GRAND FORKS, N.D. -- One of the main goals this season for the University of North Dakota football team was to win the Great West Conference championship. That goal is within reach.

The Fighting Sioux head to UC Davis on Saturday. The winner will win the conference title.

For UND that championship is a significant milestone in the Division I transition. The season has been up and down, but the chance to hang a banner goes a long way in establishing itself as a team at this level.

"I think we've been playing hard all season and this has definitely been our goal," junior nose tackle Ty Boyle said. "Ever since we've moved to Division I, we've been talking about winning a conference championship. We have a chance to do that this week."

Second trip to UC Davis

This will be the third time the two progams have faced each other, and second trip in a row to Davis, Calif., for the Fighting Sioux. Last year, the Sioux lost 34-21 to the Aggies.

Boyle said being familiar with the setting and trip routine of same hotels and restaurants helps out the second time around.

"They had a good fan base, I remember last year," Boyle said. "Nice stadium. It was pretty loud the entire game. It's going to be pretty exciting, especially with the conference championship on the line."

Head coach Chris Mussman said the game will be a lot more "normal" to the players, especially playing an afternoon game. Last year's game at UC Davis was a night game.

"I kind of like this trip a little bit," Mussman said. "We may not be able to get onto the field on Friday, but most of our guys have been there, so I'm not going to sweat that too much."

The Fighting Sioux depart Grand Forks on Friday morning.

Correcting mistakes

Last season's game as also one of the first times that UND got a good taste of the DI-FCS level, and the match-up was the first Great West Conference game for the Sioux. They found out that you need to take advantage of scoring opportunities.

The Sioux had a number of potential scoring chances never make it to the scoreboard. There was a dropped touchdown reception, missed field goal, a sack the put the offense out of field goal range, and a neutral zone infraction on a play UND intercepted and ran for a touchdown.

"We played well and we played with them, so that's the thing you take from it," Mussman said.

Overheard in the locker room:

• There's a buzz and energy level from the team as they practiced on Wednesday.
• Not knowing the context of the conversation or the potential metaphorical reference, quarterback Jake Landry said Boyle eats nails, but said the nose tackle was still probably smater than him. He may have been saying nice things to avoid getting sacked during practice.
• Movember, a global movement to grow moustaches to raise awareness for men's cancers, is sweeping the UND athletics department. A number of players on the football have started growing staches. The UND men's basketball team and coaching staff are also growing the facial hair. You can follow their progress on a recent blog update here.