Are you ready for Fighting Sioux football? With fall camp around the corner, we're counting down the days to the return of UND football. With 57 days to go until the pigskin flies through the air for the first time, we'll be previewing all 11 UND opponents during that stretch right here on FightingSioux.com.
Countdown to camp: 28, Countdown to season: 57 days
Game 1
Who: Drake
What: Game 1, Military Appreciation Day
When: Thursday, Sept. 1 at 7 p.m.
Where: Alerus Center
Why: Because it's football season. Tailgating. Touchdowns. Hard hits. Defense.
UND officially gets back onto the field on a rare Thursday night contest, taking on Drake for the first time in school history on Sept. 1. Drake, who went 7-4 last season, finished third in the Pioneer Football League.
A player to watch for the Bulldogs is senior quarterback Mike Piatkowski, who threw for 1,854 yards and 15 touchdowns with just seven interceptions in 10 starts. Senior cornerback and return specialist Michael Lahart is the Bulldogs' captain. Lahart was an honorable mention All-Pioneer League player at corner and as a returner.
It's the first time since 2008 that UND will open its season at home in the Alerus Center. That year, the first in the Division I transition, the Sioux beat Texas A&M-Kingsville 40-14 in the opener.
That game was also the last time the Sioux played a home game on a Thursday. Overall, the Sioux have played 16 games on Thursdays, and are 3-1 in season-opening games played on a Thursday.
Head coach Chris Creighton and his Bulldogs will arrive in Grand Forks with one game already under their belts. The Drake won the Global Kilimanjaro Bowl 17-7 over the CONADEIP All-Stars from Mexico in a game played in Arusha, Tanzania on May 21.
A week later the entire team, coaches and staff scaled 19,340 feet to the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest point in Africa.
UND will also celebrate Military Appreciation Day. All active military members and up to three family members can get into the game free. The offer is valid for the first 1,000 starting on Aug. 18.
