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Last year’s Northern State football season was a rollercoaster, head coach Mike Schmidt said.
The Wolves opened with four losses, then won five straight to be in the mix for the NCAA Division II playoffs. But a 24-14 loss to No. 22 Minnesota State Mankato eliminated them from playoff contention as Northern finished 6-5 overall and 6-4 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.
Now, Schmidt is preparing for his sixth season and hopes for more consistency.
“It’s about learning how to win games, right? We can’t forget the 0-4 start a year because we learned so much through that. That’s the tipping point in every program — did our program change and understand how to win games against the best teams — or was it for nothing and we didn’t learn a thing?” he said. “The Mankato game was a great learning opportunity and guys immediately after the game were talking about what it takes to beat teams like that and why they weren’t able to. That’s growth and we’re hoping we carry that into this year.”
Schmidt said there are about 60 players on campus now who continue to prepare for the Wolves official practices set to begin in fall.
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That number usually grows after July 1 as players start to ratchet things up prior to organized team activities, often called OTAs.
“We can’t take attendance, it’s not mandatory, these are not OTAs, but guys are around,” Schmidt said. “For me as a coach, it’s really fun to see this group around. You go down into the locker room and there are guys in there playing video games, just hanging out with each other. Hey, we’ve had groups here in the summer before, but this group feels a little more connected.”
One area in which that connection could prove beneficial is with new offensive coordinator Brayle Brown.
Brown
Schmidt
Brown is the third offensive coordinator in as many seasons for the Wolves. However, unlike a year ago, he arrived on campus at the start of spring camp.
That, Schmidt said, gives his offense a head start on its identity.
“We are installing a new offense, but Brayle has been around with Daniel (Britt, the projected starting quarterback) and a couple other quarterbacks and our skill guys all spring, and that’s a good start so we can hit the ground running when we get to fall camp. Last year, we were teaching the offense in fall camp. This year the offense is installed and we can get guys ready. I think that was a major component to our slow start offensively last year. Fall camp, you’re supposed to perfect your offense, not learn it, and I think Brayle’s being here sooner will help. What he does (with his offensive philosophy) is where the game is going. I think he’s ahead of the curve, and what he wants to do is really where college football is at.”
Schmidt understands such changeover is the nature of college football, but feels the Wolves have begun to retain players and hope to extend Brown’s stay.
“It’s hard to build for the future because college football has become such a year-by-year thing with coaches and players that you really have to take things one year at a time. I do feel like we’re in a spot with a little continuity with our coaching staff, and I think the past couple of seasons we’ve seen more of our players sticking around and playing. We sure want to keep Brayle here for a while because he’s a phenomenal play-caller and coordinator,” Schmidt said.
Explosive plays will be critical for Northern State offense
Schmidt and Brown both know explosive plays that result in quick points will be important for the Wolves. That’s something they lacked last season.
Northern State running back Hank Kraft cuts to the outside during the Wolves game against Minnesota State Mankato on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024 at Dacotah Bank Stadium. Kraft returns for the 2025 season. Aberdeen Insider photo by Robb Garofalo.
“Our offense was very good at sustaining drives, but we weren’t very explosive and didn’t find big plays. When we did find big plays we won games,” Schmidt said.
He thinks Brown can change that, and some new players should help.
The roster additions include:
- Carter Campbell: A wide receiver who played nine games at Southern Methodist last season.
- And Jacoby Boykins: A wide receiver who began his college career at Alabama and was at Abilene Christian the past two seasons.
“Couple them with some of our returners like Cade Kaiser, Zach Jorgenson, Rich Prescott returns after a year away, he should burst onto the scene. We’ve got a good core of younger guys at wide receiver, which should add depth, especially on the perimeter, for us as well.”
Two returning running backs should help balance Northern’s offense.
“Wyatt Block and Hank Kraft are both back at the running back position, and you couldn’t ask for harder-working guys. Wyatt had a breakout year for us last year, rushing for over 500 yards and had a team-high six TDs. Hank, I mean, he had three carries for 18 yards against Mankato. Doesn’t complain about his carries, practices like he normally does and goes out and rushes for 100 yards against Wayne State. Those are two guys we’re going to lean on, for sure,” Schmidt said.
On defense, junior linebacker Jake Adams returns. He was a Division II all-American last season, setting the single season school record with 147 tackles. That led the conference.
Schmidt expects NSIC race to be wide open
A few teams perennially find their way to the top of the NSIC standings. Mankato, Augustana and Minnesota-Duluth are often in the mix for the league title.
But Schmidt believes the gap between the top teams and the rest of the NSIC has closed in the past year, setting up an intense 2025 season.
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“Talking with other coaches, you ask who the top team is, or top three teams are in this league, and no one really has an answer other than, ‘Well, it could be any one of these seven teams.’ I think the middle group of teams, which we’re a part of, has taken a step and is now more competitive. Just look around the schedules in this league. There are some massive games early in the season for everybody, and teams are going to get knocked off. That just means your next few games are more critical and should make for a more competitive and fun season.”
The Wolves open the 2025 schedule Saturday, Sept. 6 at the University of Sioux Falls.