UND running back Tyler Hoosman set to go against former team during Potato Bowl
Sep. 5—GRAND FORKS — UND's Potato Bowl matchup on Saturday is a Missouri Valley Football Conference matchup against No. 24 Northern Iowa, a league game earlier in the schedule than occurs in a typical year.
There will be one member of the Fighting Hawks with a deep grasp of the personnel coming in to the Alerus Center for a 3 p.m. kickoff.
UND running back Tyler Hoosman spent the first five years of his college career at Northern Iowa before transferring to Grand Forks to play his final season of eligibility.
"I'd be lying if I didn't have the game circled since I committed here," Hoosman said. "I expect a back-and-forth kind of game. I know what type of talent they bring to our stadium. We're going to have to be on top of our game to achieve our goals."
The 6-foot, 215-pound Hoosman appeared in 26 games with the Panthers and had two big years in 2019 and the spring of 2021.
In 2019, Hoosman ran for 403 yards with four touchdowns including a 111-yard, two-touchdown showing against South Dakota State.
In the spring of 2021, the Plainfield, Ill., native ran for a UNI-best 373 yards and six touchdowns in pandemic-altered shortened schedule.
Hoosman's workload diminished the following fall, appearing in 11 games but running for just 68 yards and a touchdown.
In UND's 38-17 loss at Nebraska to open the 2022 season, Hoosman showcased some of his hard-nosed running that has etched out a role in the Fighting Hawks' backfield.
Against Nebraska, Hoosman had 10 carries for 41 yards and a touchdown. His 5-yard touchdown run in the third quarter made it 17-17 against the Cornhuskers.
Hoosman nearly had two touchdowns but his run in the second quarter was reviewed by officials and marked down at the 1. On the next play, UND quarterback Tommy Schuster connected with tight end Adam Zavalney for a touchdown pass.
In Week 1, UNI lost 48-17 at Air Force after trailing 27-3 at halftime.
The Panthers gave up 582 rushing yards and five touchdowns to the Falcons' triple-option rush attack.
"They're a tough, gritty group," Hoosman said of his former team. "I remember long days in the winter and summer working out, and I know how they prepare. They're going to be mentally and physically on their game.
"We'll really see who wants it, and I think it'll come down to the fourth quarter."
Hoosman said his phone is already starting to buzz with the UNI-UND matchup this week.
"In the profession, you have to stay focused like it's Nebraska or any other game down the road," he said.
With the Huskers game giving Hoosman his first taste of his new team in a live setting, he learned a few things at Memorial Stadium.
"I expected us to shock a lot of people," Hoosman said. "They showed me how much belief we have and talent we have around the room. Everyone was locked in to the very end. We have to finish those full 60 minutes, but I'm excited to be part of this group. I think we're going to shock a lot of people in the conference."
