Ben Buxa, the starting center for the University of North Dakota (UND), represented the Fighting Hawks at the recent Missouri Valley Football Conference media day in Sioux Falls. As a redshirt freshman, Buxa was an unexpected choice for the event, traditionally dominated by older players and those in skill positions.
Reflecting on the invitation, Buxa said, “It was a surprise to me, honestly.” After receiving the news from head coach Eric Schmidt, he shared the moment with his parents. “They seemed to be a lot more surprised than I was,” he noted. “I just embraced it, and I’m taking it all in. It’s a good thing we get to give the world a taste of what this new team is bringing to 2025.”
Schmidt’s Vision for the Program
Inviting Buxa to represent the team aligns with Coach Schmidt’s vision for a blue-collar football program. He explained, “If we want to be blue-collar and nasty, let’s bring an o-lineman. We want to be gritty. That group epitomizes what we want to be about.” Schmidt emphasized the importance of the offensive line, describing them as a player-led unit that sets the tone for the team’s energy and focus during workouts.
The offensive line will be crucial for UND as they head into the 2025 season. Alongside Buxa, the Fighting Hawks return experienced starters Seth Anderson, Liam Becher, Caleb Olson, and backup Trace Thaden. This unit experienced success in 2024, exceeding expectations despite the challenges posed by player transfers, including Cade Borud from Iowa and Easton Kilty from Kansas State.
Learning from Experience
Buxa reflected on the stark contrast between the last game he played, which had an attendance of approximately 2,000, and the following game at Iowa State, where the stadium held 62,000 fans. “You can do so many practice reps you want and go as hard as you can, but there’s something different when you get out on the field,” he stated. This experience was invaluable for many of the starters, who learned from the high-pressure environment throughout the season.
As UND navigates a quarterback competition during fall camp and adjusts to the absence of star wide receiver Bo Belquist, the offensive line will be pivotal. Buxa emphasized, “No matter who you are, the game is always going to be won in the trenches. For us, we have that experience. But also, I always look at it as we have room to improve.”
Schmidt echoed these sentiments, highlighting the need for continued growth. “Those guys did a great job carving out a bigger role for themselves,” he said. “Now, it’s really important to evolve and stay hungry. They understand we can be better. In the big games, we didn’t move the ball well enough to sustain drives.”
With the upcoming season, Schmidt underscored the importance of the offensive line’s performance. “We’re going to go as our offensive line goes. If we’re going to be a tough football team, our offensive line will need to be a tough unit and steady influence. We need to know we can count on these guys day in and day out.”
As the Fighting Hawks prepare for 2025, the determination and experience of players like Ben Buxa will be essential in shaping the future of their football program.
