No team breathed a collective sigh of relief on Selection Sunday quite like North Dakota. It wasn’t that long ago that UND was sitting at 6-2 and looking like a shoo in for the playoffs. But three losses
later… including a heartbreaking season finale overtime stumble to South Dakota State… and suddenly it seemed as though the Hawks were going to be left out. For 16 or so agonizing hours after that 34-31 defeat, 7-5 North Dakota had to sit and wait, not knowing whether they’d done enough to make their case. On Sunday morning, though, their prayers were answered and they snuck in as one of the last teams in the tournament.
Now, with that newfound sense of life, UND makes the trek South for a date with Tennessee Tech to open their playoff run in what could be one of the more intriguing matchups of the first round.
The Golden Eagles took a very different path to the postseason. Coming in with an 11-1 record, there was no question whether or not they would be in. In fact, there was legitimate surprise around some facets of the subdivision over the fact that TTU didn’t receive a bye week and that they have to play at all on Thanksgiving weekend. They won the Big South-OVC largely in runaway fashion and never lost to an FCS opponent all year. This may be the best team that Tennessee Tech has ever had and the expectations are as high as they’ve ever been in Cookeville.
That’s what North Dakota will be going up against on Saturday and first-year head coach Eric Schmidt and his Hawks have to feel as though they have a clean slate now. UND is no slouch either as they played one of the FCS’s toughest schedules this year. With four ranked games on their docket this fall, this group is as battle tested as any and certainly has the talent to go into Tennessee this weekend and pull an upset.
Quarterback Jerry Kaminski has been great under center in his first season, as the starter, throwing for 25 touchdowns and 2,360 yards. Guys like running back Sawyer Seild and receiver B.J. Fleming have been game changers on offense, accounting for 18 scores and over 200 touches this season. They’re the most leaned on players for Schmidt but now they need to prove that they can deliver in a do-or-die game.
Defensively, UND will have its hands full with standout quarterback Kekoa Visperas on the other side. Visperas came to Tennessee Tech from Eastern Washington after last season and has been the main catalyst in their incredible run. He’s been responsible for nearly 3,000 all purpose yards and has 35 total touchdowns this year for an offense that put up some truly insane numbers at certain points.
The Hawks will need leaders like linebacker Malachi McNeal and defensive back Antonio Bluiett to step up in a big way. McNeal has been an everything guy for the defense this season, leading the team with 76 tackles, batting away four balls and getting in on a sack. Bluiett is one of the best DBs in the Missouri Valley with six PBUs and three interceptions. Them along with everyone else will need to have one of their best performances of the season this weekend.
Xs and Os aside, the fact that this game is happening at all for North Dakota has to feel like a blessing. It’s the resurrection on a season that many thought was dead just a few days ago. With this second chance and all a new outlook on their year, there’s not telling just what the Hawks might be able to accomplish over the next month or so. It all starts this weekend with the Golden Eagles and, even against a high-powered opponent like that, Schmidt and his group know they have a puncher’s chance.
North Dakota and Tennessee Tech will kick off at 1:00 PM (ET) on Saturday with the winner heading to Tarleton State. The game, like all of the first round contests, can be streamed on ESPN+.
