The transfer portal has struck again and the University of North Dakota is the team being hit just days ahead of their opening round FCS playoff game against Missouri State.
Redshirt sophomore right guard Kyle Hergel is heading to the transfer portal. Hergel was named FCS Independent’s Newcomer of the Year in 2019, after starting all 12 games. He played in 5 games this spring as well.
UND head coach Bubba Schweigert said freshman Easton Kilty will get the opportunity to start against the Bears on Saturday.
“I’m excited for Easton Kilty,” said Fighting Hawks senior offensive lineman Ryan Tobin. “He’s a younger guy but I know coach Pawlak (offensive line coach) will get all of us together and will get it going again. I don’t see any issues.”
Missouri State is coming into Saturday’s game riding a 4-game winning streak, their longest since the 2013 season when they rattled off 4 straight against South Dakota State, Western Illinois, Indiana State and Southern Illinois.
“From last fall to know they are a really a much-improved football team,” said Schweigert. “There coaches have done a good job, they added some personal here in the spring but this is a much-improved football team.”
Kickoff set for 3 p.m. on Saturday from the Alerus Center.
FCS AWARD FINALISTS
Schweigert was named one of 16 finalists for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award.
UND redshirt freshman quarterback Tommy Schuster was named one of 16 finalists for the Jerry Rice Award, which is given out to the Freshman of the Year.
Fighting Hawks redshirt sophomore running back Otis Weah was named one of 16 finalists for the FCS Walter Payton Award, which is presented to the national Offensive Player of the Year.
