The Bulldogs locked in and ready for kickoff on Sept. 13. Photo by Lydia Asmus

The UMD Bulldogs football team capped off a thrilling win in walk-off fashion on Military Appreciation Night on Saturday. UMD kicker Jadon Apgar made a 25-yard field goal just as time expired to elevate the Bulldogs over Minnesota State University, improving to 3-0 on the year. Bulldogs tight end Luke Dehnicke also had a stellar game, helping the team fend off the Mavericks, the No. 7-ranked team in the country.

Coming into this game, UMD held a 2-0 record while currently being ranked No. 24 in the country. The game featured a 40-yard flag presentation by military members, veterans, and first responders during the national anthem. Shortly after, a flyover followed it.

After electing to defend to start the game, UMD quickly forced a punt after a Mankato incompletion on third down. However, it wasn’t an easy start for the Bulldogs after Mavericks punter Harris Nicholas pinned UMD at their own 3-yard line. After four first downs on their opening drive, UMD settled for a field goal, taking an early 3-0 lead. Shortly after kicking the ball back to Mankato, defensive back Brock Unger secured an interception for the Bulldogs with 1:31 left in the first quarter. However, just a couple of plays later, UMD fumbled, giving the ball back to Mankato to end the first quarter.

UMD defense huddles up as they prepare to take the field on Sept.13. Photo by Lydia Asmus

After concluding the first quarter, UMD honored the 1975 football team for reaching its 50th anniversary. Multiple players from the team came on the field to receive a standing ovation, along with UMD’s most winningest coach and stadium namesake, Jim Malosky.

Not too long after the second quarter began, Mankato missed a field goal attempt that would have tied the game, but UMD couldn’t convert, resulting in a punt. With 4:16 left in the second quarter, Mankato quarterback Maximus Sims threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Nassir Jones, giving the Mavericks a 7-3 lead. Late in the quarter, with 53 seconds left, UMD linebacker Jayce Walrath read the quarterback's eyes and snagged an interception for the second and final turnover of the game for the Bulldogs. However, UMD threw one of their own in the red zone, sending the game into halftime.

Bulldogs quarterback Kyle Walljasper hurdles a Mankato defender for the first down on Sept.13. Photo by Lydia Asmus

The Bulldogs received the second-half kickoff and put together a long, efficient drive that reached the red zone. A couple plays after entering the red zone, UMD quarterback Kyle Walljasper showed off his hops as he hurdled a defender for the first down, quickly getting the crowd into the game. Unfortunately, just a few plays later, UMD failed to convert on third down, resulting in a 21-yard field goal kick by Jadon Apgar that cut the lead to 7-6. Aside from the Bulldogs’ field goal in the third quarter, both defenses were extremely dominant. However, in the final minute of the quarter, quarterback Kyle Walljasper connected with tight end Luke Dehnicke multiple times, helping the Bulldogs drive down to the Mankato 20-yard line to end the third quarter.

Just a few plays into the fourth quarter, UMD quarterback Kyle Walljasper exited the game for the rest of the drive. In came backup quarterback Jacob Eggert to relieve Walljasper. Soon after that, with 13:55 left in the fourth quarter, Eggert bolted past the Mankato defenders for an 8-yard touchdown run. Following a timeout called by UMD after the touchdown, they decided to go for two and make it a seven-point game. Eggert came in clutch again as he ran into the endzone, giving the Bulldogs a 14-7 lead. On Mankato’s next drive, they threw a 61-yard touchdown pass that ended up tying the game at 14. With around six minutes to go, UMD came up big on a third-down stop, allowing them to get the ball back with around six minutes left.

On the final drive of the game, Walljasper came back in to lead his team to a game-winning drive. Yet again, he relied on Dehnicke for three crucial completions, including a 24-yard pass that helped the Bulldogs get into field goal range. Eventually, with two seconds left in the game, UMD called their final timeout, leaving it all up to kicker Jadon Apgar. With a perfect snap and hold, Apgar nailed the kick as time expired to secure the win for the Bulldogs on such a special night.

The Bulldogs’ victory was fueled by standout performances from tight end Luke Dehnicke, quarterback Kyle Walljasper, linebackers Jayce Walrath and Ross Rivord, and, of course, kicker Jadon Apgar.

Dehnicke finished with 11 receptions for 141 yards with a long of 31. Walljasper completed 21 of 28 passes, throwing for 225 yards. He also had 74 yards on the ground. Both linebackers, Walrath and Rivord, played great, recording six tackles each, with Rivord adding one tackle for loss and Walrath registering 0.5 sacks. To cap it off, kicker Jadon Apgar finished with a perfect day, going 3-for-3 on field goal attempts, including the game-winner as time expired.

After the game, UMD tight end Luke Dehnicke spoke on what it means to play in such a crucial game, especially on Military Appreciation Night and during a conference matchup. “It’s awesome. Mankato games are always the biggest rivalry, too. So, home opener and military game against Mankato — this was picture perfect,” said Dehnicke. Dehnicke also praised his teammates and coaches, saying, “The game plan was great — the plays we were running. Coach Vogler schemed up a great game plan, and the O-line had great protection. Kyle got me the ball, and I was open. It was perfect.”

With this win, UMD improves to 3-0 on the season and looks to stay hot as they prepare for their next game on the road against Sioux Falls on Sept. 20.

UMD Football Defeats Mankato On The 12th Annual Military Appreciation Night In Dramatic Fashion