Ben Buxa, the starting center for the University of North Dakota (UND) football team, stood out at the recent Missouri Valley Football Conference media day held in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. As a redshirt freshman, Buxa was an unexpected choice to represent the Fighting Hawks, who typically bring more experienced players to such events. His selection reflects the vision of head coach Eric Schmidt for the team’s identity and future.
“It was a surprise to me, honestly,” Buxa remarked about his invitation. After receiving the news from Schmidt, he shared it with his family, who reacted with significant enthusiasm. “They seemed to be a lot more surprised than I was,” he continued. “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.”
Building a Gritty Identity
Schmidt’s decision to invite Buxa was a deliberate choice, aimed at showcasing the team’s commitment to a blue-collar mentality. “If we want to be blue-collar and nasty, let’s bring an o-lineman,” Schmidt explained. He emphasized the importance of the offensive line in establishing a tough and gritty team culture. “That group epitomizes what we want to be about. Every day they start our workouts with the right energy, focus, and effort. It filters through the rest of the team.”
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, UND is counting on its offensive line to provide stability and strength. Alongside Buxa, the Fighting Hawks return experienced starters such as Seth Anderson, Liam Becher, Caleb Olson, and backup Trace Thaden. This unit experienced notable success in the previous season, largely due to the contributions of transfers like Cade Borud from Iowa, Easton Kilty from Kansas State, and Sam Hagen from South Dakota State.
Learning and Improving
Buxa reflected on the transition from playing in smaller venues to massive stadiums, recalling his experience at Iowa State to open the 2024 season. “There’s something different when you get out on the field. A lot of those guys, being starters for the first time, we didn’t know what it was like. We were able to learn so much from that, and going through that season with those game reps really shows you what it’s like,” he said.
As the team enters fall camp, they face a crucial quarterback battle and the challenge of adapting to the loss of star wide receiver Bo Belquist. Despite these changes, Buxa is confident in the offensive line’s ability to lead the team. “No matter who you are, the game is always going to be won in the trenches,” he stated. “We have that experience, but we also have room to improve. It’s not like we’re perfect.”
Schmidt echoed Buxa’s sentiments about the need for continuous improvement. “Those guys did a great job carving out a bigger role for themselves. Now, it’s really important to evolve and stay starving. They understand we can be better,” he noted. He pointed out that in critical games, the team struggled to sustain drives, highlighting the need for the offensive line to elevate its 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,” Schmidt concluded.
As the Fighting Hawks prepare for the upcoming season, the emphasis on a gritty, resilient identity, led by players like Buxa, could very well define their success on the field.
