UND football is preparing to begin its Valley game against Murray St. on Saturday

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (Valley News Live) – Valley plays for the Flagship U when ninth-ranked North Dakota faces Murray St. on Saturday after posting a 3-1 record in non-conference games to start the season.

In perhaps the toughest conference in FCS football, a new season of sorts begins this weekend for the Fighting Hawks.

“Some things happen naturally when you get into conference play. You’re playing for something else. However, FCS football is a big game every week because you are building a resume to get to the postseason.”

“I think it increases the intensity in film study and on the field. It’s usually a more physical game in the Valley, so we really need to bring that attitude throughout the week and make sure we reach out to the young guys and let them know it’s going to take another step up here, so we need to be ready for it.”

“I think a lot of things will be the same. Obviously you’re playing for a conference championship now, but every week is important and we have to approach it like every other week.”

UND won the Kentucky game last year, but this is a new-look Murray St. squad under first-year head coach Jody Wright.

It is the fourth and final game for the current NoDak home team and starts on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.

Copyright 2024 KVLY. All rights reserved.