On Saturday the Jacks head to Grand Forks to take on the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks. This is Senior Day for UND and essentially a playoff game as the winner will reach the 8 win threshold for MVFC teams and the loser will be on the bubble leaning OUT. UND has had a weird season with their best wins coming a month ago in back to back weeks vs. Youngstown and SIU. YSU is likely in the playoffs at this point while SIU is out. UND may be best known for their “good losses” this season with close games against Kansas, Montana, NDSU, and USD. All of this said, UND is a very dangerous team, especially at home, and this should be a really good game.
Offense
The UND offense is averaging 35 points per game and can move the ball through the air (195 ypg) or on the ground (211 ypg). They are fairly efficient, converting on 43% of their 3rd down opportunities and 57% of of their 4th down opportunities. In the redzone they are okay, scoring on 42 of 53 chances with 37 being touchdowns. They have tossed 8 interceptions, lost 6 fumbles, and allowed just 11 sacks!
Maybe the biggest change for the UND offense is the change in quarterback. Last year’s starter, #6 Simon Romfo (5-10, 190), is now the backup. The very talented #11 Jerry Kaminski (6-2, 210) has started every game this season. While there have been some growing pains (as expected) he has played pretty well for the most part having completed 60% of his passes for 2,068 yards and 23 TDs to the 8 interceptions. He is also dangerous with his feet and he has 572 gross yards (483 with sacks) which equates to 4.8 yards per carry and 7 touchdowns.
The leading rusher for the Hawks is #9 Sawyer Seidl (5-10, 175). The speedy sophomore has 814 net yards (5.4 ypc) and 11 TDs on the season. He is also dangerous out of the backfield and has 15 receptions for 171 yards and 4 TDs. He was sort of the “lightning” to the thunder of #28 Gavin Ziebarth who has missed the last 4 weeks and is not listed on this weeks depth chart. The backup is 5th year #20 Xavier Leigh (5-10, 185) who has 260 yards (4.2 ypc) and 1 TD. Leigh transferred in from Sacred Heart where he had over 700 yards rushing. Leigh has also added 13 receptions for 105 yards this season.
At the receiver position, the star of the show is #4 BJ Fleming (6-0, 180) and he leads the team in every receiving category with 41 receptions for 647 yards and 6 TDs. Fleming transferred in from Northern Arizona where he had an okay career but this season he has bettered his career totals over 3 years at NAU. Opposite him is #3 Nate DeMontagnac (6-3, 195) and he has 26 receptions for 314 yards and 1 TD. #10 Caden Dennis (6-2, 185) has chipped in with 17 receptions for 210 yards and 1 TD. The tight ends are not super involved in the passing game but #40 Haydn Stay (6-4, 260), #80 Watson Hafer (6-4, 240) and true freshman #84 Nathan Hromadka (6-6, 230) are more than capable with 23 combined receptions for 192 yards and 4 TDs (3 coming from Hromadka).
The offensive line for UND has been a surprising bright spot for this offense. They have lost a lot of talent through the portal the last few years and lost their ultra talented offensive line coach but the room just keeps moving forward and playing well! From left to right they go:
#79 Trace Thaden (6-8, 295, JR)- 1st year starter. Converted tight end.
#67 Liam Becher (6-7, 320, JR)- 2nd year starter, started all 12 games in 2024 at LT
#62 Ben Buxa (6-3, 210, SO)- 2nd year starter, MVFC all-newcomer team in 2024
#76 Ayden Teeter (6-5, 320, Jr)- 1st year starter
#71 Seth Anderson (6-5, 300, 5th year)-4th year starting since transferring over from NDSU. HM All-MVFC in 2024.
Defense
The UND defense has taken a big step in 2025 as they have shifted away from being solely a 3-4 defense. Like most teams now, they run a 4-2-5 amoeba defense that adjusts to the offensive personnel. They are allowing less than 19 points per game. Opponents have struggled to find much traction on the ground rushing for just 97 yards per game (2.9 ypc). Through the air they are allowing 200 yards per game. They have done a good job of limiting opponents on 3rd and 4th down (30% and 44.5%). In the redzone opponents have scored 23 of 27 times but just 14 have been touchdowns. Finally, they have recorded 33 sacks, have recovered 5 fumbles, and have forced 12 interceptions. Yeah, this is much improved group!
Up front, the real disruptor is #0 Lance Rucker (6-3, 230) who is still just a junior. He has a whopping 7 sacks to go with 42 total tackles, 2 PBUs, and 4 QBHs. He’s massively disruptive. Opposite him is #13 Kaden Vig (6-6, 260) who has 23 total tackles, 5.5 sacks, 1 PBU, 3 QBH, and a forced fumble. On the interior is #98 Montre Samuels-Parker (5-11, 260) and #97 Logyn Eckheart (6-2, 295). Eckheart has 30 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and a QBH while Samuels-Parker has 26 total tackles, 1 sack, and 4 QBH. #88 Emmanuel Olagbaju (6-3, 295) is the key reserve on the interior with with 10 tackles and 2.5 sacks. On the edge it is #23 Kyjuan Vengrosky (6-2, 255) and he has 20 tackles after transferring in from Winona State.
The linebackers for UND will fly around. The man who just continues to make plays is #7 Malachi McNeal (6-1, 230). He leads the team in tackles with 66 total. He also has 3 TFL, 1 sack, 1 INT, 4 PBU, and 3 QBHs. He’s just a player and the Jacks will need to be aware of where he is at on the field. The SAM backer is Old Dominion transfer #34 Michael Devereaux (6-1, 235) and he has 50 total tackles, 4 TFL, 1 sack, and 6 PBUs. #26 Paine Parks is a top backup and he has 18 tackles and 3 PBUs this season.
The starting cornerbacks for UND are true freshman #27 Grant Noland (6-1, 175) and #10 Bennett Walker (6-1, 200). Walker has only appeared in 3 games this season and has 9 tackles. Noland on the other hand has played in every game and has 37 total tackles and 4 PBUs. If it appears UND is thin at corner, it is because they are. #2 Avery Scott and #22 Antonio Bluiett are OUT and I imagine they are the preferred starters for the Hawks. However, #3 Jonnie Wiltshire (5-11, 190) has done a good job in the “STUD” position (slot corner). He has 44 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 4 sacks, 2 INT, 4 PBU, and 6 QBHs.
#11 Zach Lewis (5-10, 180) is starring for this UND defense as a “Rover” and he has 60 total tackles, 7 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 2 INT, 4 PBU, and 1 QBH. He is another NAU transfer and has done a great job this season coming over and bringing some play making ability! Next to him is #4 Jy Martin (5-10, 190) who is 3rd on the team with 57 tackles, 3 TFL, 2 INT, and 3 PBU. #9 Tyler Erkman (6-1, 195) is a top reserve with 21 tackles, 1 INT, and 2 PBU and #33 Jett Sutton (6-0, 205) provides some experienced depth and he has pitched in with 13 tackles this year.
Special Teams
Another week and another good punter in the MVFC, this time with #85 Luke Silvernale who has a 45 yard average on 37 attempts. He has a long of just 54 yards but has forced 16 to be fair caught, landed 18 inside the 20 and booted 9- 50+ yards. Opponents haven’t found much luck in the return game either with 16 returns averaging just 4.69 per return. However, the did allow a blocked punt to be returned for a touchdown earlier this season. On kickoffs, #14 Kenten Laughman has a 61 yard average on 66 attempts. 21 have been touchbacks and opponents have just a 20 yard return average with a long of 66 yards. On field goals, it appears the duties are split between Laughman and #53 CJ Elrichs. They are a combined 7 for 12 with longs of 38 and 32. They have had a kick blocked this year too.
In the return game for UND, #11 Zach Lewis is a solid punt returner with 20 attempts and an 11.65 yard average with a long of 28. #9 Sawyer Seidl and #13 Kristen Hoskins (5-8, 170) handle the kick return duties. Seidl is dangerous with a 92 yard return to his resume already this season. Hoskins has a 16.5 yard average and a long of 21.
Predictions
It’s do or die for the Jackrabbits and the Fighting Hawks. If the Jackrabbits who played the final 2/3 of a game against Illinois State show up, the Jacks will win. If it’s the ones who showed up vs. Indiana State and the first third of the Illinois State game, the season is over with a resounding thud. I care about if the team wins or loses (obviously) but what I really want is to see for the team to play a complete 4 quarter game. I know that’s asking a lot and I’m not really sure we’ve seen that all season besides maybe against Sac State or Montana State in the opening two weeks. Anyways, I think the Jacks find a way to get it done and continue the playoff streak.
Jackrabbits 27- Fighting Hawks 24.
Go Jacks!
Matt
