GRAND FORKS, N.D. – The University of North Dakota football program was picked to finish fourth in the annual Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) preseason poll, as announced by the conference on Tuesday. A panel of league coaches, communications directors and media conducted the voting.
 
UND received a total of 211 points, including a pair of first-place votes, to sit in fourth. South Dakota State (312), Illinois State (256), Youngstown State (235) and South Dakota (196) rounded out the top five, with each receiving at least one first-place vote to tie a conference record (1993, 2001, 2008, 2026).
 
In addition, the league also announced its 2026 MVFC Preseason Watch List and features a record-high 11 players from North Dakota. The group is highlighted by 2026 Stats Perform FCS Preseason All-America Team selections Liam Becher (OL), Lance Rucker (DL) and Kaden Vig (DL) as well as 2025 All-MVFC selections Grant Noland (DB) and Mason South (FB).
 
Also selected to the team were Jerry Kaminski (QB), Deng Deng (WR), Ben Buxa (OL), Trace Thaden (OL), Micheal Devereaux (LB) and Luke Silvernale (P).
 
North Dakota will open the 2026 season at home for the first time since 2023 on Aug. 27 at 7:00 p.m. against LIU.
 
For more information on North Dakota football, follow on social media @UNDfootball or visit FightingHawks.com.