'Whoever your son is playing for, you're going to cheer for them'; Belquist family prepares for NDSU - UND

GRAND FORKS, ND - In the summer of 2019, Bo Belquist made up his mind of where he was going to go to college and play football. What is typically a day of celebration for most families, for the Belquists of New Rockford, North Dakota, there was a slightly different reaction.

"The first time I put that shirt on, it was like...ehhhhhh." Elliott Belquist said.

What other reaction would you expect from a former Bison wide receiver when he was asked to put on a University of North Dakota shirt?

That's exactly what happened for Belquist, a four year wide receiver at North Dakota State from 2000-03 when his son, Bo, a highly touted prospect out of New Rockford, North Dakota, decided to go to UND in the fall of 2019.

"UND showed more interest, they reached out more they stayed in contact with me, it felt like they wanted me more." Bo said.

"You have to do what's better for you. After that UND visit you could see he had something in his eyes for that place." Elliott said.

Bo was the North Dakota 9-man player of the year at New Rockford-Sheyenne, leading the Rockets to a state semifinal appearance in 2019.

Bo's arrival in Grand Forks opened eyes across the state in the spring of 2021. He scored three touchdowns in six games during the spring, including a pretty memorable grab inside the Fargodome for the entire Belquist family against NDSU.

"That was one of the best feelings so far playing, just going there and growing up and watching those games, scoring those touchdowns, it was a really good feeling." Bo said.

"That was pretty special, actually when UND came out in the endzone, that got me chocked up, that was pretty special, once that went by and kickoff happened and he was able to grab that touchdown, one of the best moments for me in 2021." Elliott said.

Bo doubled down against the Bison, adding a 30 yard touchdown score against NDSU in the Alerus Center in October of 2021.

Bo has soared over the last two years for the Fighting Hawks. He's led the team in receptions each of the last two seasons, while finding the endzone eleven times. He's become the deep threat that UND has lacked over the last few seasons.

Elliott and his brother Alex, Bo's uncle, each played wide receiver at NDSU. Elliott finished with 45 receptions and five touchdowns during his career with the Bison.

As far as rooting interest, there's no doubt who Elliott will be cheering for Saturday. And that's what he's been telling his college teammates.

"I get that question all the time, how can you cheer for them? Put yourself in that situation, you dream about making big plays. And then to see your son do it, whoever you're son is playing for, you're going to cheer for them."