The pass was down the field, as football announcers like to say, a deep ball, a game-changer if it connected and netted a big gain. It came late in Saturday's tied tilt for a national championship.
But was the ball floating? Maybe just a little? Breathless University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs football fans certainly hoped so as they paused, wide-eyed, watching Delta State go for the big hit, the completion that would march them ever closer to a game-winning field goal try.
But the ball did float -- right into the gloved, outstretched hands of UMD's Cody Eich, who made a heck of a play, considering the pressure-packed enormity of the moment, to grab it and hold on.
A couple of plays later, with the game clock winding down, the Bulldogs were the ones lining up for the game-winning kick. David Nadeau's boot hooked left, hard left, but not before splitting the uprights and giving UMD -- and all us jubilant fans back home -- a second Division II NCAA football championship in three years.
In the next morning's paper, News Tribune Sports Editor Rick Lubbers dared dally with "dynasty" before settling on "perennial power" to describe our guys.
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Indeed. Love 'em! UMD went undefeated this season, winning a whopping 15 straight games, despite the loss of star running back Isaac Odim to injury and other seemingly insurmountable challenges. In all four games in the playoffs the Bulldogs trailed before prevailing in thrilling after thrilling fashion. This was a team that refused to quit, that wouldn't stop fighting and clawing. This was a season to remember.
Congratulations to the Bulldogs -- excuse us, congratulations to the champion Bulldogs! The glow of their triumph warms our otherwise bitterly cold winter.
But the Bulldogs weren't the only heroes this weekend.
Off-duty Duluth firefighter Brad Bushey was among several quick responders who dashed from the stands and into life-saving action after a game official collapsed between periods of a hockey game at Mars Lakeview Arena between the Marshall Hilltoppers, Bushey's nephew's team, and the Crookston Pirates. Bushey administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation, re-
established a heartbeat, and helped the referee, Pat Milinovich, begin to breathe on his own again.
Congratulations to Bushey and the others who reacted so quickly and who responded so effectively. May Milinovich enjoy a speedy recovery and years of health. And may his loved ones enjoy him.
Years ago, sportscaster Mel Allen used to ask, famously, and with an enthusiasm bordering on hysteria, "How about that?!" The Northland can do the same after a pair of heart-stopping sporting events in one weekend -- one of them literally so.
