Scheels Field isn't just a patch of turf in Moorhead. It’s a literal wind tunnel. If you’ve ever stood on the sidelines during a late October matchup in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC), you know the cold doesn't just bite—it swallows you whole. This is the home of Minnesota State University Moorhead football, a program that has spent decades carving out an identity in one of the most brutal Division II conferences in the country. They aren't the biggest school in the region, and they don't have the infinite boosters of some Power 5 programs, but there’s a specific brand of "Dragon Pride" that keeps this engine humming.
Football here is different.
It’s about the "Axe." When the Dragons line up against Bemidji State, it isn't just another game on the schedule. It’s the Battle for the Axe, a rivalry that dates back to 1948. It is one of the oldest trophy games in Division II. Winning that hunk of wood and metal means everything to these kids. You’ll see 300-pound linemen weeping over it. That’s the kind of stakes we’re talking about in the 218 and 701 area codes.
The Laqua Era and the Offensive Explosion
For a long time, MSUM was the team people expected to play tough but eventually fold under the depth of the South Dakotas or the Duluths of the world. Then Steve Laqua showed up in 2011. He didn't just change the locker room culture; he blew up the playbook. Before Laqua, the Dragons were often stuck in old-school, grind-it-out mentalities that didn't quite have the horses to outrun the giants.
Laqua brought in a high-octane, spread-style philosophy that forced the rest of the NSIC to actually respect the air raid in a region known for "three yards and a cloud of dust." Honestly, watching a Saturday game at Nemzek Stadium over the last decade has been a bit of a rollercoaster. One week, the Dragons are putting up 50 points and looking like world-beaters. The next, they’re locked in a defensive struggle where the wind is gusting at 30 miles per hour and every pass looks like a fluttering duck.
But that's the charm.
The program reached a modern high water mark in 2018. They finished 8-4 and earned a spot in the Mineral Water Bowl. It was a massive deal. For a program that had seen its fair share of losing seasons in the late 2000s, that 2018 run proved that Moorhead could sustain success. They weren't just a flash in the pan. They were a problem for the rest of the league.
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Why the NSIC is a Meat Grinder
You can't talk about Minnesota State University Moorhead football without talking about the conference. The NSIC is a monster. You’re playing against perennial powerhouses like Ferris State or Northwest Missouri State in the playoffs, but even the regular season is a gauntlet. You have to travel to Mankato. You have to go up to Duluth. You have to deal with Augustana.
There are no "get right" games.
The scholarship gap is a real thing. In Division II, programs are allowed 36 full scholarships, but they can be split up among a 100-man roster. How a coach like Laqua or his staff allocates those "pieces of the pie" determines if they can compete. MSUM has traditionally been excellent at finding the "overlooked" kid from rural Minnesota or North Dakota—the kid who grew up on a farm, has "old man strength," and wasn't recruited by the Big Ten because he was two inches too short or a tenth of a second too slow in the 40-yard dash.
The Statistics That Actually Matter
If you look at the record books, names like Jake Hodge and Demetrius Carr stand out. These were quarterbacks who understood that in the Dragon offense, you have to be a point guard on grass.
In recent seasons, the focus shifted slightly toward balance. You can't just throw 60 times a game when the sleet is coming down sideways in November. The development of the offensive line has become the secret sauce. While the flashy wide receivers get the headlines and the social media clips, the guys in the dirt—the ones blocking in 10-degree weather—are the ones who kept the 2023 and 2024 squads competitive.
Specific notable achievements include:
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- The 2018 Mineral Water Bowl appearance (the first post-season game for the program since the NAIA days).
- Multiple seasons with 3,000+ passing yards from the QB position.
- A defensive secondary that consistently ranks in the top half of the NSIC for interceptions.
The "Dragon Way" and the Community
Moorhead is a college town. Between MSUM, Concordia, and M-State, and then NDSU just across the river in Fargo, the area is saturated with football. It would be easy for MSUM to get lost in the shadow of the NDSU Bison dynasty. But they don't.
The Dragons have a niche.
It’s a blue-collar niche. When you go to a game at Scheels Field, you aren't surrounded by corporate jerseys and quiet fans. You’re surrounded by alumni who remember the glory days of the 70s and 80s under Ross Fortier. Fortier is a legend. He coached for 23 seasons and won 152 games. He’s the guy who put MSUM on the map, leading them to seven conference titles and multiple NAIA playoff runs.
The current staff tries to bridge that gap between the Fortier era's toughness and the modern era's speed. It’s a hard tightrope to walk.
Realities of the Modern DII Landscape
Let’s be real for a second.
Transfer portal madness has hit Division II just as hard as the FBS. If a kid at MSUM has a breakout sophomore year and grabs 10 interceptions or throws for 40 touchdowns, there’s a good chance a bigger school is going to come knocking with NIL promises. Maintaining a roster in Moorhead requires more than just good coaching; it requires building a place where kids actually want to stay.
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The facilities have seen upgrades, sure. Scheels Field at Nemzek Stadium got that beautiful synthetic turf and improved lighting. The weight room is lightyears ahead of where it was twenty years ago. But the real "staying power" comes from the fact that MSUM feels like a family. It’s a cliché, I know. But when you’re shivering in the locker room at halftime trying to feel your toes, you only keep going because of the guy standing next to you.
What to Watch for Next Season
If you're looking to follow the team, keep an eye on the turnover margin. In the NSIC, the team that blinks first loses. MSUM has been at its best when they are aggressive on defense, forcing fumbles and playing "bend but don't break" football.
They also need to solidify the run game. While the "Air Raid" heritage is fun, the elite teams in this conference can run the ball when everyone knows they are going to run it. If the Dragons can find that 1,000-yard back to complement their vertical passing game, they aren't just a playoff contender—they are a threat to win the whole North Division.
How to Support and Follow MSUM Football
If you're actually interested in the program and not just browsing, here is how you stay in the loop without relying on generic news tickers:
- Watch the NSIC Network: Most games are streamed live. It’s the best way to see the "Dragon Pride" in action if you aren't in the FM area.
- Attend the Homecoming Game: This is the peak experience. The atmosphere in Moorhead during homecoming week is electric, and the tailgating at Nemzek is surprisingly high-end for a DII school.
- Follow the "Dragon Fire" Booster Club: If you want to see the behind-the-scenes of how the program is funded and how scholarships are handled, this is the source.
- Check the Weather: Seriously. If you’re going to a game after October 1st, bring a parka. Then bring a second parka. The wind coming off the Red River Valley is no joke and significantly impacts how the game is played—usually forcing teams into a more conservative, ground-based attack.
The story of Minnesota State University Moorhead football isn't finished. It’s a perpetual battle of an underdog punching up. Whether they are hoisting the Axe or grinding out a win in a blizzard, they represent a specific kind of Upper Midwest resilience that you just don't find in the sun-drenched stadiums of the South. It’s cold, it’s tough, and it’s exactly how they like it.
Next Steps for Fans:
To get the most out of the upcoming season, start by reviewing the official MSUM Dragons schedule to identify the "Axe Game" date, as tickets for the rivalry matchup sell out fastest. If you are a prospective student-athlete, reach out to the coaching staff through the official MSUM athletics portal, as they prioritize regional talent who understand the climate and culture of the NSIC. For those looking to dive into the history, visit the Nemzek Hall hall of fame displays to see the legacy of Ross Fortier firsthand.