UMD Football Delivers On Homecoming Weekend
The Bulldogs charge onto the field moments before the homecoming kickoff. Photo by Lydia Asmus
The Bulldogs football team notched a 28-14 win on Sept.27 for the Homecoming game against conference opponent Minnesota State University Moorhead on Saturday afternoon. UMD defensive back Brock Unger shined in the win, returning an interception for an 82-yard touchdown that changed the flow of the game.
Prior to the game, UMD held a 4-0 record and sat at No. 16 nationally, its highest ranking since the 2021 season. Entering the game, the Bulldogs lead the conference in overall defense scoring. This game also marked the 65th matchup between the Bulldogs and the Dragons.
After the Dragons elected to defer the opening kickoff, the Bulldogs started with the ball to begin the game. However, they were unable to get anything going as they were quickly forced to punt after a three-and-out. Following UMD’s punt, the Dragons started with the ball on their own 44-yard line. It didn’t take long for the Dragons to get in rhythm as they quickly picked up yards and first downs, despite a fourth down they were able to convert on, which kept the drive alive.
Later in the drive, quarterback Jack Strand ran for a 9-yard touchdown to give the Dragons an early 7-0 lead. After the Bulldogs regained possession, they started to make a drive of their own. Quarterback Kyle Walljasper helped the team convert on a 4th-and-1 with a QB sneak that was just enough for the first down. Shortly after that, he connected with wide receiver DaShaun Ames for a 34-yard completion to enter the red zone. That said, UMD couldn't convert its drive into points, missing a 33-yard field goal into the wind.
While both teams started the second quarter exchanging punts, with around ten minutes left in the quarter, the Dragons completed a huge 45-yard completion that put them in the red zone. However, the very next play, UMD quickly answered as defensive back Brock Unger intercepted a pass that was tipped twice and returned it 82 yards for a touchdown. This crucial play not only tied the game but also gave the Bulldogs momentum for the rest of the quarter and the game.
Following Unger’s critical interception, both defenses came up big the rest of the quarter, forcing many punts. Although on UMD’s last drive before the half, they started to come alive. Despite facing a 4th-and-1, the Bulldogs converted to keep the drive going. On the very next play, Walljasper connected with his reliable wide receiver, DaShaun Ames, for an 11-yard completion that put the Bulldogs in field goal range. This allowed Bulldogs kicker Drew Henson to nail a 52-yard field goal that gave UMD the lead as time expired in the half.
The third quarter began with the Dragons receiving the ball, but they were quickly forced off the field by the Bulldogs' defense. Once UMD regained possession, they marched quickly down the field. Not long after crossing midfield, Walljasper found his tight end, Luke Dehnicke, for a 20-yard completion that moved the Bulldogs to the Dragons’ 25-yard line. Soon after, UMD kicker Drew Henson made a 40-yard field goal that extended the lead to 13-7.
The Dragons responded with a successful drive, marching down the field before quarterback Jack Strand connected with wide receiver Gage Florence for a 20-yard touchdown pass that put Moorhead up 14-13.
Throughout UMD’s next drive, some penalties fell in their favor, setting up a 31-yard touchdown pass from Walljasper to wide receiver Ryder Patterson. The play was made possible by a stellar block from wide receiver Chuck Gilbert III, which gave Patterson the space to run down the sideline and in for the score, giving the Bulldogs a 20-14 lead just before the end of the third quarter.
After the conclusion of the third quarter, UMD honored their nine Hall of Fame Inductees as they received a standing ovation.
Not long after the fourth quarter began, defensive back Alex Sylvester snatched an interception. Although UMD was forced to punt later on the drive, they came away with their third interception of the day exactly four minutes later, as defensive back Preston McQueen picked off Strand on a deep pass.
Caption: Bulldogs quarterback Kyle Walljasper rushes right through the Dragons' defense in hopes of picking up a first down. Photo by Lydia Asmus
This led to multiple runs by Walljasper that helped the Bulldogs drive down the field with purpose, putting the game within reach of the Dragons. After a little over a three-minute drive, with 5:35 left in the fourth quarter, Walljasper punched it in with a 2-yard touchdown run. Instead of kicking the extra point, UMD surprised the Dragons with a successful fake, as tight end Luke Dehnicke ran into the end zone with ease, giving the Bulldogs a 28-14 lead and win.
The Bulldogs’ success was anchored by quarterback Kyle Walljasper, wide receivers DaShaun Ames and Ryder Patterson, defensive backs Preston McQueen and Brock Unger.
Walljasper completed 19 of 27 passes for 188 yards and a touchdown. Ames finished with six receptions for 72 yards, including a long of 34, while Patterson added four catches for 43 yards and a touchdown. McQueen recorded six solo tackles, and Unger finished with four tackles, including an 82-yard interception return for a touchdown.
With emotions still running high, Unger spoke about what it meant to play in a Homecoming and conference game with such an electric atmosphere.
“It was awesome. The atmosphere was great. The fans and tailgate were buzzing,” said Unger.
Unger also shared what he felt during his interception, saying, “That was one of the coolest moments of my life. I didn’t have a great play before, so I had to get my revenge on that. I was just lucky that it tipped to me, and grateful that I was able to run down the sideline and celebrate with my teammates.”
With that win, UMD improves their overall record to 5-0 and their conference record to 4-0 this season. They look to continue their winning streak as they prepare to host Southwest Minnesota State University next week on Oct. 4.