After a big win for Bulldog football, an even bigger game awaits
Mark Warner
Issue date: 11/24/08 Section: Sports
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Playing in the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs for the first time ever, the No. 6 Bulldogs rode an unstoppable ground game to a 20-10 victory over the No. 12 Chadron State (Neb.) Eagles Saturday at James S. Malosky Stadium. The win represents UMD's first ever playoff triumph and advances them to the national quarterfinals. Sophomore Isaac Odim led the Dogs with a career high 192 yards rushing, the lion's share of the team's 251 total rush yards.
"We really wore them down with our two back rotation today," said head coach Bob Nielson in reference to Odim's and fellow runner Brad Foss' dominance.
Saturday's game was supposed to feature a shoot out between two of Division II's elite quarterbacks. Both Ted Schlafke of UMD and Joe McLain of Chadron have been nominated for the Harlon Hill Trophy for the national player of the year. An injury held McLain out completely, while Chadron's defense did a fine job limiting Schlafke's effectiveness holding him to only 137 total yards passing, nearly 75 below his season average.
"I didn't throw the ball great all day, it might have just been an off day for me," Schlafke said. "Our main emphasis was definitely to run today."
And run they did. By riding Odim's career day, the Dog's outgained Chadron on the ground by 243 yards. Schlafke even got in on the act with two rushing touchdowns coming on scrambles (he also threw for one score). Surprisingly, perhaps, much of the credit for this yardage surplus actually belongs to the Bulldog defense, who limited the Eagles to an abysmal eight-yards rushing.
"Don't look past what our defense did today," Nielson said. "They were a real dominating force all over the field."
Leading the defense were senior captain Jim Johnson with nine tackles and linebacker Robbie Aurich who notched seven tackles, one and a half sacks and forced a fumble.
Saturday's win serves as a high water mark for UMD's football program. Schlafke said the team is aware of this, but will not let it change what they do.
"It's too early to start looking back," he said. "We're not just happy to be here."
It may be too early to look back, but now is the time to start looking forward. Up next for the Dogs will be 11-0 Grand Valley State (Mich.), the No. 1 ranked team this season and national champions in four of the last six. Odim appreciates the challenge that awaits.
"We've been prepping for tougher competition all year," Odim said. "We know we're not unbeatable. This will definitely be the biggest game in our program's history."
For a team that has passed every test sent their way all season, another big test seems passable. Either way, Johnson knows the Dogs will give it their all.
"Our guys are always ready to play. It's a privilege to be on this team," said Johnson.
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