Bulldogs building up for massive temperature shift in postseason opener

This weekend the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) football team will go from kicking off practice in 30 degree weather to 70 degree weather as they open the NCAA Division II tournament at Texas’ Angelo State University.

While the Bulldogs expressed excitement for heated competition, the temperature change while force a shift in UMD’s pre-game plans.

"That is a concern for us, and certainly hydration is going to be an important piece of this game," UMD head coach Curt Weise said at practice on Tuesday. "The forcast is potentially up to 80 degrees for kickoff."

Fifth year running back Cazz Martin chimed in, "a game is a game but of course the temperature, I like the warm better than the cold but football is football."

The 9-2 Bulldogs will get one practice in San Angelo before their first round game on Saturday. They’ll be packing a number of weapons including senior wide receiver Armani Carmickle who, in their 49-35 regular season finale win over Northern State University, became the team’s all-time leader in single season receiving yards.

Kickoff against Angelo State Saturday is set for 1pm.