Blowin' In The Wind

One of the oldest sayings in sports is "I'd rather be lucky than good." Well I can improve on that one. I'd rather be lucky AND good! Minnesota-Duluth was just that today in front of over 11,000 bundled up fans at the Neta and Eddie DeRose Thunderbowl Saturday afternoon. The Bulldogs rode the cold arctic wind to a hard fought 24-21 win over number one ranked Colorado State University-Pueblo to advance to the NCAA Division II quarterfinals next Saturday against Wayne State (Michigan). The game was an epic battle as neither team led by more than one score all afternoon long. The Pack held a slim 21-17 lead early in the fourth quarter and looked to be in the driver's seat after all conference cornerback Stephan Dickens picked off Bulldogs QB Chase Vogler in the back of the endzone. Not only did the Thunderwolves have the lead but they had that northerly wind at their back. On first down CSU-P had what they wanted with a screen pass set up to the left but little used receiver Marquis McNeil dropped the ball. On second down another misfired pass to Paul Browning. Then on third down the Bulldogs put the capital D in defense sacking Ross Dausin for a 10 yard loss. Following a false start penalty the Pack had to punt from its own five yard line. Despite having the subsequent punt return touchdown overturned by an illegal block UMD set up shop in Thunderwolves territory at the 49 yard line. On second down from the CSU-P 45 Vogler took off on his signature run of the ball game racing 31 yards before Pack LB Damon Schiele forced a fumble punching the ball forward down to the nine. But as happened pretty much all afternoon long the ball bounced the Bulldogs way as WR Joe Reichert recovered the ball in a sea of red jerseys to give UMD 1st and goal. Reserve tailback Brian Lucas would score three plays later from the one to give the Bulldogs the lead for good. On the following kickoff into the wind and CSU-P looking for good field position Franex Dort slipped and fell with the ball at the 13. Another UMD sack of Dausin would force another punt from deep in Pack territory. This time CSU-P would hold to get the ball back but once again deep in its own territory. The Thunderwolves did magage one first down before another Dausin sack would turn the ball over on downs. Using its timeouts the Pack looked to have one final chance but a personal foul for unnecessary roughness on Corey Orth would seal the deal. In a post game interview Orth acknowledged he did pick up the ball carrier but stressed he didnt feel he body slammed him. Lets put it this way it was a definite penalty in the first quarter but in the fourth quarter referee Mark Hughes could have looked the other way but so be it. But I digress. With the automatic first down UMD went into victory formation to salt it away. As the Bulldogs left the field they not only took the wind out of the Pack's sails but they also mysteriously took the wind out of the stadium. As if on cue the wind died as did the cinderella season for the Thunderwolves. It all started in tremendous fashion for the home team as they smartly mixed pass and run marching 80 yards in 11 plays into the wind to take a 7-0 lead. On their next possession however the wind flexed its muscle knocking down Brandon Kliesen's punt for five yards setting up UMD at the Thunderwolves 34. But the Pack defense was up for the challenge forcing a 47 yard field goal attempt. I mentioned at the top the bounces that went the Bulldogs way all afternoon long. The last one led to the go ahead score. On the field goal attempt the first two of the day appeared. The snap was low and made it about two yards short of the holder who made a great stop not to mention getting the ball upright for the kick. For some reason CSU-P rushed no one on the play allowing placekicker David Nadeau to regather himself just enough to get the kick away. Bounce number two was the clank off the right upright. The ball snuck through however getting UMD on the board. Bounce number three would occur on the first play of the second quarter. Vogler was flushed from the pocket to his right and released a pass that was batted high into the air. Now normally on the tip drill its the defense that comes down with the interception but his time the ball dropped right into the lap of Reichert at the goal line to put UMD on top for the first time in the game 10-7. Late in the first half the Thunderwolves did get a huge break recovering an errant shotgun snap in the endzone to give them the halftime lead 14-10. The second half opened with a monumental 15 play 67 yard touchdown drive for UMD that should have ended on two different occasions. Facing fourth and a yard from the the Pack 35 Vogler was stuffed for no gain but CSU-P was ruled to be offsides and the drive had new life. On the next play from scrimmage senior All American candidate Lee Meisner dropped what looked to be a sure drive ending interception. Once again the bounces went UMD's way. But its not just getting the bounces its taking full advantage and thats just what UMD did as bruiser Zach Hulce went in from a yard out to give the Bulldogs the lead back. CSU-P would answer with a scintilating 12 play 80 yard march of their own highlighted by a gorgeous 29 yard reception by Josh Sandoval. Dausin would cap the drive on an electric 18 yard scramble on 3rd down and six to give the Thunderwolves the lead heading to the fateful fourth quarter. So much more to be said about this game but wanted to get my thoughts about the actual nuts and bolts of the game down before delving into that tomorrow. Plus this play-by-play guy has a cold adult beverage calling his name at a local watering hole. Congratulations to Minnesota-Duluth on a hard fought victory. I hope they win it all. As for our Thunderwolves the pain has to be immense. But someday soon they will reflect and realize just how special this season was. In four short years they have laid down a foundation for bigger and better things. The seniors that depart have left their mark but those waiting in the wings have the chance to be just as good if not better. They can only hope that 10 years from now the program in general will be as successful as the classy powerful Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs. We can also hope for less wind!