Dear reader:
We’ve asked a few Division III players to join our blog and give us an inside look into life in Division III football. Allow us to re-introduce Augustana wingback J.J. McDowell, who originally wrote for us as a junior last season in Around the Midwest:
The newborn 2005 season has already presented my teammates and I with a few significant experiences. Before we even had the chance to take the field against an opponent we lost senior captain Chris Studer to a broken arm. Chris is the type of player/person that every coach yearns to have on his roster. For three years he has put nothing less than one hundred percent into every off-season workout and every practice without a single complaint. Then his senior year rolls around, and his hard work and commitment finally earn him the opportunity to show what he is capable of doing on Saturday afternoons, but after one play, it is all taken away from him after an awkward landing after a reception. Unfortunately, Chris will miss the rest of the season, but he still hasn’t complained nor has he missed a single practice. He may not be strapping it up with us on Saturdays, but because of what he means to his teammates and this program, he remains to be a staple on the 2005 Augie football team.
Heading into week four after a bye week, with a record of 1-1, we hosted the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in front of our 1985 National Championship team. The defense came up with a stop on the opening drive, and we responded with a 92 yard drive resulting in seven points. A long interception return by defensive back Travis Shea, and a blocked punt by junior Aaron Call sparked the offensive ground attack and the momentum carried throughout the entire game. Though we walked away with a strong effort and a 45- 14 victory, we lost starting center, sophomore Donnie Gelsomino to yet, another broken limb. During the first half, at the end of a running play, a series of screams could be heard throughout Ericson field. I was ahead of the play so when I turned around I found Donnie, a kid who had worked so hard to earn a starting spot, lying there holding his leg up as his foot awkwardly hung with no support. Donnie suffered a broken leg, but just like Chris, will continue to be an essential part of this team.
Looking beyond our misfortunes, it was nice to get a big win in front of the 1985 National Championship team. One of my roommates who does not participate in football has an uncle who was on the ‘85 team, and after the game a bunch of alumni were at my house and I had the opportunity to talk to them for a while. It was fun swapping stories because many of the drills in practice and coaches they had are still around today. We shared quite a few laughs and I got to meet Brad Price, one of the greatest running backs Augie football has ever seen. It was enlightening to hear stories of the past and see their faces light up when talking of the championships or cracking a joke on a former teammate.
Next week we meet up with North Park University (3-0) for our second home game in a row. No matter what previous seasons North Park has had, running backs coach, Tom Schmulbach was quick to point out that they are currently leading the conference in rushing defense. That is all he needed to say, these Vikings will be ready for the challenge.
Mt. Union is a hell of a team, but they have not won 4 National Championships in a row like Augustana has. GO AUGIE!!!
Good Point SeanGOP. Augie actually spanked Mt. Union in the 1985 play-offs enroute to the team’s third National Championship. I actually saw the 1999 Augie vs. Mt. Union battle in Defiance, Ohio. Augie dominated the game before falling in the fourth quarter. Augustana was the team of the ’80s, but you have to give Mt. Union the ’90s. The 2000s is still up in the air.
Go Augie!
Cobra, your memory isn’t too good. I too was at the game and it was in Alliance, not Defiance. You lost the lead in the 3Q, not the 4Q. You must think domination of a game is defined by the length of time an offense is on the field. By that standard, and that alone, Augie did dominate that game and probably most games they play. Unfortunately for Augie, they didn’t dominate the scoreboard as it took Mount less than 12 minutes for their O to score 42 points.
Cobra,
Let me fill in a little more of your faulty memory.
Augustana won that day but they certainly did not spank anyone. The score was 21-14. Mount outgained Augustana by about 100 yards and turned the ball over four times which was the difference in the game. The game wass played on a field of snow and ice. And yes it was snow and ice for both teams.
I do not know any definition of 21-14 that makes it a “spanking”.
Augie also beat Mt. Union 16-7 in Alliance on their way to the 1986 National Championship.
Mount Union fans are justified in claiming greatness – no doubt. However, 4 in a row from Augie is damn impressive – and that is when even fewer teams were allowed into the playoffs. Under the current playoff format, Augie would have been in the playoffs even more, and they rise in the playoffs.
Augie was the team of the 80’s, and Mt Union was the team of the 90’s. Who is the team of this decade?
Augie has one of the toughest conferences in the US. I can only compare it to the U-W conference in depth.
GO AUGIE. I was a freshman in 88-89 and they always killed. I was known as “Gucc” (pronounced Gooch).
Augie over Carthage- just like last year!
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