Bulldogs roll through Minnesota-Crookston as playoffs near
Photo courtesy of UMD Athletics
The Bulldogs set a new school record on Saturday afternoon by putting up 56 points in the first half against the University of Minnesota-Crookston.
The Bulldogs remain perfect on the season at 9-0 after the 63-7 win, with the hopes to be one of the 28 playoff teams after just a bowl appearance last year. Junior quarterback Mike Rybarczyk said, “We are more motivated this season to get back into the national playoffs coming off last year… We have a lot more veterans on both sides of the ball.”
When asked about an 11-0 season, senior tight end Jack Sims answered, “Absolutely, but we aren’t going to overlook any opponent and just take it one game at a time.”
Despite their undefeated record, the Bulldogs fell to No. 3 in the NCAA Division II Super Region 4 Rankings. These rankings are crucial if the team wants to capture a first round bye in the playoffs, but the players don’t seem to be too worried.
Rybarczyk said, “It stinks, but we can’t control our schedule or the rankings… We just want to finish undefeated.” Sims also chimed in on their current ranking and confidently said, “It honestly doesn’t matter.”
The Bulldogs will play their final two regular season games at home and would also like to continue their week by week mentality into the playoffs.
The team is really hoping for either a home game or the bye if they do indeed make the playoffs. Rybarczyk said, “It would be nice to ge bye so we can get that extra film and get some our guys healthy.”
The Bulldogs have already clinched their 11th straight Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) North Title and would also like to win the NSIC as a whole. The only other team that has a 9-0 record is No. 1 Mankato State in the NSIC South.
Their next game is at Malosky stadium at 1 p.m. against the University of Mary who is still looking for their first win of the season. Which means you might want to get there early because this one could be over very quickly.
Adult tickets are $10 and children $6 and as always, UMD students get in free with a valid ID.