Running back Zach Ojile (#33) takes a carry into Wayne State territory on Saturday at Malosky Stadium. The Bulldogs would score two late touchdowns to secure the victory (Photo courtesy Drew Smith/UMD Athletics).

DULUTH, MN -- The No. 23 ranked UMD Bulldog football squad got back to their winning ways on Saturday afternoon at Malosky Stadium, defeating the visiting Wayne State Wildcats 21-7. The victory pushes UMD to 5-1 on the season and extends the dogs regular season home winning streak to 12 games.

The Bulldogs used hearty defense and timely scoring to pull away in the fourth quarter in a contest that saw head coach Curt Wiese deploy two different quarterbacks in replacement of the injured John Larson who didn’t dress but was on the UMD sideline for the game (Thanks to Jon Nowacki for the spot). Sophomore Garrett Olson got the start for the Bulldogs and finished the game 8 for 9 on passing attempts for 48 yards and a touchdown pass. Redshirt freshman Keagen Calchera got the rest of the snaps, finishing 5 for 10 for 52 yards.

Olson and UMD looked poised to strike on their opening possession, with the running back tandem of Cazz Martin and Wade Sullivan moving the Bulldogs along over 15 straight running plays. On the first pass play of the game, Olson found Sullivan streaking across the middle of the field, as Sullivan made his move toward the end zone he was hit by a Wayne State linebacker, knocking the ball loose. Jalen Burgess recovered the ball for the Wildcats.

Wayne State would fail to do much of anything on the ensuing drive, and the game fell into a defensive stalemate with each team trading 3 and outs. The first real threat would come early into the second quarter when a slew of UMD defensive players forced Wildcat quarterback Tavian Willis out of the pocket. Instead of throwing the ball away Willis tried to force a pass to his receiver and UMD defensive back Tim Pokornowski was able to make the interception. The pick gave the Bulldogs the ball at the Wayne State 18 yard line.

Four plays later Wade Sullivan would barrel his way into the endzone to give the dogs the first lead of the game. After Dan Branger put in the extra point, the Bulldogs found themselves up 7-0 with a little over 10 minutes to go in the 2nd quarter.

Wayne State answered late in the half with a decisive drive of their own. Following a UMD turnover on downs with 1:20 left, Wayne State made quick work of the Bulldog defense, ripping off a 29 yard run before bombing a deep pass to wide receiver Mason Lee which put them into UMD territory with 15 seconds left in the half. Following a UMD pass interference penalty on the next play, Wayne State found themselves with a 1st and goal from the 2 yard line with 5 seconds left. The Wildcats made good on the opportunity to go into the half tied at 7, with quarterback Tavian Willis running it in for the touchdown.

The game would remain at a 7-7 deadlock until early in the fourth quarter when UMD finally struck again with their first of two touchdowns in the final quarter. Following some good work by running back Cazz Martin to get the Bulldogs into the red zone, Olson was able to find redshirt freshman receiver Byron Bynum for a nine yard touchdown to put the dogs up 14-7.

UMD found themselves once again in position to strike later in the quarter, this time following partial block of a Wayne State punt by senior defensive back Tyrik Carmickle. The play setup the Bulldogs with a 1st and 10 from the Wildcat 16 yard line. Wade Sullivan would run the ball in for a 16 yard touchdown on the following play, but UMD was called for holding and the play was negated. Sullivan would make up for lost points a few plays later, running it in from four yards out to give UMD the 21-7 lead.

Despite coming off a 52-7 beatdown at the hands of Minnesota State last weekend the Bulldogs showed resilience, especially on the defensive side of the ball where they held the Wildcats to only 106 yards of total offense. Leading the way for the dogs was junior linebacker Nate Pearson, who had 2.5 sacks and four tackles in the win.

The Bulldogs take to the field for homecoming on Saturday at Malosky Stadium. The game was marred by snow and blustery winds throughout. (Photo courtesy Drew Smith/UMD Athletics).

Up next for the Bulldogs (5-1, 5-1 NSIC) is a trip to Sioux Falls, SD for a meeting with the University of Sioux Falls Cougars (4-2, 4-2 NSIC). Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. from Bob Young Field. As always #BulldogCountry can find the game on KDAL610 AM. The game will also be broadcast throughout the upper midwest on the Midco Sports Network.

UMD returns to form, beats Wayne State 21-7 on homecoming