D2-CFB Game Preview: MSU-Moorhead Dragons (3-1) vs. Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs (4-0)

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Kickoff Time: 12:00 PM CT
Venue: James S. Malosky Stadium, Duluth, Minnesota
Event: UMD Homecoming & Hall of Fame Celebration
Forecast: Sunny skies, high of 66°F, winds 7–10 mph from the northwest, 0% chance of precipitation

Team Overview & Recent Form

MSU Moorhead Dragons

Record: 3–1 overall (NSIC)

Last 4 Games:

W vs. Northern Michigan (44–37)

W vs. Southwest Minnesota State (28–21)

W vs. Winona State (35–31)

L vs. Wayne State (17–24)

Points For / Against: 124 PF / 113 PA

Streak: L1

Offensive Highlights:

QB Tommy Falk: 1,100+ passing yards, 10 TDs

WR Jake Poitier: 3 TDs in last 2 games

Defense has allowed 30+ points in 2 of last 4 games

Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs

Record: 4–0 overall (NSIC)

National Rank: No. 16 (AFCA), No. 11 (D2Football.com)

Last 4 Games:

W vs. Upper Iowa (45–10)

W vs. Bemidji State (38–35)

W vs. Concordia-St. Paul (28–14)

W vs. Minot State (41–7)

Points For / Against: 152 PF / 66 PA

Streak: W4

Offensive Highlights:

QB Kyle Walljasper: Dual-threat leader with 12 total TDs

RB Cade Osterman: 5 rushing TDs

Defense ranks top 3 in NSIC for sacks and takeaways

Series History

2024: UMD 34, MSUM 17

2023: UMD 42, MSUM 21

2022: UMD 26, MSUM 21

Trend: UMD has won 3 straight meetings

Historical Edge: UMD leads the all-time series comfortably

Notable: MSUM hasn’t won in Duluth since 2015

Injury Report

MSU Moorhead:

LB1 questionable (shoulder)

WR2 probable (hamstring)

Minnesota Duluth:

OL starter out (knee)

DB2 probable (concussion protocol)

Key Matchups to Watch

MSUM QB Tommy Falk vs. UMD Secondary:
Falk has thrown for 300+ yards in 3 of 4 games. UMD’s secondary has 5 INTs and ranks top 5 in NSIC pass defense.

UMD RB Cade Osterman vs. MSUM Front Seven:
Osterman averages 6.2 yards/carry. MSUM has allowed 150+ rushing yards in 3 of 4 games.

Turnover Margin:
UMD is +7 in turnover differential; MSUM sits at -1. Ball control could swing momentum.

Betting Trends:

UMD is 4–0 ATS in 2025

MSUM is 2–2 ATS in 2025

Over has hit in 3 of UMD’s last 4 games

UMD has covered in 3 straight vs. MSUM

Historical Betting Results

Sep 30, 2024: UMD 34, MSUM 17

Spread: UMD -5.5 → Covered

Total: 51.0 → Over hit

Sep 23, 2023: UMD 42, MSUM 21

Spread: UMD -6.5 → Covered

Total: 58.0 → Over hit

Sep 24, 2022: UMD 26, MSUM 21

Spread: UMD -3.5 → Covered

Total: 47.5 → Over hit

Game Odds

MSU-Moorhead Dragons             54

Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs        – 6.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 26, 2025