North Dakota Will Host Indiana State This Saturday
The Fighting Hawks open conference play at home looking to bounce back from their first loss of the season.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Football
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The University of North Dakota football team faces Indiana State this Saturday at 12pm. The Fighting Hawks enter the matchup with a 3-1 record following a 34-7 loss to Nebraska last Saturday.
Why it matters
Coming off their first defeat of the season, the team is prioritizing improved communication on the field. A victory in this Missouri Valley Conference opener would move the program to a 4-1 record.
Defensive back Grant Noland has recorded 16 total tackles, 12 solo tackles, and five passes defended through the first four games. UND defeated Indiana State 46-17 during their previous meeting last season.
The players
Grant Noland
Grant Noland is a defensive player for the University of North Dakota who has started every game this season.
University of North Dakota
The University of North Dakota is a public research university in Grand Forks that competes in the Missouri Valley Conference.
The details
Grant Noland, who has started every game this season, tallied eight tackles during the loss to Nebraska. The team is currently ranked 7th and aims to leverage their defensive performance to regain momentum.
Timeline
Last season, Grant Noland started as a freshman.
Last Saturday, UND lost to Nebraska 34-7.
This Saturday at 12pm, UND plays Indiana State in a conference opener.
Season Trajectory
This conference opener serves as a critical test for North Dakota as they aim to solidify their standing in the Missouri Valley Conference. The result will heavily influence the team's momentum heading into the remainder of the season's divisional schedule.
The 12pm kickoff requires fans to adjust their weekend viewing schedules to match the early conference start time. A win would improve the team's conference standing to 1-0 while maintaining their strong overall win percentage.
The takeaway
Maintaining defensive consistency remains the primary focus for the team following their recent loss. Fans should watch for how the secondary responds to the challenge of conference-level offensive schemes.
Further reading
Find more coverage of the team in our Football section.
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