The Moorhead - Brainerd rivalry comes to the Bison linebacker room

Each were standout players in Minnesota section 8AAAAA football at rival schools. Altepeter at Moorhead High School, Staehling at Brainerd.

“That rivalry is where we found each other and found out who we are. We roomed together our freshman year and then we talked about Brainerd and Moorhead.

I know Brainerd has got Moorhead for the last couple of years so I've made sure to tell him that a little bit.” Staehling said.

“With the rivalry, he’s kind of the guy in high school that I gotta be better than him. But now he's awesome. He’s a great guy, a great person.” Altepter said.

The two former rivals and roommates are now squaring off for playing time in the Bison linebacker room. Each of them are redshirt sophomores, entering their third year with the program and believe 2024 can be the springboard.

The two couldn’t have had different paths during their time at NDSU.

Staehling redshirted in 2022, but saw his first action last fall. He played in 14 games, registering 12 tackles and a pass breakup. Staehling saw most of his action on special teams, a place where he says he was starting to thrive.

“You got to have good footwork on punt return and on punt defense and a lot of that stuff will translate to being a linebacker you got to have good footwork, you gotta fly down and compete.” Staehling said.

Altepeter has yet to play a game for the Bison during his first two years in school. He tore his ACL during his senior season at Moorhead High in 2021 and was still recovering for much of his freshman year in 2022.

Now Altepeter is finally healthy, but recognizes he’s got work to do.

“I haven't been 100% a lot of my time here. I know that I've given them sparks here and there but definitely staying consistent in my game, understanding the playbook, that's the stuff that I have to improve on.” Altepeter added.

The two nearly committed to NDSU on the same day. Altepeter announced his commitment to NDSU on June 23, 2021. Staehling followed with his commitment on the next day.

The former Brainerd Warrior is seen as an heir apparent at the middle linebacker position with sixth-year players Luke Weerts and Nick Kubitz graduating after this season.

“My personal goals were just kind of show the coaches; I think I had a decent year last year but I want to show the coaches more of what I am and as a player, and I just want to be someone that coaches can rely on.”

The Bison linebacker room is an intriguing one to watch for 2024. NDSU returns starters in Kubitz/Weerts and all-conference player Logan Kopp. Oscar Benson is back after starting seven games last year, with Marcus Gulley poised for a bigger role in his second year after transferring in from MSU Moorhead.

Staehling and Altepeter have ideal size to play the position. Staehling seems like a perfect middle linebacker fit at 6-foot-2, 235 pounds, while Altepeter goes 6-foot-2, 221 pounds.

“My goals have just been to get on the field and stay on the field. Not to be scared to make dumb decisions because I knew that's part of the game. I haven't been able to be out here a lot since my time here, so I just want to take coaching and play fast.” Altepeter said.

Two players that have known each other for years and now ironically are battling for playing time on the same team. It’s a fact that’s not lost on either of them.

“I know Austin's been through a lot, as far as injured. So I'm super excited to see how we play him he's he's fantastic football player.”

Altepeter added: “Nathaniel’s definitely guy that I can relate to being from the Minnesota area not just that I've played with him and on the opposite side of the ball in this game.”