UMD Football Continuing Playoff Push with Bout Against Bemidji State

UMD has lost their last three meetings against the Beavers and their last win came in 2019.

DULUTH, Minn.- The UMD football team continues to make a strong case for a spot in the NCAA tournament.

After defeating Jamestown 45 to 29 this past Saturday, the Bulldogs earned their highest NCAA D2 Super Region III Ranking since 2018 by placing 6th.

If they want to keep their strong postseason stance, they’ll have to handle business the rest of the way and that begins against Bemidji State this upcoming Saturday.

UMD has lost their last three meetings against the Beavers and their last win came in 2019.

Head Coach Curt Wiese says he isn’t looking at Bemidji’s record, adding it’s playoff-like games the rest of the way.

“They’ve struggled early in the season but they’ve played really well the last four games here. So, it’s a good football team that I think offensively they mix things with their quarterback play. They’re going to do cute run stuff. They’re going to do different quarterbacks in the backfield. Defensively, they’re a team has given us fits in the past. So for us, the message to our guys are we’re in the playoffs right now. These are must win football games for us and we need to take each game like it,” said Wiese.

UMD received a boost from freshman running back Zach Welch this past weekend as he had 141 rushing yards to lead the Bulldogs. He’s hoping for a repeat performance again against the Beavers.

“Keeping our attention to detail, keeping our guys motivated and staying in the film, staying in the playbook, knowing what you’re supposed to do. I know I had a good game but I can’t get complacent with that. I have to bring the same effort, attitude that I had in practice that I did last week and hopefully the same or even better,” said Welch.

UMD will salute their 15 seniors ahead of Saturday’s contest. Kick-off is at noon.