For the sixth time in Curt Wiese‘s Bulldog career and 13th time as a program, the University of Minnesota Duluth football team competes in the NCAA II postseason this Saturday in Ashland, Ohio. The matchup is set between hosting school No. 18 (AFCA) Ashland University and the visiting No. 7 (AFCA) Bulldogs inside Jack Miller Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 1:00 p.m. EST.
IN THE RANKINGS: This past Monday, the Bulldogs were recognized as the No. 7 team in the American Football Coaches Association’s (AFCA) national rankings. Moving up from the No. 11 spot, the last time the Bulldogs were ranked as high in the pre-tournament rankings was the 2018 season, where they were selected No. 5 before the first round.
When they entered the rankings earlier in the year, it marked the first time the team was ranked by the AFCA since week one of the poll last season, where they ranked No. 19.
UMD IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT: UMD heads to its 13th historic appearance in the NCAA II Tournament, 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 2-3 record in the first round and have gone 3-5 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 223 points in postseason action while allowing 308 points across eight 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 return with eight redshirt seniors who were on the roster for the 2021 season. Joey Grillo, Jake Raines, Gavin Skelton, Luke Humbert, Tyler Collien, Alex Sylvester, Kyle Walljasper, and DaShaun Ames all were understudying the last postseason crew.
LAST TIME OUT: The No. 23 Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs fell to Angelo State in the NCAA D2 Championship by a score of 48-14 on a Saturday afternoon in San Angelo, TX. Despite countless injuries to key players throughout the season, UMD finished the year with a 9-3 overall record and an appearance in the football championship.
Senior running back Cazz Martin posted a team-high 65 yards on the ground, while Wade Sullivan shipped in 59 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown. In the air, wide receiver Armani Carmickle ended his season with a 101-yard performance. Quarterbacks John Larson and Garrett Olson both saw action during Saturday’s game with Larson getting the start for the Bulldogs. Additionally, redshirt junior wide receiver Byron Bynum tallied a 94-yard kick return touchdown.
On the defensive side of the ball, Brad Dati and Marcus Glodowski led the way with eight tackles each, while Dati added two tackles for loss and one sack. Nathan Bursch notched six total tackles and two tackles for loss during Saturday’s loss. Additionally, senior linebacker Nate Pearson finishes his career with the second most (27) sacks in UMD football history.
On the opening kickoff, Angelo State’s Alfred Grear would post a 102-yard return to give the Rams a 7-0 advantage just thirteen seconds into the game. On the first play of UMD’s ensuing possession, Larson found Carmickle streaking down the right sideline for a massive 33-yard gain. Following the big play, the Bulldogs drive would stall, forcing a punt. Angelo State would begin their drive at the 20-yard line after a touchback. On the fourth play of the ASU drive, Rams quarterback Zach Bronkhurst would break free for a 69-yard touchdown run. The score gave Angelo St. a 14-0 lead just five minutes into the contest.
Following punts from both offenses, UMD took possession at their own 30-yard line. A sweep to the right gave Johnny McCormick a six-yard run to get the drive started. Eleven and nine-yard gains from Cazz Martin would then move the Bulldogs into Angelo St. territory. Faced with a third and six, UMD couldn’t convert, handing the ball back to Angelo St. A four-play 80-yard drive would result in a Ram touchdown, extending their lead to 21-0 with 3:56 remaining in the first quarter. Following a UMD three-and-out, the Rams would add another score just five seconds into the second quarter. A 12-yard touchdown pass made the score 28-0 in favor of Angelo State.
On their next drive, while faced with a fourth and ten from their own 25-yard line, the Bulldogs attempted a fake punt. Linebacker Nate Pearson would take the snap and be stopped just short of the first down marker, giving the ball back to Angelo St. inside Bulldog territory. On the drive, a tackle for loss from Nathan Bursch helped UMD to a defensive stop, forcing a 36-yard Rams field goal. The score gave Angelo State a 31-0 lead with 11:19 remaining in the first half. The Rams would add another score just two minutes later, making the score 38-0 midway through the second quarter. UMD took over at their own 25-yard line and put together a solid drive. An eight-yard run from Martin, followed by an eleven-yard rush from Wade Sullivan moved the Bulldogs down to the Angelo St. 39-yard line. Faced with a fourth and nine from the Rams 42-yard line, Minnesota Duluth would come up short. Angelo State added another touchdown before the end of the second and took a 41-0 lead into the half.
The teams would trade possession through the third quarter until Angelo St. found themselves in field goal range. On a 41-yard field goal attempt, Austin Kurylo leaped high and swatted the ball down towards the Rams endzone. Jackyse Jacox recovered the loose ball and turned in a 26-yard return down to the ASU 34-yard line. Later in the quarter, on a third down and 18, Dan Monson sacked Rams quarterback Zach Bronkhurst for a loss of 6 yards, forcing an Angelo St. punt. On the ensuing UMD possession, a 14-yard run from Sullivan got the drive started. Olson then hit Carmickle for a big 30-yard gain to the ASU 30-yard line. Sullivan runs of nine, seven, and five yards gave the Bulldogs a first and goal opportunity. One first down, Sullivan took the handoff and found the right corner of the endzone to get UMD on the board. The score was 41-7 with 14:51 remaining in regulation.
Following a Rams touchdown, UMD would answer back quickly. On a Angelo St. kickoff, Byron Bynum fielded the kick at his own six-yard line, navigated through the Rams defense and notched a 94-yard kickoff return touchdown. The score cut into the lead and made it 48-14 with 9:56 left to play in the fourth quarter.
