UND football to host a No. 1 team in the country for the first time since 1990
Oct. 17—GRAND FORKS — The last time UND hosted a No. 1-ranked football team in Grand Forks, Bubba Schweigert was a 28-year-old UND assistant coach.
It was three coaches, three conferences, one division, one nickname and 32 seasons ago.
When No. 20 UND hosts No. 1 South Dakota State at the Alerus Center on Saturday afternoon, the Jackrabbits will be the first No. 1 team to play in Grand Forks since Nov. 10, 1990, when UND lost to eventual Division II national champion North Dakota State.
"We were out practicing (Sunday), and you could tell there's a different feel," UND defensive end Ben McNaboe said. "Every game is a difficult one in the Valley. When you get the No. 1 team in the country, especially South Dakota State, to come to our place, people are locked in and really ready to go."
When UND hosted NDSU in the fall of 2021, the Bison were ranked No. 5 in the FCS before eventually winning the national title.
The Jackrabbits were No. 3 in the FCS when UND hosted SDSU early in the spring of 2021, when UND beat the Jacks 28-17.
The Jacks were ranked No. 2 in the FCS last week but outscored NDSU 16-0 in the second half to beat the previously No. 1 Bison 23-21 in Fargo.
"As a team, we understand the team we have and this is an opportunity every kid dreams for," UND running back Tyler Hoosman said. "You have the No. 1 team coming in. You can make a huge statement for your team and the community. We know how important it is, but we have to keep a level head and make sure we're preparing well."
The Fighting Hawks have won 17 of their last 18 home games. Since Halloween 2018, UND's only loss in the Alerus Center was a six-point defeat to NDSU in the fall of 2021.
The last time UND played at home, the Fighting Hawks beat then-No. 7 Missouri State 48-31.
"We're really excited about the opportunity in front of us," UND coach Bubba Schweigert said. "We want to be playing big games in our program. I have a lot of respect for Coach (John) Stiegelmeier and what he's done at South Dakota State. This is a really good football team.
"You want to physically and mentally prepare during the week, and then be at the right emotional level at kickoff at Saturday at 3 (p.m.). Our guys have done a good job of that for the most part, staying in the moment and preparing. You don't want to be too high until Saturday afternoon."
