that underscores their early‑season dominance.
Key Performers and Returning Talent
Standout players include senior wide receiver Dehnicke, who led the NSIC with 97.6 receiving yards per game and 14 touchdowns, and defensive end Mojo Weerts, who topped the conference with a .65 sacks per game average in 2025.
Junior quarterback Drew Bauer, who guided the Bulldogs to two NCAA postseason appearances in 2013 and 2014, returns to lead an offense that ranked seventh nationally in scoring and second in passing efficiency last season.
Defensive standouts such as Alex Sylvester, Joey Krouse and Nick Ojile anchor a unit that earned multiple All‑Defense honors, while special‑teams ace Jonathan Shrum was recognized as NSIC Player of the Week after a 90‑yard kickoff return touchdown.
Opponent Outlook
Slippery Rock, under the guidance of veteran coach Shawn Lutz, seeks to rebound after a second‑place finish in the PSAC West and aims to extend a 16‑game streak of opening‑game wins that dates back several seasons.
The Rock’s defense returns two PSAC Western Division Second‑Team All‑Defense selections, giving the team a foundation to improve on a 2025 campaign that saw them fall short of the National Quarterfinals.
Both programs will showcase a blend of experienced returnees and fresh talent, with UMD’s roster featuring players such as Allen Pearson Jr., Carter Geerts, Preston McQueen and DaShaun Ames, all of whom contributed to the Bulldogs’ 11th unshared North Division title in 2025.
The upcoming matchup not only marks a first‑ever meeting but also serves as a potential launchpad for UMD’s postseason aspirations, as the Bulldogs eye a sixth NCAA tournament appearance under Wiese and a chance to climb higher in the AFCA rankings.