Football - News

NO. 15 BULLDOGS SCORE EARLY AND OFTEN IN 43-21 TROUNCING OF SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA STATE

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Noah Pauley bursts past SMSU defenders Michael Liggins (29) and Bryce Haessly (5) Thursday night at Malosky Stadium

Talk about making a statement.

Playing before a national television audience for the first time ever, the No. 15 University of Minnesota Duluth had a golden opportunity to showcase its football program to the entire country Thursday night. And, that’s just what the Bulldogs did.

Scoring on each of its first five possessions, UMD raced out to a 29-0 second quarter lead and went on to derail Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference rival Southwest Minnesota State University 43-21 before a crowd of 4,460 at Malosky Stadium. UMD is now 3-0 on the year and have outscored the opposition 130-39 in the process.

“This is really exciting – a great way to open up at home,” said Bulldog sophomore nose guard Jim Kunz, who had a pair of quarterback sacks. “This a defense which really believes in itself and right now I wouldn’t take any other offense in the nation over ours."

Senior quarterback and Harlon Hill hopeful Ted Schlafke threw for four touchdowns and 177 yards while completing 12 of 15 passes for the Bulldogs, who have lost just once in 15 lifetime meetings with the Mustangs (1-2). Schlafke, the NSIC North Division Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, wasted no time in denting the Mustang defense, connecting on a 33-yard scoring strike to freshman wide receiver D.J. Winfield on UMD’s first play from scrimmage (following a blocked punt). The balanced Bulldog offensive attack generated 402 yards on the night, including 228 on the ground. Sophomore Brad Foss led the way with a career-high 113 yards on 13 carries while Schlafke added another 50.

“Although it was televised nationally, it was just another game for us,” said Foss, a native of Mahtomedi, Minn. “We were definitely ready to play right from the opening kickoff. With the balance we have on offense, it gives us so many options out there and that showed tonight.”

The Bulldogs will hit the road for the third time in four weeks next Saturday with an NSIC engagement against Augustana College.

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