UMD Football Making Final Preparations Ahead of TCO Opener

UMD sure knows how to start the season off right in recent years as they've won their last five openers.

DULUTH, Minn.- We are just two days away from kickoff of another UMD football season.

However this year, they’ll start with not your ordinary opener.

It’s the Bulldogs versus the Warriors of Winona State under the lights at TCO Stadium in Eagan.

The contest marks the first-time that an NCAA game will take placeat the headquarters of the Vikings.

UMD sure knows how to start the season off right in recent years as they’ve won their last five openers.

Head Coach Curt Wiese says it comes down to the little things in order to make it six.

“It’s sideline adjustments. It’s being able to take a deep breath, play after play. Our theme this year is one play at a time. That’s what week one is about, being able to adjust, play hard, play focused. We’re going to make mistakes on Thursday night. But, being able to rebound from those will be very important in week one,” said Wiese.

The Bulldogs and Warriors last met in November of 2024. Running back Derrick Johnson was a part of group that ran for over 330 yards in UMD’s 42 to 38 victory.

“One thing that always stuck with me was how physical they were. I thought our coaches did a good job during fall camp of just emphasizing that week one is going to be a fight. If we want to win that game, we’re going to have to bring a fight too,” added Johnson.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 PM on Thursday night.