Aberdeen, S.D. – The Northern State University football team returns home this Saturday for the 2^nd Annual Blackout Cancer game. The Wolves will kick-off against Minnesota Duluth at 1 p.m. from Swisher Field. In conjunction with the Blackout Cancer theme, Northwestern Mutual of Aberdeen will host a free will tailgate beginning at 11 a.m. with all proceeds going to pediatric cancer research. For more information on fan events, visit our Game Day Page.
 
Northern enters the weekend with a 3-3 record overall and 2-0 mark in the North. The Wolves are averaging 16.5 points, 115.8 yards rushing, 157.3 yards passing, and 273.2 yards of total offense this season. After three straight losses in cross-divisional play, NSU has bounced back with divisional wins against MSU Moorhead and Minot State. Redshirt sophomore, Preston Droessler currently sits third in the NSIC in sacks, averaging .67 per game with four total on the year. Nicholas Truen has knocked out two straight 100-plus yard rushing games bringing his season total to 429 yards. He is averaging 2.5 touchdowns in the last two games. Hunter Trautman has stepped into the starting role for the Wolves at quarterback, and is averaging 95.2 yards passing per game. Cody Kraft leads five members of the NSU receiving front with over 100 yards, notching 189 this season. Josh Coyle and Alex Gray sit atop the team defensively with 38 tackles each, including a combined 4.5 tackles for a loss.
 
About the Bulldogs
                • Minnesota Duluth enters the weekend 4-2 overall and 2-0 in the NSIC North.
                • The Bulldogs are averaging 25.7 points, 119.5 yards rushing, 256.0 yards passing, and 375.5 yards of total offense per game.
                • Jason Balts sits second in the league in receiving with 555 total yards, while averaging 92.5 yards per game. He is also third in the NSIC in kick return yards, averaging 23.8 per return.
                • Zach Bassuener is third in the NSIC in sacks, averaging .67 per game with a total loss of 35 yards.
                • Sam Lynch and Kegan Wirtz are second in the league in fumbles recovered and fumbles forced with two and three respectively.
                • The Bulldog defense leads the league in opponent fourth down conversions with zero conversions in three attempts.
                • UMD is led by head coach Curt Wiese in his fifth season at the helm, where he holds a career record of 43-8.
 
Last Match-Up
                • The Wolves fell to the Bulldogs 39-19 on the road in 2016.
                • Nathan Shaw is the lone returner who scored in the game with a 28-yard field goal.
                • Alex Gray led the team with 11 total tackles.
                • NSU is 13-21 all-time against the Bulldogs, with thier last win coming in 2015.
 
A Season Ago
                • The Wolves went 6-5 overall and 4-3 in the NSIC North Division in 2016. The Bulldogs went 10-2 overall and 7-0 in the NSIC North a season ago.
 
Weather Forecast
                • Saturday calls for cloudy skies with a 50% chance of rain later in the day. A high of 57 degrees and East Northeast winds at 10-15 mph.
 
#DayByDay
                • Tylar Lindell (TE) and Jacob Rader (LB) were named the week two scout team players of the week for the Wolves.