Div. II quarterfinals: UMD taking on perennial power

The Bulldogs take on Grand Valley State, which has won four of the past six Division II titles, in the national quarterfinals Saturday.

By DENNIS BRACKIN, Star Tribune

Last update: November 28, 2008 - 7:36 AM

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MINNESOTA-DULUTH VS. GRAND VALLEY STATE Division II quarterfinals • Noon Saturday • Allendale, Mich.

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Grand Valley State has become the New York Yankees of Division II football, capturing four of the past six national titles.

"We just hope they're the Yankees of this year,'' said UMD senior quarterback Ted Schlafke, referring to the perennial power that missed qualifying for the playoffs last summer.

Schlafke will lead unbeaten UMD against Grand Valley in the Division II quarterfinals Saturday, and he's well aware he's not going to encounter a foe mired in a down season. Grand Valley State is, as usual, unbeaten and ranked No. 1 nationally.

Still, there is hope at UMD. Schlafke is convinced UMD's strengths match up well against Grand Valley State's. Take the pass rush, for instance, where Grand Valley State leads Division II with 4.18 sacks a game. GVSU accumulated eight sacks last week in destroying Ashland 40-7.

Schlafke, a senior, is a dual threat quarterback, adept at running and passing. He has completed 66.8 percent of his passes for 2,589 yards this season, and has frequently scrambled out of trouble, evidenced by his 426 yards rushing.

"They'll definitely try [to pressure the quarterback],'' Schlafke said. "But at the same time, I think we've given up 10 sacks [actually 11] all year. Part of that is me running around a little bit. ... And I don't think they've seen an offensive line anywhere near as talented and athletic as we have.''

The game not only will match unbeatens but teams ranked at or near the top of numerous Division II categories -- on both sides of the ball. UMD is No. 3 in scoring defense (11.6 ppg), Grand Valley State No. 4 (12.1 ppg). UMD is No. 3 nationally in scoring offense (44.0 ppg), Grand Valley State No. 7 (40.82).

Schlafke is No. 3 nationally in passing efficiency. But Grand Valley State QB Brad Iciek is No. 2. Both teams are also among the top 10 nationally in team rushing, although Grand Valley State will be without leading rusher Jimmy Berezik, suspended indefinitely after being charged with resisting a police officer and underage possession of alcohol.

Not that the loss of one player is likely to sidetrack GVSU, which UMD coach Bob Nielson -- also the school's athletic director -- describes as "a very deep football team, with a lot of weapons.''

Nielson and Schlafke both say UMD is going to have to be at its best to emerge with a victory Saturday. But with a veteran team -- 10 senior starters have been with the program since their redshirt freshman seasons in 2004 -- UMD coaches and players are confident.

"We've played in front of some of those big North Dakota crowds the past few years, and we went to Northern Iowa a couple years ago,'' Schlafke said. "It's always fun to go into another team's place, especially a hostile environment. We're definitely looking forward to it.''

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