The Jackrabbits (5-1, 5-0 vs the FCS) head to Grand Forks to taking on the Fighting Hawks of North Dakota (5-2, 4-1). UND is reeling after a huge upset loss in the UNI Dome. The game was a classic trap game or as B-Team co-host Brendan would say, “The trappiest of trap game.” However, it wasn’t just the loss but also the potential loss of it’s do-everything QB Jerry Kaminski when his cleats/foot/ankle got caught in the the UNI turf during an awkward tackle near the goal line. Pretty quickly, Kaminsky was seen on the sidelines on crutches without his shoe on. It didn’t look good. The Jackrabbits have the rest advantage but the Fighting Hawks will be at home, possibly bolstered by the return of pass rusher Lance Rucker, and hungry to put the upset loss behind them. The Jacks are playing in the Alerus Center for the third year in a row and have won the previous two. This has all the makings of being a terrific game!
Offense
The UND offense has been really explosive so far in 2026 under the leadership of familiar face, Danny Freund. They have speed and weapons all over the place. They are scoring 39 ppg by rushing for 213 per game and passing for 245 per game. They can beat you a lot of different ways. They are converting on 43.3% of their 3rd down opportunities and 61% of their 4th down opportunities. In the redzone they have scored 30 of 37 times with 26 being of the touchdown variety. They have allowed 14 sacks, have tossed 6 interceptions, and have lost 7 fumbles (off of 11 fumbles). They clearly have struggled with ball security this season, something the Jackrabbits have thrived on since entering MVFC play.
The offense is led by #1 Jerry Kaminski (6-2, 213) but his status for Saturday is in doubt. I would personally be surprised if he played. When he went down he instantly grabbed at his lower leg and stayed down. Seeing him nearly immediately hopping around on crutches was not a good sign. However, if he does play, he’s a really good quarterback. On the year he is completing 67% of his passes for 1,626 yards and 19 TDs to just 4 INT. He has also shown some real athleticism with his legs where he has rushed for 443 gross yards (310 net) and 3 TDs. If he can’t go, it will likely be backup #8 Javance Tupou’ata-Johnson (6-4, 215). Say that 5x fast Tyler Merriam! Javance is in his second year at UND after transferring in from San Diego State. He looked like a rusty backup on Saturday as UNI blitzed him relentlessly at the end of the game to speed up his decision making. On the season in limited action his is 5 for 17 for 94 yards and 2 INTs. He has rushed the ball for 101 gross yards on 17 carries and was functioning as a goal line weapon with 3 TDs. The Jacks have not blitzed on a high percentage of plays this season and have relied typically on their front four to create havoc. I’m curious what they do on Saturday.
The Fighting Hawks have a really nice one-two punch at running back. Illinois State transfer #4 Matt Lawson (5-10, 198) is listed as the starter and he leads the team with 58 carries for 297 yards (5.1 ypc) and 3 TDs. He also has added 10 receptions for 76 yards. The leading rusher is #6 Charles Langama (5-8, 204) has 59 carries for 454 yards (7.7 ypc) with 5 TDs. He too is a capable receiver with 7 receptions for 56 yards. Neither are super big but they are surprisingly physical. #31 Griffin Broderick is the 3rd back an he has 203 yards (4.7 ypc) and 1 TD on the ground.
The Fighting Hawk tight end room is high quality and can both catch and block well. #40 Haydn Stay (6-4, 267) is a blocking tight end but he does also have 2 receptions for 16 yards. #44 Mason South (6-2, 247) is basically an h-back and he has 4 receptions for 25 yards and 3 touchdowns. The biggest receiving threat in the tight end room is #84 Nathan Hromadka (6-6, 235) and he has 10 receptions for 106 yards and 2 TD. #80 Watson Hafer (6-4, 238) had 4 receptions for 43 yards but was also was on crutches by the end of the UNI game.
The wide receiver room was a bit of an unknown but was full of potential at the start of the season. They have shown up in an impressive way this season. I wanted to put #2 Deng Deng (6-5, 225) on my preseason MVFC team but couldn’t off of potential alone. However, he will likely be on the final team when it is announced at the end of the season. He leads the team with 30 receptions for 478 yards and 1 TD. #5 Korey Tai (5-11, 185) is also a dangerous weapon and has 25 receptions for 371 yards and 5 TDs. Washington State transfer #11 Cameron Weir (5-9, 163) is a shifty guy and terrific returner. He has also produced at wide receiver this year with 19 receptions for 208 yards and 3 TDs. #88 Sam Strandell (6-3, 221) provides a big target and has 8 receptions for 84 yards and TD. Bowling Green transfer #3 Caleb Goodloe was having an impressive start to his season (16 rec, 209 yards, 2 TD) but tore his ACL against Indiana State and is out for the season.
UND had the topped rank offensive line in all of the lists put together by the FCS media. They were great in 2025 but so far been just okay in 2026. From left to right they go:
LT: #79 Trace Thaden (6-7, 306, 5th)
- 2nd year starter. Really long and an exceptional pass blocker.
LG: #51 Caleb Olson (6-3, 306, Gr) or #67 Liam Becher (6-7, 317, 5th)
- Olson has started the past two games for Becher and was the starting right guard before Becher went out. He was the starting right guard in 2024 and started there again in the opening game in 2025 but suffered a knee injury. If Becher can play, I imagine Olson will go back to right guard. Becher was named to a few preseason All-American lists so his absence has been felt. This is Becher’s 3rd year as a starter.
C: #62 Ben Buxa (6-3, 306, SR)
- 3rd year as the starting center.
RG: #63 Isaac Cariveau (6-3, 304, JR)
- Started his first game two weeks ago vs. Murray State.
RT: Alton Williams (6-8, 305, JR)
- 1st year as a starter.
Defense
UND plays an attacking 4-2-5 defense and they will bring pressure from everywhere. I believe All-American pass rusher Lance Rucker will make his return to the lineup after an ankle/foot injury was suffered in the preseason. The Fighting Hawks are surrendering 27 points per game as opponents are rushing for just 105 per game and passing for 195. In fact, against UNI they only allowed 144 total yards. They have been good at getting to the quarterback with 15 sacks and have 3 interceptions, and 6 fumble recoveries. On 3rd down they are allowing conversions on 36% of attempts and on 4th down opponents convert on 67% of attempts. In the redzone, teams have scored 18 of 20 times with 17 being touchdowns.
The UND defense has a really good front four which will be even better with the return of #0 Lance Rucker (6-3, 244). Rucker had an All-American season last year with 11.5 sacks, 15 TFL, and 4 forced fumbles. He is a game changer. In his absence this year, #94 Braden Mohr (6-3, 254) has stepped up and he has 27 tackles, 7.5 sacks, 9 TFL, 3 QBH, and 1 PBU and forced fumble. #22 Brody Thornton (6-5, 245) has stepped up from the “Zeke” position, which is what Rucker plays, and has 23 tackles, 5 TFL, and 1 sack. I imagine, him and Rucker will split snaps this first week as Rucker works himself back into game shape. #13 Kaden Vig (6-6, 275) is listed as the starter at Field Edge (not Mohr) and he has had a quieter start to his season with 7 tackles and a TFL through 7 games. In the middle of the defensive line is big #97 Logyn Eckheart (6-2, 295). He has 8 tackles this year. True freshman #44 Mason Beaver (6-2, 280) is the listed backup at nose and he has just 1 tackle. At defensive tackle is Sac State transfer #75 Tyler Henry (6-2, 272). He has 10 stops, 2 TFL, and 2 QBH. UAlbany transfer #99 Kylyn Macklin (6-3, 276) has been productive in a reserve role with 19 total tackles, 7 TFL, .5 sack, and 2 QBH.
The base UND defense plays a Sam and a Will. The Will, and leading tackler for UND, is #11 Ethan Boll (6-1, 227) and he has 43 total stops, with 4 TFL, 1 sack, 2 QBH, and 2 forced fumbles. This is his 4th year in the program but first as a starter and he has certainly made the most of it! The Sam is second year starter #7 Mike Devereaux (6-1, 236) and he’s second on the team with 43 total tackles and 3.5 TFL. True freshman #34 Nate Appleget (6-3, 225) is the primary backup at linebacker and he has 14 total tackles, 1 TFL, and half a sack.
#3 Jonnie Wiltshire (5-11, 190) is one of the best defenders in the MVFC from his nickelback position. He has 26 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 2 sacks, 1 INT, 3 PBU, and 4 QBHs. He fought for a 5th year of eligibility and it has been a significant win for UND. Wiltshire is “that guy” for the UND defense and someone the Jacks must identify on every play. #8 Grant Tylutki (5-10, 198) is the backup for this position and he has produced as well. He has 23 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1 PBU, and 1 forced fumble.
The cornerbacks for UND are #27 Grant Noland (6-0, 186) and #4 Evan Kuldt (6-3, 189). Noland started last season as a true freshman and held up pretty well. This year he has 28 tackles, 2 TFL, 7 PBU, and 2 QBHs. Kludt has 17 total tackles, 1.5 TFL, .5 sack, 3 PBUs, and 1 QBH. Akron transfer #20 Ben Kamara (6-4, 200) has been the top reserve and he has just 6 tackles and 2 TFL along with 3 PBUs. #35 Avery Scott (6-0, 190) is another guy who fought for an extra year of eligibility and he has responded with 7 tackles, a TFL, and 2 PBUs. The starting rover is #9 Tyler Erkman (6-1, 195) and he’s third on the team with 33 tackles, 1 TFL, .5 sack, and 1 PBU. It’s his first year starting and he has performed well. The free safety has some depth with #31 Jy Martin (5-10, 190) and #2 Avery Dixon (6-1, 201) both haven’t some good experience. Dixon has missed the last three weeks however. He has 9 tackles and an INT on the season. Martin has 5 tackles in the past two games.
Special Teams
The UND special teams is always good. Year in and year out they just get it done. #27 Kenton Laughman has gone 4 for 5 on field goals with a long of 38 yards and he has had 1 field goal blocked. #85 Luke Silvernale handles the punt duties and he has a 45 yard average on 22 kicks. Opponents are averaging 9.25 yards per return and have 1 TD on 8 attempts. They have had a punt blocked Laughman also handles the kick off duties and he has a 62 yard average on 46 attempts including 21 touchbacks with three kicks out of bounds. Opponents have just a 21 yard average on 17 kick return attempts.
In the return game, #11 Cameron Weir is dangerous in the punt return game with a 10.75 yard average on 12 attempts. He has a 57 yard TD return to his credit this season. UND has also blocked a punt this season. #6 Charles Langama is also a dangerous kick returner with a 30 yard average on 17 attempts including a 99 yard TD return. The Jackrabbit coverage units will need to be on their game this week.
Predictions
This is a tough one. UND is entering the meat of their schedule after a soft non-conference schedule (outside of UND) and their first three games of MVFC play were supposedly against the bottom three of the MVFC. With UND’s yearly struggles on the road, this game is approaching “must win” territory for the Fighting Hawks. I expect the Alerus Center to rocking and we know their PA Cheerleader will be about as annoying as it gets. However, this team is beat up. Can the return of Lance Rucker give them enough of a boost? I’m not sure. This is the Jacks third big MVFC game of the young conference season. They are tested and Chase Mason will be back.
Jackrabbits 38- Fighting Hawks 20
Go Jacks!
Matt
