2 months ago
Aug. 23—GRAND FORKS — UND wide receiver Sam Strandell started last season with knee injuries on Day 6 of fall camp.
Those injuries lingered. He wore a heavy brace on his knee. Then he had a groin injury in the spring. Then there was an appendicitis operation in the offseason.
After spending the fall and spring on the sideline in 2025, Strandell had a decision to make this summer — retire or stick it out one more year?
"I talked to the coaches the weekend before fall camp and that Friday night me and my dad went on a bike ride through Riverside," Strandell said of his old neighborhood in north Grand Forks. "It was late at night, and I guess I was just thinking back to like when I was a kid in Riverside. I feel like he would really want me to play, and I feel like down the road I would probably regret not, too. I enjoy football. When I'm healthy and I'm playing football, it's the most fun I have."
Strandell's journey back to the field reached a milestone earlier this week when he was honored by his teammates as a two-time captain of the Fighting Hawks.
#strandell #injuries #spring
Those injuries lingered. He wore a heavy brace on his knee. Then he had a groin injury in the spring. Then there was an appendicitis operation in the offseason.
After spending the fall and spring on the sideline in 2025, Strandell had a decision to make this summer — retire or stick it out one more year?
"I talked to the coaches the weekend before fall camp and that Friday night me and my dad went on a bike ride through Riverside," Strandell said of his old neighborhood in north Grand Forks. "It was late at night, and I guess I was just thinking back to like when I was a kid in Riverside. I feel like he would really want me to play, and I feel like down the road I would probably regret not, too. I enjoy football. When I'm healthy and I'm playing football, it's the most fun I have."
Strandell's journey back to the field reached a milestone earlier this week when he was honored by his teammates as a two-time captain of the Fighting Hawks.
#strandell #injuries #spring
2 months ago
Aug. 20—GRAND FORKS — With a week to go to UND football's 2026 season opener, the Fighting Hawks have announced team captains.
UND's captains this season will be offensive tackle Trace Thaden, wide receiver Sam Strandell, quarterback Jerry Kaminski, linebacker Michael Devereaux and edge Lance Rucker, the school announced Thursday.
Those five were selected by their teammates following the conclusion of fall camp.
Thaden, a 6-foot-7, 306-pound fifth year from Omaha, started all 14 games at left tackle last season and helped UND allow the second-fewest sacks among Missouri Valley Football Conference offensive lines.
Strandell, a Grand Forks Central product, served as a key special teams contributor last season after overcoming an injury that sidelined the wide receiver for much of the season. He made three tackles and blocked a punt in UND's road win at Tennessee Tech in the opening round of the FCS playoffs.
#forks #thaden #captains
UND's captains this season will be offensive tackle Trace Thaden, wide receiver Sam Strandell, quarterback Jerry Kaminski, linebacker Michael Devereaux and edge Lance Rucker, the school announced Thursday.
Those five were selected by their teammates following the conclusion of fall camp.
Thaden, a 6-foot-7, 306-pound fifth year from Omaha, started all 14 games at left tackle last season and helped UND allow the second-fewest sacks among Missouri Valley Football Conference offensive lines.
Strandell, a Grand Forks Central product, served as a key special teams contributor last season after overcoming an injury that sidelined the wide receiver for much of the season. He made three tackles and blocked a punt in UND's road win at Tennessee Tech in the opening round of the FCS playoffs.
#forks #thaden #captains
