This year, the UND Fighting Hawks Football team will be the first to take the field with the new Fighting Hawks logo displayed proudly on the helmet. Many players are beginning to embrace the name as well as some recruits as well. UND Football was an agonizing loss at home against the Idaho State Bengals away from making the playoffs last season. If they win that game they maybe would have had another chance at an upset in the Fargodome in the second round.
Going forward, UND’s slogan this year is Leave No Doubt. This team wants to show the selection committee its best week in and week out. This team is lead by QB Keaton Studsrud and a strong defense that returns nine starters. Every player in coach Bubba Schweigert’s lockeroom has bought in to his strong run first smashmouth style of play which has generated opportunities for turnovers and big plays on offense.
One other thing remains to be discussed, the logo. UND Football is absolutely leading the way on campus through volunteering to be the first team to wear the logo on its helmets. Other teams cannot due to jersey ordering rules and requirements.I do not begrudge any of the other teams for choosing not to or for not being able to this season.
I do praise UND Football and its staff of leaders captained by coach Schweigert for finding a way to integrate the logo as quickly as possible. Maybe the football team’s leadership will help a few UND supporters realize that they truly support the players and not just the logo. While the logo matters, what matters more is the people wearing them. UND Football is embracing the logo in a quick manner,I look forward to the day where the rest of UND does.
The season cannot start soon enough. Go Fighting Hawks. Most importantly, GO UND!