Updated Bulldogs incoming freshmen stats (as of Monday, Feb. 19):
F, Max Plante (U.S. National U-18) – 10 goals, 28 assists, 38 points, +13 in 31 games
F, Zam Plante (Fargo Force) – 20-34=54, +27, 38. Notes: Third in USHL individual scoring, with 14 points (five goals) in last five games.
F, Jayson Shaugabay (Green Bay) – 11-26=37, -1, 41. Notes: 6 points (4 goals) in last five games.
My projection is 9-2 overall and 9-1 in the NSIC, with losses at Slippery Rock and Wayne State. That record should place UMD in the conference championship fight and produce another NCAA playoff berth.
The Vikings are too talented at receiver, too well coached and too versatile defensively to dismiss. They are also too uncertain at quarterback, center, safety and defensive-line depth to declare a championship contender. The most reasonable prediction is 10-7.
MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota will enter the 2026 football season with an established quarterback, a proven running back, one of the Big Ten’s best pass rushers and enough veteran leadership to become a better team than the one that won eight games last year. The problem for P.J. Fleck is
DULUTH, Minn. — Ja’Vonte Johnson threw two touchdown passes in the final two minutes, including the game-winner to LeDarian McAllister with 22 seconds remaining, as the Minnesota Monsters rallied past the Beaumont Renegades 42-40 Saturday night at Amsoil Arena. Minnesota trailed 40-29 before Johnson connected with Shiloh
