The University of North Dakota athletic department released the 2021 home football game times, promotional schedule, tailgating and ticket information for its five-game slate at the Alerus Center on Friday. The schedule, which features home contests against four Missouri Valley Football Conference foes, will see UND look to build upon their Division I-long 11-home winning streak.

For the second time over the last three seasons, UND will begin the home portion of the schedule against Drake on Sept. 18 at 4 p.m. in the annual Potato Bowl USA game. The Hawks will look to extend the FCS’ longest winning streak in home debuts to 35 consecutive victories and improve to 4-0 all-time against the Bulldogs. North Dakota is 42-12 in its Potato Bowl USA history dating back to 1966.

UND’s conference title defense begins inside the Alerus Center on Oct. 2 at 2 p.m. against in-state rival North Dakota State. The game, slated to be the first meeting between the programs in Grand Forks since 2003, will honor the 2020 and 2021 UND Athletics Hall of Fame classes.

Following back-to-back road contests, the Fighting Hawks return home to battle Western Illinois on Oct. 23 at 2 p.m. for the annual homecoming game. UND and WIU met last season for the first time since 1979, with this year’s showdown being the first in Grand Forks between the schools.

November opens with a home date against Youngstown State on Nov. 6 at noon. UND concludes the home slate with a showdown against Illinois State on Nov. 13 at 2 p.m. This marks the first meeting between the Fighting Hawks and Redbirds since a 20-0 shutout win by UND in 1979.

Meanwhile, tailgating is back at the Alerus for the 2021 season, with lots opening at 10 a.m. (season tailgating pass) and 11 a.m. (single game pass) for the Potato Bowl USA contest against Drake and 8 a.m. (all tailgating passes) for every remaining home regular season game. Single game tailgating spots will be available on the day of each game for $10 per spot, up to four per vehicle.