2001 North Dakota Fighting Sioux football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 2001 North Dakota Fighting Sioux football North Central Conference NCC 1 14–1 7–1 Dale Lennon 3rd Chris Mussman 3rd Multiple Bubba Schweigert 5th 3–4 Dan Graf Kelby Klosterman Travis O'Neel Eric Schmidt Alerus Center NCAA Division II championNCC champion NCAA Division II Championship Game W 17–14 vs. Grand Valley State The 2001 North Dakota Fighting Sioux football team represented University of North Dakota in the 2001 NCAA Division II football season.http://www.undsports.com/fls/13500/pdf/2017-18/2017_UND_football_mediaguide.pdf?ATCLID=742597&SPSID=58560&SPID=6387&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=13500 Archived copy 2018-01-10 2018-01-10 https://web.archive.org/web/20180110054728/http://www.undsports.com/fls/13500/pdf/2017-18/2017_UND_football_mediaguide.pdf?ATCLID=742597&SPSID=58560&SPID=6387&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=13500 dead The Fighting Sioux won the NCAA Division II national championship, the team's first. Their head coach was Dale Lennon, a former fullback for the school. The team's quarterback was junior Kelby Klosterman, who threw 32 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. The leading rusher was Jed Perkerewicz, who rushed for almost 800 yards and 7 touchdowns. Three receivers had at least eight touchdowns; Dan Graf had ten, Jesse Smith had nine, and Luke Schleusner had eight. Mac Schneider, an American attorney who now serves as United States Attorney for the District of North Dakota, started three games in a backup role as offensive lineman for the team and served as team captain his senior year. The defense had a plus nineteen turnover margin and allowed fewer than thirteen points a game and just three rushing touchdowns all season. Eric Schmidt led the defense with ten sacks. Schedule North Dakota got off to a 6–0 start, before playing on October 24 to face the 6–0 UNO Mavericks of the University of Nebraska at Omaha. The game was tied at the end of regulation, with UNO winning in overtime, 27–24, by the margin of a field goal. The Omaha team lost 2 of its last 3 games, while the Sioux won all three of theirs, for the NCC title. 2001 NCAA Division II AFCA August 30 w y y 14 2001 Central Washington Wildcats Central Washington Tomlinson Stadium Ellensburg, WA 17–14 1,250 North Dakota scores early, holds on to beat Central Washington https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101047593/the-news-tribune/ May 5, 2022 The News Tribune September 1, 2001 C3 Newspapers.com September 8 w y 12 2001 Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles Minnesota–Crookston Alerus Center Grand Forks, ND 57–6 Bakken Ryan UND starts strong in Alerus Center https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101047879/the-bismarck-tribune/ May 5, 2022 The Bismarck Tribune September 9, 2001 4D Newspapers.com September 15 w 11 2001 Northern Colorado Bears Northern Colorado Alerus Center Grand Forks, ND 13–7 9,265 Bakken Ryan Perkerewicz sparks UND over Northern Colorado https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101048040/the-bismarck-tribune/ May 5, 2022 The Bismarck Tribune September 16, 2001 6D Newspapers.com September 21 w y 11 2001 New Haven Chargers New Haven Alerus Center Grand Forks, ND 42–10 8,850 Klosterman leads Sioux past Chargers https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101048312/the-bismarck-tribune/ May 5, 2022 The Bismarck Tribune Associated Press September 22, 2001 3D Newspapers.com September 29 w 11 2001 South Dakota State Jackrabbits South Dakota State Alerus Center Grand Forks, ND 44–9 9,182 Bakken Ryan Sioux roll past SDSU https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101126106/the-bismarck-tribune/ May 5, 2022 The Bismarck Tribune September 30, 2001 5D Newspapers.com October 6 w 11 North Dakota State 2 Alerus Center Grand Forks, ND Nickel Trophy 19–7 13,500 Collins Kerry https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86488708/sioux-per-display-by-unds-defense/ The Bismarck Tribune Sioux-per display by UND's defense 1D October 7, 2001 May 5, 2022 Newspapers.com October 13 w y 3 2001 St. Cloud State Huskies St. Cloud State Selke Field St. Cloud, MN 35–28 3,133 Hatten Mick Huskies' 'D' gets tricky https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101127159/st-cloud-times/ May 5, 2022 St. Cloud Times October 14, 2001 5D Newspapers.com October 20 l 3 2001 Nebraska–Omaha Mavericks Nebraska–Omaha 2 Alerus Center Grand Forks, ND 24–27 OT 12,580 Bakken Ryan Omaha surges late in game to defeat Sioux https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101127694/the-bismarck-tribune/ May 5, 2022 The Bismarck Tribune October 21, 2001 1D Newspapers.com October 27 w y 8 2001 Minnesota State Mavericks Minnesota State Blakeslee Stadium Mankato, MN 28–14 1,741 Klosterman leads UND past Mavericks, 28-14 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101128261/the-bismarck-tribune/ May 5, 2022 The Bismarck Tribune Associated Press October 28, 2001 4D Newspapers.com November 3 w 6 2001 Augustana (South Dakota) Vikings Augustana (SD) Alerus Center Grand Forks, ND 37–14 9,847 Augustana falls at North Dakota https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101128525/argus-leader/ May 5, 2022 Argus-Leader Associated Press November 4, 2001 4C Newspapers.com November 10 w y 5 2001 South Dakota Coyotes South Dakota DakotaDome Vermillion, SD Sitting Bull Trophy 48–7 3,735 Sioux clinch NCC crown https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101128861/the-bismarck-tribune/ May 5, 2022 The Bismarck Tribune Associated Press November 11, 2001 5D Newspapers.com November 17 w y 4 2001 Winona State Warriors Winona State 13 Alerus Center Grand Forks, ND NCAA Division II First Round 42–28 6,700 North Dakota ousts Winona State in D-II regional https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101129296/st-joseph-news-press/ May 5, 2022 St. Joseph News-Press Associated Press November 18, 2001 D3 Newspapers.com November 24 w y 4 2001 Pittsburg State Gorillas Pittsburg State 6 Alerus Center Grand Forks, ND NCAA Division II Quarterfinal 38–0 8,222 Klosterman leads way as North Dakota rips Pittsburg State, 38-0 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101129829/argus-leader/ May 5, 2022 Argus-Leader November 25, 2001 3C Newspapers.com December 1 w y 4 UC Davis 12 Alerus Center Grand Forks, ND NCAA Division II Semifinal 14–2 11,696 Bakken Ryan Defense shines as Sioux make national finals for first time https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101130323/the-bismarck-tribune/ May 5, 2022 The Bismarck Tribune December 2, 2001 1D Newspapers.com December 8 w y y 4 Grand Valley State 2 Braly Municipal Stadium Florence, AL NCAA Division II Championship Game 17–14 6,113 Sioux rally for title https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101130700/star-tribune/ May 5, 2022 Star Tribune Associated Press December 9, 2001 C7 Newspapers.com 2001 M Football Schedule https://fightinghawks.com/sports/football/schedule/2001 University of North Dakota Athletics December 23, 2022 NCAA Division II playoffs After finishing the season at 10–1–0 and winning the North Central Conference title, The University of North Dakota qualified for the playoffs as a home team. The first-round game brought the Winona State Warriors to Grand Forks on November 17. Kelby Klosterman threw six touchdown passes, tying the Division II playoff record. The first two TDs were made from catches by John Kyvig, and the last four were to Jesse Smith, and the Sioux won 42–28. Brian Wilhelmi also had one assisted tackle on the punt team to cap the victory. The Pittsburg State Gorillas were the next team to visit Grand Forks, on November 24 for the quarterfinal round. Cameron Peterka broke the NCAA playoff record with a 59-yard field goal at the close of the first half. The Sioux held Pittsburg State to minus 17 (−17) yards rushing on their way to a 38–0 win. The semifinal game on December 1 brought the UC-Davis Aggies to Grand Forks, and the Sioux had a 14–0 lead with 30 seconds left. With UND on its own 3 yard line on fourth down, Coach Dale Lennon directed Klosterman to down the ball in the end zone for a safety, giving the Californians their only points in the 14–2 game. North Dakota earned its first ever trip ever to the Division II championship game in Florence, Alabama, to face the Lakers of Michigan's Grand Valley State University. Though UND had a 7–3 lead at the half, the Lakers took a 14–10 lead with 2:46 to play after Ryan Brady ran 12 yards for a touchdown. The Sioux had the ball on their 20-yard line as the game was winding down. Klosterman's first two passes were incomplete, and on third, he ran for yardage, but the Sioux were still 2 yards short on fourth down. Klosterman gambled and ran seven yards to keep the drive alive. Three downs later, the Sioux were at their 41-yard line, and it was fourth down again. Gambling again, Klosterman completed a pass to Luke Schleusner to get the first down, but Schleusner eluded a tackler and, with the help of a block by Jesse Smith, made it to the one yard line. With 29 seconds to play, Jed Perkerewicz took the handoff for the winning touchdown, giving the Sioux the 2001 Division II national championship. Roster 2001 North Dakota Fighting Sioux f 2 Jr Jesse Smith WR Jamel Alkins 4 WR Sr Adam Roland 5 RB Fr y Shad Carney 6 QB Fr Caleb Johnson 8 WR Fr y 9 Jr Kelby Klosterman QB John Bowenkamp 12 QB So Joe Wilson 13 QB So Evan Nelson 14 QB Fr y Josh Ranson 16 WR Fr Jim Miller 18 RB So 45 Sr Chad Mustard TE y 73 Fr Chris Kuper OL y 89 Sr Luke Schleusner WR y 1 Jr Thayne Bosh CB 3 Jr Dustin Thornburg DB Jamaal Franklin 11 DB Fr Tom Maus 19 DB So Ryan Manke 20 DB Fr y 36 Fr Travis O'Neel LB y Josh Brandsted 38 FS Fr Mike O'Neil 38 DB Sr Brian Wilhelmi 39 LB So Digger Anderson 40 LB Fr 40 Sr Eric Schmidt LB y Eric Schmidt (American football) Ross Brennan 42 DL Fr y Tyler Dahlen 44 LB Fr 48 Jr Josh Kotelnicki LB y 7 Fr y Jeff Glas K 11 Sr Cameron Peterka K 15 Fr Brian Loe P 17 Jr Bret Bentow P https://web.archive.org/web/20011111210128/http://www.fightingsioux.com:80/sports/football/roster.asp *Dale Lennon Chris MussmanOffensive coordinator/Offensive line Bubba SchweigertDefensive coordinator Tom DoschOutside linebackers/Defensive line Dick KoppenhaverQuarterbacks November 11, 2001 References North Dakota Category:North Dakota Fighting Hawks football seasons Category:NCAA Division II Football Champions Category:North Central Conference football champion seasons North Dakota Fighting Sioux football