By Jon Nowacki
News Tribune staff writer
Minnesota Duluth coach Bob Nielson called Thursday's nationally televised game against Southwest Minnesota State a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, one that he wanted his team to look back on with fondness.
After UMD's 43-21 dismantling of the Mustangs, the Bulldogs will have nothing but magical memories of Thursday.
Playing for a CBS College Sports Network audience, quarterback Ted Schlafke and UMD didn't disappoint the 4,460 fans who showed up at a refurbished Malosky Stadium for the Bulldogs' home opener. It was UMD's third consecutive blowout to start the season.
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Schlakfe completed 12 of 15 passes for 177 yards and four touchdowns and teammate Brad Foss ran 13 times for 113 yards and another score as the 15th-ranked Bulldogs overpowered their Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference foe.
"This is a lot different than last year's spread offense, and I'm loving it," Foss said.
UMD (3-0 overall, 2-0 NSIC) used two blocked punts, an efficient offense and a bend-but-don't-break defense to build a 26-0 lead after scoring on its first four drives of the first quarter. Southwest State (1-2, 1-1) had more success moving the ball after the first quarter, but the Mustangs' drives, with the exception of a 10-yard TD pass just six seconds before halftime, stalled whenever they got deep into Bulldogs territory. UMD led 29-7 at the break.
The first half was so frustrating that Southwest coach Eric Eidsness thought the Mustangs had three punts blocked.
"Maybe that was a nightmare," Eidsness said. "We just dug too big of a hole. They're an explosive offense, they're experienced and they showed the type of team they are. I was disappointed we just couldn't come out and play a little better early."
UMD continued to take advantage of great starting field position as they opened the second half at the Southwest 29-yard line after a botched onside kick. Four plays later, Schlafke connected with sophomore tight end Justin Neumann for a 7-yard touchdown catch, Neumann's first collegiate touchdown, to give UMD a 36-7 lead.
"I thought that play really put the game away," Nielson said. "I think maybe we lost a little bit of edge in the second half, but give Southwest credit for hanging in there and moving the ball.
"This game was a great thing for our campus and our community. I think it was a special opportunity for our guys."
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UMD gave the partisan crowd something to cheer about during a longer-than-usual contest. With TV timeouts, the game lasted 3 hours, 10 minutes.
The fans also appeared impressed with UMD's $6.5 million stadium project, highlighted by a towering press box overlooking the field. The new facility gives TV and other media members more space and has a floor devoted to UMD boosters and VIPs, but Bulldog Club member Dave Carlson of Duluth said everyone will benefit from improved amenities.
"My grandma's outhouse was better than the bathrooms they used to have here," Carlson said. "This will be great for all fans, no matter what the level."
JON NOWACKI covers college football. He can be reached at (218) 723-5305 or by e-mail at jnowacki@duluthnews.com .
