Area football: UMD begins title defense with victory at Augustana

Minnesota Duluth started its 2011 campaign the same way its 2010 season ended -- with a victory.

The defending national champion Bulldogs, ranked No. 1 in NCAA Division II, needed contributions from all areas Saturday to turn back the ninth-ranked Vikings 20-12 in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Clinging to a 13-12 lead midway through the fourth quarter, sophomore defensive back Kenny Chowa intercepted an Augustana pass and raced 39 yards for a TD.

Freshman running back Brian Lucas amassed 116 yards on 19 carries in his debut, including a 67-yard romp on Minnesota Duluth's opening drive of the game. David Nadeau connected on a pair of field goals (41, 44 yards) for Duluth.

Bulldogs quarterback Chase Vogler completed 12 of 18 passes for 114 yards.

Josh Hanson completed 23 of 35 passes for 235 yards and two TDs for Augustana.

NSIC Concordia (St. Paul) 43, Minot State 31: The Golden Bears outpaced the Beavers behind a 357-yard, three-touchdown performance from quarterback James Peterson. The sophomore connected on TD passes of 77 and 56 yards to senior Charles Gilbert.

MSU Moorhead 28, Robert Morris (Ill.) 17: The Dragons earned the road victory behind a four-touchdown performance by senior quarterback Kevin Koch. Senior receiver Shawn Marlowe tallied eight receptions for 123 yards and two touchdowns.

Michigan Tech 23, Winona State 6: Garrett Mead kicked three field goals and the Huskies took advantage of four Warriors turnovers for the victory in Winona.

Upper Iowa 15, Texas A&M-Commerce 14: The host Peacocks prevailed thanks in part to a team safety in the first quarter that proved to be the difference.

UMACMinnesota Morris 28, MacMurray 3: Senior Todd Gramenz (116) and sophomore Leandro Dower (119) each topped the 100-yard rushing mark for the host Cougars. The pair combined for three rushing touchdowns as Morris ran for 290 yards on the day.

Maranatha Baptist 26, Martin Luther 12: The Knights committed nine turnovers despite outgaining the Crusaders 341-229 in total yardage. Maranatha quarterback Phil Littrell passed for three TDs.

Westminster (Mo.) 51, Rockford 24: Scott Rodgers threw for three TDs for Westminster.

WIAC Wisconsin-Stout 19, Black Hills St. (S.D.) 7: Junior running back Eric Brown's score in the first quarter helped carry the Blue Devils in Menomonie, Wis. Brown rushed for 73 yards on 16 carries.

Wisconsin-Platteville 38, Buena Vista (Ia.) 3: Junior quarterback Nick Anderson threw for three TDs as the Pioneers cruised in Platteville.