So, you’re looking for the latest university of north dakota football score and wondering how the Fighting Hawks ended up where they did. It was a wild ride. Honestly, if you followed the 2025 season, you know it was a rollercoaster that started with a near-upset of a Big 12 powerhouse and ended in the heart of Texas during the FCS playoffs.
The final meaningful score of the campaign came on December 6, 2025. UND traveled down to Stephenville to take on Tarleton State in the second round of the NCAA Division I FCS playoffs. It wasn't the result the fans in Grand Forks wanted. The Fighting Hawks fell 31–13, officially ending their season with an 8–6 overall record.
It’s easy to just look at a final score and move on, but that game—and the season leading up to it—had a lot of moving parts.
Breaking Down the Last University of North Dakota Football Score
That playoff exit against Tarleton State was a bit of a grind. Jerry Kaminski, who really stepped into his own as the leader of this offense, threw for 112 yards but couldn't quite find the end zone through the air. He did use his legs, though, rushing for 63 yards and providing one of the few sparks in a game where the Tarleton defense just seemed to have an answer for everything.
Sawyer Seidl was the workhorse all year, but the playoff atmosphere is a different beast.
Before that, the Hawks had a massive high. They absolutely dismantled Tennessee Tech in the first round of the playoffs with a 31–6 statement win. That game was classic UND: stifling defense and a balanced attack. But as often happens in the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC), the grind of the regular season eventually catches up to you.
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Why the 2025 Scores Mattered
If you look back at the schedule, the scores tell a story of "almosts" and "statement wins."
- The Kansas State Squeaker: Opening the season with a 38–35 loss to No. 17 Kansas State. Nobody expected it to be that close. It put the FCS on notice.
- The Potato Bowl Blowout: A 50–20 win over Portland State. The Alerus Center was rocking, and the offense looked unstoppable.
- The Rivalry Heartbreaks: Losing 15–10 to North Dakota State and then a 34–31 overtime thriller to South Dakota State.
Basically, UND was a few plays away from being a 10-win team in the regular season.
Looking Ahead to 2026: The New Schedule
Now that the 2025 dust has settled, everyone is looking at what's next. The university of north dakota football score trackers will be busy again starting in late August. The 2026 schedule is already creating some buzz because of the variety in the non-conference slate.
The Hawks open at home against LIU on August 27, 2026. It’s a Thursday night game. There is something special about college football under the lights on a weeknight—the energy is just different. After that, they host St. Thomas on September 5.
The real test, though? September 19.
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UND travels to Lincoln to face the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Regardless of what you think about Nebraska lately, playing in front of 85,000+ people at Memorial Stadium is a massive hurdle. It’s the kind of game that defines a program's recruiting pitch for the next three years.
Key Matchups for 2026
- At Nebraska (Sept 19): This is the "money game," but also a huge talent barometer.
- Vs. South Dakota (Oct 17): A massive home game in the middle of the MVFC gauntlet.
- Vs. North Dakota State (Nov 21): The season finale. The Nickel Trophy. Enough said.
The Stats That Defined the Hawks
If you're a numbers person, the 2025 team was fascinating. They averaged nearly 33 points per game while giving up only about 20. On paper, that’s a dominant team.
Sawyer Seidl finished the year with 897 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. He was the engine. Jerry Kaminski threw for over 2,500 yards and 26 touchdowns, which is a huge step forward for the sophomore. They weren't just a "ground and pound" team anymore; they could actually air it out when they needed to.
However, the red zone was where things got weird. They were efficient, scoring on about 79% of their trips, but in those close losses to the "Dakota" schools (NDSU and SDSU), they settled for field goals instead of six points. That’s the margin of error in this conference. It’s razor-thin.
What Fans Should Keep an Eye On
If you want to stay ahead of the curve on the next university of north dakota football score, keep an eye on the transfer portal this spring. Coach Eric Schmidt, in his first year, really proved he could keep the ship steady after the transition from the previous era. But to beat the likes of NDSU or South Dakota State consistently, they need more depth on the defensive line.
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The Alerus Center remains one of the toughest places to play in the FCS. The crowd noise in that dome is legit.
UND finished 2025 ranked No. 14 in the STATS poll. That’s a solid foundation. They aren't just "participating" in the MVFC anymore; they are a threat.
Actionable Steps for Fans
To stay updated on the program as it transitions into the 2026 season, you should focus on a few specific areas. First, monitor the Spring Showcase on April 24, 2026. This will be the first look at the updated depth chart and any new transfers who joined the squad in the winter. Second, secure tickets early for the Nebraska game if you plan on traveling; those tickets are usually scooped up by Husker fans the moment they hit the secondary market. Finally, keep an eye on the injury report for the offensive line, as that unit's health will determine if Kaminski has the time to repeat his 2025 success.
The 2025 season provided a lot of answers, but the 2026 schedule is going to ask even harder questions.