The four-level, $6.5 million structure towering over Malosky Stadium isn't the only face-lift the Minnesota Duluth football program underwent lately.
Though the six-story facade that houses an updated press box and Bulldog Club room is impressive, what's even more noteworthy is the upgrade the football team has received.
While UMD's 43-21 victory over an outclassed Southwest Minnesota State team perhaps isn't the best indication of how improved the Bulldogs are from their 4-6 season a year ago, the precision and efficiency they displayed on offense and the tenacity shown on defense and special teams are.
Record-setting senior quarterback Ted Schlafke is back with his corps of talented receivers, but the difference is coach Bob Nielson's reliance on a balanced offensive approach. The Bulldogs rushed for 225 yards -- 156 in the first half -- an almost unheard of total under former head coach Bubba Schweigert and his pass-happy offensive scheme.
Brad Foss gained 113 yards on 13 carries -- the second running back in a row to crack the 100-yard barrier -- something that failed to happen once in Schweigert's final 2½ years on the sideline.
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The resurgence of a ground attack likely put a smile on the face of longtime coach Jim Malosky, who was honored at midfield before the game and was noted for his three-yards-and-a-cloud-of-dust philosophy.
"We hadn't tried to run the football the last few years, that wasn't a part of what we were trying to do offensively," said Nielson, who has started 3-0 in his second go-round as UMD coach. "But our offensive linemen have adapted to it well ... and I truly believe it has made us more efficient."
The win came on the heels of equally impressive showings in a 40-0 win over Concordia-St. Paul and 47-18 win over Missouri Western State.
"It makes your passing game better when you can run the football," Nielson said. "We've proven that, particularly in the past couple weeks. I'm pleased with our performance."
The drawback is that most Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference opponents aren't close to the quality of their former North Central Conference brethren. UMD beat Southwest Minnesota State 39-0 in the teams' last meeting in 2003, a year before the Bulldogs began their short stay in the now-defunct NCC, and is 24-5-1 all-time versus the Mustangs.
The Bulldogs scored on their first four possessions, thanks to two punt blocks by the special teams, and led 26-0 before the end of the first quarter. Schlafke completed 12 of 15 attempts and threw four touchdown passes before 4,460 fans and a national television audience. In previous years, it wasn't rare for Schlafke to have 15 attempts in the first quarter.
While he may finish with his worst year statistically, this could be Schlafke's best year performance-wise and victories should help him stay in the running for the Harlon Hill Trophy.
"With any offense, you have to make the right decisions and get the ball into the hands of your playmakers," Schlafke said. "[The receivers] didn't catch all those balls in the end zone, so they were doing some work, too."
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So were the running backs and the offensive line, which is a pleasant change from recent seasons.
RICK WEEGMAN can be reached at (218) 723-5302, (800) 456-8181 or by e-mail at rweegman@duluthnews.com
