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Three Fighting Hawks receive preseason MVFC mention

By Jim Johnson Jul 25, 2024 | 1:22 PM

(KNOX) – North Dakota received its second preseason honors of the 2024 season on Thursday, with three Fighting Hawks earning spots on the Phil Steele Preseason All-MVFC Team.

Bo Belquist was the top Fighting Hawk, receiving first team honors as a wide receiver.

Last season, Belquist started 10 games at wide receiver and appeared in every contest. He led the team and ranked No. 25 nationally in receptions per game with 5.5. Belquist also tied for No. 5 in the MVFC in receiving touchdowns (6), was No. 6 in the league in total receiving yards (772) and No. 7 in receiving yards per game (64.3). His marks in receptions, receiving yardage, touchdown grabs and receiving yards per game also led the team. He finished the year with three 100-yard receiving performances, putting up 110 yards in the 55-7 win over Drake, recording 123 yards in the 37-22 Potato Bowl victory over Northern Arizona and racking up 101 yards receiving in the 36-33 overtime win over Indiana State. He also led the team in chunk plays with 12 plays of 20-yards or more. Belquist served as a team captain and received Second Team All-MVFC recognition at the end of the season.

Two Hawks also received preseason second team honors in Jaden Norby (fullback) and Wyatt Pedigo (linebacker).

Norby appeared in all 12 games as a tight end and fullback in 2023 and had seven starts. He hauled in five catches for 56 yards and a touchdown, while averaging 11.20 yards per reception. Norby scored on a 19-yard touchdown grab in the 45-31 win at Murray State. During the season, his blocking helped UND rank No. 2 in the MVFC and No. 3 nationally in completion percentage (70.3 percent) and Fighting Hawk quarterbacks had the No. 14 passing efficiency rating (153.02) in the country with the help of his blocking. At the end of the season, Norby gained honorable mention MVFC All-Academic status.

Pedigo started all 12 games at linebacker last season and led the nation in fumble recoveries with four. He tied for No. 17 in the league in total sacks (4.0) and led UND in total tackles (72), solo tackles (47), tackles-for-loss (7.5) and sacks (4.0), while also tying for second on the team in quarterback hurries (8). Pedigo also forced two fumbles. He put down a season-best 10 tackles, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble at Boise State and had a season-high 2.5 tackles-for-loss and 2.0 sacks in the 36-33 overtime win against Indiana State. Pedigo finished the year with Second Team All-MVFC accolades.

North Dakota will kick off the 2024 season at Iowa State on Saturday, Aug. 31. The Fighting Hawks and Cyclones will square off on the gridiron at 2:30 p.m. (CT) and the game will air on Fox Sports 1.

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