MOORHEAD, Minn. -- Minnesota State Moorhead football begins the 2026 campaign at home this Thursday, August 27 in a week zero clash with visiting Northern Michigan. Kickoff from SCHEELS Field at Alex Nemzek Stadium is set for 6 p.m. 

Live video and stats will be available at msumdragons.com. Midco Sports Plus will be the official streaming home of MSUM athletics with Steve d'Eustachio doing play-by-play and Chase Montplaisir on color commentary. Fans can also listen to the game live on AM 1100/FM 92.3 with 'Big Game' James McCarty and Jace Denman on the call. 

Notes

Matchup History...Thursday's game will be the second half of a home and home agreement between the Dragons and Wildcats. Moorhead vanquished Northern Michigan in Marquette, Mich., a season ago on August 28, 2025. MSUM would fall behind by 21 points in the first half before rebounding for a 44-37 conquest. Last season's tilt was also the first time a Dragon team played a team from the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Conference (GLIAC). 

Preseason Buzz... Moorhead commanded the eighth spot in the NSIC preseason coaches' rankings behind 86 total points, including a fourth-place projection in the North Division. Additionally, senior offensive lineman Nick Haugrud and senior defensive back Adam Kallenbach were tabbed as MSUM's 'players to watch' in 2026. A four-year starter along the Dragon offensive line, Haugrud is set to start his 32nd career game when the Dragons kick off on August 27. Kallenbach is set to conclude his stellar Dragon career in 2026 following an all-conference season in 2025, tallying a career-high 46 tackles. 

Coach Speak...Steve Laqua had this to say about his 2026 outfit: "This is one of the younger teams we've had in recent years, with many players stepping into meaningful game action for the first time. Replacing a talented senior class is never easy, and there are undoubtedly big shoes to fill," said Laqua, who enters his 16th season at the helm in the fall. "As we move through the season, our identity will continue to evolve. The key will be discovering what this team does best, building around those strengths, and making steady progress each week."

We're Going Early...When the Dragons and Wildcats kick off on Thursday, it will be the second-earliest recorded game in Dragon football history (Aug. 27). The earliest dated game in the history of the program was August 26, 2010. On that day, Moorhead fell to Missouri Southern in Joplin, Mo. (30-0). Head coach Steve Laqua would take over as leader the following fall. 

Veterans In The Trenches...While Moorhead bolsters a host of young talent in 2026, one area of veteranship lies in the offensive and defensive lines. Moorhead welcomes back four starters to the offensive line led by Haugrud and fellow captain Manny Wilson. Additionally, Luke Rogen and Jacob Dorner are back to protect the Dragon offense. In total, those four have played in a combined 67 games for MSUM. The same can be said on the defensive line as Zach Dahl, Denver Piechowski and Will Martin are back, coupled with Dean Lempka and Derek Tibbetts. Dahl and Piechowski alone have played in 43 combined games for the Dragons. 

Quick Scout...Northern Michigan is set to enter a new era under first-year head coach Matt Janus. After running a triple option scheme in 2025, it appears the Wildcats will look to a more spread offense in 2026. That's not to say the rush game is completely dead. Running back Noah Dobert is coming off an All-GLIAC season, including 97 rush yards against MSUM last season. On defense, look for senior linebacker Jax Hertel, who was an All-GLIAC performer in 2025. 

2026 Positional Glance

Quarterbacks
With the departure of Jack Strand, MSUM will look to a new signal caller in 2026. Junior Timmy Guler is the lone quarterback on the roster to take game reps in 2025. Guler played in two games for Moorhead, throwing for 112 yards and two scores. Guler is also an adept runner in the open field. Sophomore Drew Huebner has elevated his play after traveling with the team as a true freshman. Huebner's arm strength and size is surely
something to watch in 2026. 

Running Backs
Familiar names will occupy the Dragon running back corp in 2026 led by workhorse senior Tyson Brandt. The Brookings, S.D., native toted the ball 90 times in 2025, racing for 578 yards and three scores on the ground. Brandt also caught two touchdowns as a junior as well. Speedy sophomore Kevon Johnson looks to provide change of pace in the backfield for the Dragons as well junior Isaiah Favors. 

Tight Ends
In the ever-important tight end role, Moorhead will be fortunate to have a wealth of experience. Fifth-year Owen Wiersma will take snaps at both tight end and running back to offer some versatility for MSUM. Wiersma had a strong year on the ground in 2025, rushing for 262 yards and three touchdowns. Junior Gavin Lill will also use his size and strength to get involved in the Dragon pass game. Lill caught two touchdowns in 2026.

Wide Receivers
Much like the quarterback position, the wide receiver room has seen tremendous turnover from 2025. However, the group still offers up an incredible amount of talent led by senior captain Kelly Johnson. The Alexandria, Minn., native caught 21 passes and a touchdown last season. Sophomore Kalen Lucas is also expected to take on a larger role in the offense in 2026. Lucas tallied 211 receiving yards as a freshman with one touchdown. 

Offensive Line
If there is one area without question marks, it is the Dragon offensive line. Led by captains Nick Haugrud and Manny Wilson, MSUM's front five is stacking up as one of the most experienced (and talented) groups in the Northern Sun. On top of Haugrud and Wilson, Moorhead welcomes back stalwarts Luke Rogen and Jacob Dorner as well as multi-year contributors like Kyle Nemzek, Dallen Ernst and Joe Rose. 

Defensive Line
Leaders and heavy contributors make up a strong defensive line room under defensive coordinator Jesse Currier. Captain Zach Dahl leads the group following an All-NSIC campaign in 2025. Dahl recorded 42 total tackles with three tackles for loss. Flanking Dahl will be the ball-hawking Denver Piechowski, known for his pesky playmaking in the backfield. Add to that sure-tacklers in Dean Lempka and Derek Tibbetts. On the interior, junior Will Martin will take on a large role alongside sophomores Brodie Brunssen, Ben Kolodziej and Dylan Hunt. 

Linebackers
Replacing a veteran-laden crew can often times be a challenge in college football. Luckily for the Dragons, their linebacker corp shapes up nicely, despite youth in some spots. Senior Josh Balstad will hold down the middle while sophomores Preston Johnson, Gannon Bolgrean, Reign Battle and Jake Schaefer will flank at the Will and Sam spots. Expect to see the Dragon linebackers in a variety of areas (including the secondary) based on opponent packaging.

Secondary
Captain Gavin Jarchow and fifth-year Adam Kallenbach make up the backend of a very experienced Dragon secondary. Kallenbach was an All-NSIC First Team performer in 2025 while Jarchow was third on the team with 72 total tackles. Add to that experienced players in Kennan Stowers and Micah Runion, too. On the boundary, senior Evan Miles will set the tone for the Dragon corners alongside talented sophomore Jacion Owens. Junior Seth Newbern and sophomore Abe Monson will also play a factor in larger pass packages. 

Specialists
On special teams, the questions do not necessarily apply to the specialists themselves. Junior kicker Max Watson  is back after a 2025 that saw him set the MSUM single-season record for PAT conversions. Sophomore punter Tristan Ulmer made an immediate splash in 2025, putting 12 kicks inside the 20-yard line. Snapping duties remain a question mark as freshman Logan Kleist is set to longsnap while sophomore Aidan Anderson will handle short snaps. In the return game, Kelly Johnson and Kalen Lucas will field punts while Payton Longmeyer and Preston Johnson will take kickoffs.