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Home > Sports > Bulldogs bring in big homecoming win
Bulldogs bring in big homecoming win
BY KJESTINE STEINBRING
statesman staff writer
LARAMIE CARLSON / STATESMAN
The Bulldogs entered Malosky Stadium, commemorating 75 years of football competition, with determination to win their homecoming against Western Washington. "We know our role in homecoming," said Coach Kyle "Bubba" Schweigert before the game. "We're expected to prepare for the game and do well."
Going into Saturday's game, the team wanted to focus on controlling the football and keeping Western Washington's offense off the field, said Schweigert. The practice seemed to pay off as everyone played their roles perfectly at the game.
At the end of the first quarter, senior Cody Ahmann sacked the quarterback on the 17-yard line to set up a touchdown pass from senior Ted Schlafke to senior wide receiver Brandan Anson. The extra point attempt was missed by Britt Baumann, to leave the score at 6-0. "The team was playing so well, and we were all on the same page, which was great,"; said freshman wide reciever Dennis Carter. UMD struck again in the second quarter with a 19-yard pass from Schlafke to freshman wide reciever Bryan Gambuzza, to make the score 12-0.
The extra point was missed again.
"We played really well the first half," said Schweigert. "It gave us a lot of confidence." The defense held Washington to 84 yards and six first-downs, giving Duluth a solid 12-0 lead at halftime. The second half, however, was nerve racking.
Western Washington marched down the field with a nine-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Adam Perry to junior wide reciever Travis Mckee to cut the score to 12-7 at the end of the third quarter. "We made some adjustments to how they were playing in the third," said Schweigert. "We just wanted to see how they were going to counter what we were doing." UMD was within three yards of the goal line twice at the beginning of the fourth quarter, and to the frustration of fans, only had one field goal, making the score 15-7. "Offense played well, but there's room for a lot of improvement," said Gambuzza. "We know we can score more points." Schlafke and Anson connected on a eight-yard pass that set up yet another touchdown, making the score 22-7.
Duluth fans felt pretty comfortable with the current situation of their beloved Bulldogs, but had to hold their post-game celebration as Western Washington's quarterback, Perry, scored after a QB sneak with 5:13 left in the fourth quarter, making the score 22-14. "When we started the third quarter, I thought that we were going to kill them," said freshman Alyssa Stafki. "Then they [Washington] scored and I was really nervous we were going to lose."
The Bulldogs took care of the ball on their next drive, insuring the final score of 22-14, much to the fans" delight. "We played well, but every week there's something to work on," said Schweigert. This win also ended a three game losing streak for the Bulldogs.
"We played well, but we'll try to be more consistent next week," said Carter. Along with the festivities, five, former athletes were also inducted into the Duluth Hall of Fame: Scott Gernander, a football and basketball player from 1965-1969; Linda Larson, a volleyball, basketball and softball coach from 1975-2002; Ed Lundstrom, a football, basketball and track athlete, and assistant football and women's skiing coach from 1958-1974; Shjon Podein, a hockey player from 1987-1990; and Diane Ruhl who played softball, volleyball and basketball from 1979-1983.
