Odim leads Pioneers to NEFL title
Former Minnesota Duluth standout Isaac Odim rushed for 221 yards and two touchdowns as the St. Paul Pioneers capped an unbeaten season with a 35-12 victory over the Chippewa Valley Predators on Saturday night in the Northern Elite Football League's Elite Bowl V championship game at Seafoam Stadium in St. Paul.
It was the third straight NEFL title for the Pioneers (11-0), who outscored opponents 482-43 this season, or 44-4 per contest. St. Paul had six shutouts and never allowed more than 13 points in a contest.
Odim, who played at UMD from 2008-10 and graduated as the Bulldogs' all-time leading running back, was joined on the Pioneers by former teammate Brad Foss. The backfield duo helped UMD win NCAA Division II titles in 2008 and '10.
Foss, third on the Bulldogs' all-time rushing chart, tore his anterior cruciate ligament the second game of the season for the Pioneers and had surgery. Foss could still play if St. Paul is invited to any postseason bowl games.
