UMD Football Notches Big Win Over Upper Iowa on Military Appreciation Night
The dogs huddle up to discuss their next big play against the Peacocks. Credit: Alyvia Taylor
The UMD Bulldogs football team bagged a dominant win on our home turf on Saturday. Military Appreciation Night provided an audience of active members and veterans for the game. The lively student section showed their appreciation at halftime as the military personnel stood proud when the UMD marching band played the Armed Forces Medley.
With her beautiful Curls and all, the talented Sophia Fenske, conducts the band in a patriotic way as they play the Armed Forces Medley for the member of the military in the crowd. Credit: Alyvia Taylor
The trumpet section's skill and exquisite dance moves not only hype up the band but influence the entire stadium to bust a move. Credit: Alyvia Taylor
On Sept. 17, Bulldog fans and military members started celebrating the foggy evening in true Bulldog manner: tailgating. After all the fun, they filed onto the field to display and honor the monumental American flag. In Bulldog Country it is important to appreciate the men and women who risked or gave their lives fighting for our independence. This annual event is paramount for not only the fans and the military, but the players as well. One of the ways the Bulldogs showed their respect was by featuring pictures of military veterans prominently on the front of their helmets. Military families paid the Athletic Department to display a stickered version of their loved one on the front of the helmets. As they were selling decals, the funds went directly to the Operation One Voice organization and to supporting wounded militaristic families.
Military Appreciation Night was clouded with heavy fog as the Bulldogs put on an offensive clinic. Junior running back Daniel Mitchell rushed for his first touchdown of the night on the first drive of the game, locking in a nine-yard run and putting the Dogs up early in the first quarter.
Blood hungry wide receiver, Dashaun Ames, points to his next victim on the field. Credit: Alyvia Tylor.
The second quarter kept the interest of the fans, with the Bulldogs outscoring the Peacocks by one touchdown. The first touchdown came from running back Wade Sullivan, who helped cap off an impressive 58-yard drive with a quick 2-yard rush into the Peacocks’ end zone. The second touchdown came by the strong arm of quarterback Logan Graetz who connected with wide receiver Byron Bynum for 40 yards, putting the Bulldogs up 21-6 at the half.
The next touchdown didn’t come from either team until the fourth quarter. Daniel Mitchell contributed to the 50-yard drive with a 10-yard rush for his second touchdown of the night, showing resilience after his previous attempt was called back for a penalty on the Bulldogs.
After a clean touchdown, Daniel Mitchell and Treyvon Cahalan celebrate the dog's big lead against the Peacocks. Credit: Lukas Lorenz
The Bulldogs gave the fans a great show on the defensive side of the ball as well. They forced two fumbles and sacked Upper Iowa quarterback Marcus Orr once, pushing his offense back for a total of 30 yards throughout the game.
With this win, UMD improves to an overall record of 2-1 and looks forward to playing Sioux Falls on the road, on September 21.