For the first time in a decade, the UMD football team has been picked to finished first in the NSIC preseason polls.

The Bulldogs received eight first place votes and over 134 points, which is 10 points ahead of Augustana, who is the defending NSIC champion.

Augustana ranked second with MSU Mankato coming in third.

Two Bulldogs also were honored with “Players to watch” nominations, those being quarterback Kyle Walljasper and defensive end Drew Hennessey.

Walljasper had 39 total touchdowns last season, with 22 passing and 16 rushing, and even one receiving touchdown on the year. Walljasper is poised for another big year on the offensive end, while Hennessey will look to do it defensively, following last year’s stats. Hennessey was 3rd in the NSIC in sacks per game and had nine total on the year. He was also a 2023 NSIC all-conference first team selection.

The Bulldogs are deserving of some top honors, as they finished just one spot short of the DII playoffs last season, coming in 29th out of 28. The Bulldogs will look for revenge this season, and it all starts with Northern Michigan on August 29th followed by the home opener on September 14th against Minnesota State-Moorhead.