2025 North Dakota Fighting Hawks football team

2025 North Dakota Fighting Hawks football
ConferenceMissouri Valley Football Conference
Ranking
STATSNo. 19
FCS CoachesNo. 23
Record8–6 (5–3 MVFC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorIsaac Fruechte (2nd season)
Offensive schemeSpread
Base defense4–2–5[1]
Home stadiumAlerus Center
2025 Missouri Valley Football Conference standings
Conf. Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 1 North Dakota State $^   8 – 0     12 – 1  
No. 12 South Dakota ^   6 – 2     10 – 5  
No. 17т Illinois State ^   5 – 3     12 – 4  
No. 19 North Dakota ^   5 – 3     8 – 6  
No. 14 Youngstown State ^   5 – 3     8 – 5  
No. 16 South Dakota State ^   4 – 4     9 – 5  
No. 23 Southern Illinois   4 – 4     7 – 5  
Northern Iowa   1 – 7     3 – 9  
Murray State   1 – 7     1 – 11  
Indiana State   1 – 7     3 – 9  
  • $ – Conference champion
  • ^ – FCS playoff participant
As of December 27, 2025
Rankings from STATS Poll

The 2025 North Dakota Fighting Hawks football team represented the University of North Dakota as a member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) during the 2025 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Fighting Hawks were led by first-year head coach Eric Schmidt. Schmidt was taking over for former coach Bubba Schweigert, who stepped down after the 2024 season.[2] They played home games at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks, North Dakota.

Preseason

MVFC poll

Main article: 2025 Missouri Valley Football Conference season § Preseason

The Missouri Valley Football Conference released its preseason poll on July 21, 2025, voted on by league athletic directors, coaches, and media members. The Fighting Hawks were predicted to finish seventh in the conference.[3]

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
August 306:00 pmat No. 17 (FBS) Kansas State*
ESPN+L 35–3851,927
September 66:00 pmPortland State*No. 20
Midco Sports/ESPN+W 50–2011,469
September 132:00 p.m.at No. 5 Montana*No. 16
Midco Sports/ESPN+L 23–2426,492
September 203:00 pmValparaiso*No. 16
  • Alerus Center
  • Grand Forks, ND
Midco Sports/ESPN+W 58–711,424
October 44:00 p.m.at Northern IowaNo. 15
Midco Sports/ESPN+W 35–712,048
October 113:00 pmYoungstown StateNo. 13
  • Alerus Center
  • Grand Forks, ND
Midco Sports/ESPN+W 35–1711,960
October 182:00 pmat No. 12 Southern IllinoisNo. 9
ESPN+W 38–195,132
October 253:00 pmIndiana StateNo. 8
  • Alerus Center
  • Grand Forks, ND
Midco Sports/ESPN+W 46–1710,618
November 11:00 pmat South DakotaNo. 8
Midco Sports/ESPN+L 21–266,809
November 81:00 pmNo. 1 North Dakota StateNo. 13
Midco Sports/ESPN+L 10–1512,749
November 1511:00 amat Murray StateNo. 13
ESPN+W 35–176,783
November 221:00 pmNo. 22 South Dakota StateNo. 13
  • Alerus Center
  • Grand Forks, ND
Midco Sports/ESPN+L 31–34 OT11,396
November 2912:00 p.m.at No. 6 Tennessee Tech*No. 19
ESPN+W 31–64,641
December 612:00 p.m.at No. 5 Tarleton State*No. 19
ESPN+L 13–3119,742
  • *Non-conference game
  • Homecoming
  • Rankings from STATS Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Central time

[4][5]

Rankings

Further information: 2025 NCAA Division I FCS football rankings
Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
RV = Received votes т = Tied with team above or below
Week
PollPre12345678910111213Final
STATSRV20161614151398813131319
CoachesRV22171715т141211101015181623

Game summaries

at No. 17 (FBS) Kansas State

See also: 2025 Kansas State Wildcats football team
North Dakota Fighting Hawks (0–0) at No. 17 (FBS) Kansas State Wildcats (0–1) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Fighting Hawks 7 14 01435
No. 17 (FBS) Wildcats 10 7 14738

at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium, Manhattan, Kansas

  • Date: August 30, 2025
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Cloudy • Temperature: 73 °F (23 °C) • Wind: SE at 5 miles per hour (8.0 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 51,927
  • Referee: Tim Rich
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Shawn Kenney (play-by-play) and Barrett Brooks (analyst)
Game information
First Quarter
  • KSU – Luis Rodriguez 30-yard field goal, 5:26. Wildcats 3–0. Drive: 12 plays, 67 yards, 6:11.
  • UND – Jerry Kaminski 1-yard run (C. J. Elrichs kick), 2:54. Fighting Hawks 7–3. Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 2:32.
  • KSU – Jayce Brown 44-yard pass from Avery Johnson (Luis Rodriguez kick), 1:55. Wildcats 10–7. Drive: 5 plays, 68 yards, 0:54.
Second Quarter
  • UND – Jerry Kaminski 1-yard run (C. J. Elrichs kick), 7:46. Fighting Hawks 14–10. Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 5:50.
  • KSU – Jaron Tibbs 30-yard pass from Avery Johnson (Luis Rodriguez kick), 4:15. Wildcats 17–14. Drive: 6 plays, 66 yards, 3:12.
  • UND – Sawyer Seidl 16-yard run (C. J. Elrichs kick), 0:24. Fighting Hawks 21–17. Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, 3:51.
Third Quarter
  • KSU – DeVon Rice 9-yard run (Luis Rodriguez kick), 8:41. Wildcats 24–21. Drive: 10 plays, 57 yards, 4:47.
  • KSU – DeVon Rice 13-yard run (Luis Rodriguez kick), 3:41. Wildcats 31–21. Drive: 8 plays, 77 yards, 3:58.
Fourth Quarter
  • UND – Korey Tai 22-yard pass from Jerry Kaminski (C. J. Elrichs kick), 10:12. Wildcats 31–28. Drive: 9 plays, 71 yards, 4:35.
  • UND – Sawyer Seidl 20-yard run (C. J. Elrichs kick), 4:19. Fighting Hawks 35–31. Drive: 9 plays, 70 yards, 4:41.
  • KSU – Joe Jackson 6-yard pass from Avery Johnson (Luis Rodriguez kick), 0:42. Wildcats 38–35. Drive: 10 plays, 81 yards, 1:03.
Statistics UND KSU
First downs 23 22
Total yards 354 461
Rushing yards 102 143
Passing yards 252 318
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 24–39–0 28–43–0
Time of possession 31:14 28:46
Team Category Player Statistics
North Dakota Passing Jerry Kaminski 23/38, 231 yards, TD
Rushing Sawyer Seidl 8 rushes, 62 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Caden Dennis 2 receptions, 41 yards
Kansas State Passing Avery Johnson 28/43, 318 yards, 3 TD
Rushing Joe Jackson 11 rushes, 55 yards
Receiving Jayce Brown 12 receptions, 109 yards, TD

Portland State

See also: 2025 Portland State Vikings football team
Portland State Vikings (0–2) vs. No. 20 North Dakota Fighting Hawks (0–1) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Vikings 6 0 7720
No. 20 Fighting Hawks 22 14 7750

at Alerus Center, Grand Forks, ND

  • Date: September 6, 2025
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Indoors; 70 °F (21 °C)
  • Game attendance: 11,469
  • Referee: John Shay
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Brian Shawn (play-by-play) and Ryan Kasowski (analyst)
Game information
First Quarter
  • (10:37) UND – Nathan Hromadka 5-yard pass from Jerry Kaminski, CJ Elrichs kick (Drive: 9 plays, 61 yards, 4:17; North Dakota 7–0)
  • (8:43) UND – Jerry Kaminski 7-yard run, Simon Romfo rush (Drive: 4 plays, 17 yards, 1:49; North Dakota 15–0)
  • (4:36) UND – Deng Deng 4-yard pass from Jerry Kaminski, CJ Elrichs kick (Drive: 6 plays, 61 yards, 3:05; North Dakota 22–0)
  • (0:48) PRST – Jaylen Lynch 34-yard pass from John-Keawe Sagapolutele (Drive: 7 plays, 77 yards, 3:41; North Dakota 22–6)
Second Quarter
  • (11:29) UND – Nathan Hromadka 20-yard pass from Jerry Kaminski, CJ Elrichs kick (Drive: 5 plays, 60 yards, 2:03; North Dakota 29–6)
  • (4:27) UND – Gaven Ziebarth 5-yard run, CJ Elrichs kick (Drive: 3 plays, 25 yards, 1:12; North Dakota 36–6)
Third Quarter
  • (9:07) UND – Tray Kuntz 4-yard pass from Jerry Kaminski, CJ Elrichs kick (Drive: 6 plays, 44 yards, 2:48; North Dakota 43–6)
  • (2:25) PRST – Delon Thompson 3-yard run, Mathias Uribe kick (Drive: 13 plays, 80 yards, 6:35; North Dakota 43–13)
Fourth Quarter
  • (10:55) UND – Javance Tupou'ata-Johnson 2-yard run, CJ Elrichs kick (Drive: 12 plays, 90 yards, 6:26; North Dakota 50–13)
  • (4:30) PRST – Jaxton Helmstetler 70-yard fumble recovery, Mathias Uribe kick (North Dakota 50–20)
Statistics PRST UND
First downs 12 27
Total yards 228 446
Rushing yards 82 275
Passing yards 146 171
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 11–18–2 15–23–0
Time of possession 24:26 35:34
Team Category Player Statistics
Portland State Passing John-Keawe Sagapolutele 11/17, 146 yards, TD, 2 INT
Rushing Terence Loville 4 carries, 30 yards
Receiving Jaylen Lynch 2 receptions, 41 yards, TD
North Dakota Passing Jerry Kaminski 14/21, 164 yards, 4 TD
Rushing Jerry Kaminski 8 carries, 70 yards, TD
Receiving Nathan Hromadka 3 receptions, 41 yards, 2 TD

at No. 5 Montana

See also: 2025 Montana Grizzlies football team
No. 16 North Dakota Fighting Hawks (1–1) vs. No. 5 Montana Grizzlies (1–1) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 16 Fighting Hawks - - --0
No. 5 Grizzlies - - --0

at Washington–Grizzly Stadium, Missoula, MT

  • Date: September 13, 2025
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m.
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Trey Bender (play-by-play), Jordan Tripp (analyst) and Kyle Hansen (sideline)
Statistics UND MONT
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
North Dakota Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Montana Passing
Rushing
Receiving

Valparaiso

See also: 2025 Valparaiso Beacons football team
Valparaiso Beacons (1–2) vs. No. 16 North Dakota Fighting Hawks (1–2) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Beacons - - --0
No. 16 Fighting Hawks - - --0

at Alerus Center, Grand Forks, ND

  • Date: September 20, 2025
  • Game time: 3:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Indoors; 70 °F (21 °C)
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Alex Heinert (play-by-play) and Ryan Kasowski (analyst)
Statistics VAL UND
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Valparaiso Passing
Rushing
Receiving
North Dakota Passing
Rushing
Receiving

at Northern Iowa

See also: 2025 Northern Iowa Panthers football team
No. 15 North Dakota Fighting Hawks (2–2) vs. Northern Iowa Panthers (2–2) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 15 Fighting Hawks 7 7 14735
Panthers 0 0 077

at UNI-Dome, Cedar Falls, IA

  • Date: October 4, 2025
  • Game time: 4:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Indoors; 70 °F (21 °C)
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Brad Wells (play-by-play) and Justin Surrency (analyst)
Statistics UND UNI
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
North Dakota Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Northern Iowa Passing
Rushing
Receiving

Youngstown State

See also: 2025 Youngstown State Penguins football team
Youngstown State Penguins (3–2) vs. No. 13 North Dakota Fighting Hawks (3–2) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Penguins 0 7 10017
No. 13 Fighting Hawks 14 14 0735

at Alerus Center, Grand Forks, ND

  • Date: October 11, 2025
  • Game time: 3:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Indoors • Temperature: 72 °F (22 °C)
  • Game attendance: 11,960
  • Referee: Jason Berg
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Alex Heinert (play-by-play) and Ryan Kasowski (analyst)
Game information
First Quarter
  • (8:18) UND – B.J. Fleming 9-yard pass from Jerry Kaminski, C.J. Elrichs kick (Drive: 9 plays, 67 yards, 4:27; UND 7–0)
  • (2:44) UND – Haydn Stay 21-yard pass from Jerry Kaminski, C.J. Elrichs kick (Drive: 9 plays, 59 yards, 4:03; UND 14–0)
Second Quarter
  • (13:27) YSU – Mike Solomon 20-yard pass from Beau Brungard, Andrew Lastovka kick (Drive: 8 plays, 42 yards, 4:08; UND 14–7)
  • (12:49) UND – Gaven Ziebarth 51-yard run, C.J. Elrichs kick (Drive: 2 plays, 58 yards, 0:32; UND 21–7)
  • (8:08) UND – B.J. Fleming 14-yard pass from Jerry Kaminski, C.J. Elrichs kick (Drive: 5 plays, 48 yards, 2:17; UND 28–7)
Third Quarter
  • (7:44) YSU – Andrew Lastovka 34-yard field goal (Drive: 5 plays, 45 yards, 1:29; UND 28–10)
  • (4:22) YSU – Kylon Wilson 37-yard pass from Beal Brungard, Andrew Lastovka kick (Drive: 4 plays, 86 yards, 1:25; UND 28–17)
Fourth Quarter
  • (6:40) UND – Gaven Ziebarth 1-yard run, C.J. Elrichs kick (Drive: 16 plays, 72 yards, 7:57; UND 35–17)
Statistics YSU UND
First downs 17 21
Total yards 377 374
Rushing yards 108 228
Passing yards 269 146
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 18–33–0 17–27–0
Time of possession 28:04 31:56
Team Category Player Statistics
Youngstown State Passing Beau Brungard 18/33, 269 yards, 2 TD
Rushing Beau Brungard 19 carries, 71 yards
Receiving Ky Wilson 4 receptions, 102 yards, TD
North Dakota Passing Jerry Kaminski 17/27, 146 yards, 3 TD
Rushing Sawyer Seidl 20 carries, 114 yards
Receiving B.J. Fleming 5 receptions, 84 yards, 2 TD

at No. 12 Southern Illinois

See also: 2025 Southern Illinois Salukis football team
No. 9 North Dakota Fighting Hawks (4–2) vs. No. 12 Southern Illinois Salukis (4–2) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 9 Fighting Hawks - - --0
No. 12 Salukis - - --0

at Saluki Stadium, Carbondale, IL

  • Date: October 18, 2025
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m.
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Larry Larson (play-by-play) and Kerry Martin (analyst)
Statistics UND SIU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
North Dakota Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Southern Illinois Passing
Rushing
Receiving

Indiana State

See also: 2025 Indiana State Sycamores football team
Indiana State Sycamores (2–5) vs. No. 8 North Dakota Fighting Hawks (5–2) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Sycamores - - --0
No. 8 Fighting Hawks - - --0

at Alerus Center, Grand Forks, ND

  • Date: October 25, 2025
  • Game time: 3:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Indoors; 70 °F (21 °C)
  • TV: ESPN+
Statistics INST UND
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Indiana State Passing
Rushing
Receiving
North Dakota Passing
Rushing
Receiving

at South Dakota (Sitting Bull Trophy)

See also: 2025 South Dakota Coyotes football team and Sitting Bull Trophy
No. 8 North Dakota Fighting Hawks (6–2) vs. South Dakota Coyotes (5–4) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 8 Fighting Hawks - - --0
Coyotes - - --0

at DakotaDome, Vermillion, SD

  • Date: November 1, 2025
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Indoors; 70 °F (21 °C)
  • TV: ESPN+
Statistics UND SDAK
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
North Dakota Passing
Rushing
Receiving
South Dakota Passing
Rushing
Receiving

No. 1 North Dakota State (Nickel Trophy)

See also: 2025 North Dakota State Bison football team and Nickel Trophy
No. 1 North Dakota State Bison (9–0) vs. No. 13 North Dakota Fighting Hawks (6–3) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 1 Bison - - --0
No. 13 Fighting Hawks - - --0

at Alerus Center, Grand Forks, ND

  • Date: November 8, 2025
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Indoors; 70 °F (21 °C)
  • TV: ESPN+
Statistics NDSU UND
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
North Dakota State Passing
Rushing
Receiving
North Dakota Passing
Rushing
Receiving

at Murray State

See also: 2025 Murray State Racers football team
No. 13 North Dakota Fighting Hawks (6–4) vs. Murray State Racers (0–10) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 13 Fighting Hawks - - --0
Racers - - --0

at Roy Stewart Stadium, Murray, KY

  • Date: November 15, 2025
  • Game time: 11:00 a.m.
  • TV: ESPN+
Statistics UND MUR
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
North Dakota Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Murray State Passing
Rushing
Receiving

No. 22 South Dakota State

See also: 2025 South Dakota State Jackrabbits football team
No. 22 South Dakota State Jackrabbits (7–4) vs. No. 13 North Dakota Fighting Hawks (7–4) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 22 Jackrabbits - - --0
No. 13 Fighting Hawks - - --0

at Alerus Center, Grand Forks, ND

  • Date: November 22, 2025
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m.
  • TV: ESPN+
Statistics SDST UND
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
South Dakota State Passing
Rushing
Receiving
North Dakota Passing
Rushing
Receiving

References

  1. ^ "Eric Schmidt plans to implement new base defense at UND for the first time since the 1990s". Grand Forks Herald. December 13, 2024. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  2. ^ "Head Coach Bubba Schweigert to step down, move into senior administrative role with UND Athletics". fightinghawks.com. North Dakota Fighting Hawks. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
  3. ^ "Missouri Valley Football Announces predicted order of finish". valley-football.org. Missouri Valley Football Conference. July 21, 2025. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  4. ^ "2025 Football Schedule". fightinghawks.com. North Dakota Fighting Hawks. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
  5. ^ "2025 North Dakota Football Schedule". fbschedules.com. FBSchedules. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
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