December 14th, 2010 12:00am
One of the more remarkable runs in college football history came to an end last Saturday with Northwest Missouri State's 17-13 semifinal loss to Minnesota-Duluth. For five straight years the Bearcats reached the national championship game, and it will certainly seem strange not to have them in Florence this weekend.
What makes the Northwest run so impressive is that, at times anyway, the Bearcats weren't dominant. And I mean that as a compliment. This was a team that was seemingly made of Teflon when it came playoff time. It did not matter the circumstance or how good the opponent, Northwest found a way to win. A few facts to consider:
-Outside of the national championship games and until losing on Saturday, Northwest had been 19-0 in the playoffs over the past five seasons.
-On five different occasions, the Bearcats beat a team in the playoffs that they lost to in the regular season.
-Only once (in 2006) did Northwest enter the postseason undefeated. That was also the only year of the five that the Bearcats were a number one seed in their own region.
-On five different occasions the Bearcats knocked off a previously unbeaten team. Northwest also knocked the eventual Harlon Hill Trophy winner's team out of the playoffs three different times (it will be four if Central Missouri's Eric Czerniewski wins this year's award on Friday).
-And then there were the close calls. Northwest scored in the final minute of the 2005 semifinals to beat North Alabama. There was a hard fought 28-21 win over Danny Woodhead and Chadron State in 2006. They converted on a 4th and 10 in the final minute to beat Pittsburg State 38-35 in the 2008 playoffs. Last year it took a blocked extra point in the final minute to hold on to a 21-20 win over top-ranked Central Washington. And it has been well documented the second half comebacks it took in the first two rounds for Northwest to advance this season.
Literally, a missed play or two in any of those playoff games could have meant the end of Northwest's season. But the Bearcats made that play every time… until last Saturday.
With the Bearcats needing to replace Harlon Hill finalist Blake Bolles at quarterback, standout tight end Josh Baker, four solid offensive linemen and 10 of their top 12 tacklers on defense, it would seem the Bearcats may slip back to the pack a bit next season. But if there is one thing we all should have learned over the past few years, it's to never count out a Mel Tjeerdsma-coached team.
Semifinal Thoughts
Delta State 29 Shepherd 17
-A great deal of credit has to go to the DSU defense for its play all throughout the postseason and for shutting down a red hot Shepherd offense. Keep in mind that this unit gave up 31 points or more six times in the regular season, but just 48 points total in three playoff games. That's a pretty impressive transformation.
-Shepherd did a nice job of staying in the game into the fourth quarter, but DSU's team speed eventually took over. The 64-yard Micah Davis to Carlton Ollie TD pass that gave DSU a nine point lead in the third quarter was a back breaker.
-Stat of the game: Shepherd ran the ball 34 times for just 69 yards. The Rams had run for well over 200 yards in each of their previous three playoff games.
-The 3rd quarter lightning delay came at a really bad time for Shepherd. Keep in mind that they were down just three points at the time, and had returned an interception 51 yards into DSU territory just before the delay occurred. The delay robbed Shepherd of some natural momentum from the interception. The soaked field after the delay was probably also was an advantage for DSU because of their superior team speed.
-Despite the loss, the Rams represented themselves well and finally got a shot at taking on a top notch team from out of their own region. This should be of great benefit to the program down the road as it continues to build.
Minnesota-Duluth 17 Northwest Missouri State 13
-I thought the biggest key to the whole game was UMD's touchdown drive in the third quarter just after Northwest had taken a 13-3 lead. Keep in mind that the Bulldog quarterback Chase Vogler got hurt early in that drive, but the UMD kept plugging away and scored with him on the sidelines. Without that score on that drive, I don't think the Bulldogs could have come back.
-Blake Bolles didn't have his best game. His interceptions seemed to be a case of locking on to the intended receiver and although he did have 30 rushing yards, it seemed like he could have had many more if he had been more aggressive in that regard.
-It really is amazing to watch how disciplined UMD is. They are assignment sharp on every play and don't commit stupid penalties. More teams should play football like this.
-Northwest could really have used a Xavier Omon or LaRon Council type of back in this game. The lack of a big-time back really was the Achilles Heel to the Bearcat team this season.
-It's ironic that instant replay on the last 4th down spot is what finally did in Northwest. It figures that it would take something unusual to finally put an end to the Bearcats' great playoff run.
National Championship
Minnesota-Duluth (14-0) versus Delta State (11-3)
TV: ESPN2 at 11:00 Eastern
What a contrast between these two teams. We have far north versus deep south. Strength versus speed. UMD is built on four year players while DSU has 59 transfers on its roster. UMD cruised through the regular season but has had to fight its way through the playoffs while DSU fought its way through the regular season and has cruised in the playoffs. A team that is as disciplined as they come (UMD) versus a team that prefers to get into a helter-skelter type of game where their athletes can take over. And I could go on. The stark contrasts between the two programs will make this a very interesting game to watch unfold.
Keys to the Game for UMD:
-Not allow any big plays. The Bulldogs have been great at doing this all season, but DSU has speed at the wide receiver spots. As long as the UMD defense keeps everything in front of them, DSU will have a hard time moving the football.
-Get pressure on Micah Davis. Davis has thrown 18 interceptions this season, including three last week against Shepherd. If the Bulldogs' front seven can apply pressure, there is a good chance they can force Davis into mistakes.
-Keep on running. UMD has been pounding the football this entire postseason and that would seem to be the best way to move the ball against DSU's smallish but quick defensive unit. I look for the Bulldogs to once again run the ball 50-60 times and try to wear out the DSU defense.
Keys to the Game for DSU:
-Hold on to the football. The Statesmen were sloppy last week, with several fumbles and poor throws. The Bulldogs will feast on any mistakes made and turn them into points. DSU must also limit silly penalties against a team as disciplined as UMD.
-Make a couple of big plays offensively. As I mentioned above, the Bulldogs are so fundamentally sound on defense that it is difficult for opponents to score unless they can mount long drives. DSU is out manned up front physically and will have a very difficult time scoring points unless they can loosen up UMD's defense with the big play.
-Somehow force UMD to throw the football. The Statesmen will get pounded by the physical Bulldog offensive line and backs if they cannot stop the run. Plus, their best chance of forcing some UMD mistakes is to make them throw the football. With as patient as the Bulldogs are, this may be easier said than done.
Prediction: The Bulldogs have proven in the playoffs that, despite missing so many key skill position players, football games are still won at the line of scrimmage. I think UMD has a big advantage up front on both sides of the ball and they play such a disciplined style that it will be difficult for the Statesmen unless they play a perfect game. The last nine title games have been decided by a touchdown or less, but I think this game will fall just outside of that. Minnesota-Duluth 24 Delta State 14.
See You in Florence
Myself, Brandon, and several other D2Football.com regulars will be at Sidelines Sports Bar in Florence at around 9 PM on Friday night. If you are in town for the game, feel free to stop by and visit.
Contact
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