Vogler looks to lead Bulldogs to national championship

Minnesota Duluth quarterback Chase Vogler is looking to help lead the Bulldogs to a third national championship since 2008.

“I have been fortunate enough to play on some great UMD football teams,” Vogler said. “I think we have the same formula that we had in 2008 and 2010, with a really good offensive line and a defense that is hitting its stride at the right time.”

Vogler also said he believes that his abilities at quarterback are far more developed than they were in his previous three seasons.

The Bulldogs travel to St. Joseph Missouri to take on Missouri Western State in the first-round of the NCAA Div. II playoffs Nov. 17. This is the UMD’s fifth consecutive season with a post-season appearance.

However, in the previous four post-seasons the Bulldogs had home field advantage, whereas this season they will be on the road, as they are the sixth seed.

Missouri Western State has been winless in its three previous playoff appearances in 2006, 2010 and 2011, but the Bulldogs know their opponent can not be taken lightly.

“We have to execute our assignments and be completely prepared and have good weeks of practice,” Vogler said. “We have to control the ball, and win the turnover battle.”

UMD and Missouri Western have played only twice in program history. In 2007, Missouri Western won 45-27 in Duluth; in 2008, the Bulldogs returned the favor with a 47-18 victory in Missouri.

In the last four seasons, Vogler has seen a change in the competition in the NSIC, which has made the Bulldogs to have to battle each and every game and not take any opponent lightly.

“I think this conference as a whole has improved over the last few years and is continuing to improve each year,” Vogler said. “You never really know what is going to happen each week around the

conference.”

As this is Vogler’s final season as a Bulldog, he was happy to reflect on his career at UMD and his time both on campus and in the city.

“It has meant a lot,” he said. “I wouldn’t change it for anything. I have had the opportunity to play alongside some of my best friends over the years and have been able to be on the winning end of the scoreboard a lot more times than the losing one. I love the city of Duluth and the school here and it has been a great four years.”

Kickoff for the game is set for noon, Saturday, Nov. 17.

Duluthian Sarah Packingham writes about sports for the Budgeteer. Contact her at sarah.packingham@gmail.com.

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