FB: Big plays, defense propel Bulldogs to opening win

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The Concordia University, Nebraska football team opened the 2007 season with a 36-23 win over the Chargers of Briar Cliff on Saturday evening at Bulldog Stadium in Seward.

This marks the first time since 2004 that Concordia (1-0, 1-0 GPAC) has defeated the Chargers (0-1, 0-1 GPAC).

Concordia used a solid performance from senior running back JaMaine Lewis and a handful of big plays en route to the 13-point victory. Lewis finished the game with 150 yards of 18 carries (8.3 yds/carry) and a pair of TDs.

The Chargers opened the scoring with a one-yard TD plunge by running back Adam Robards with 9:14 left in the first quarter. Briar Cliff took advantage of great field position after picking off Bulldog QB Kyle Schmidt and returning it to the one yard line.

On the ensuing kickoff senior Jeff Neujahr got to the outside, rambling 98-yards to paydirt to pull the Bulldogs within one. Concordia was unable to convert the extra point, as the snap was bad. Neujahr had two kickoff returns for touchdowns in 2006 and led the GPAC with an average of 31.4 yards per return.

After an inadvertent whistle forced the replay of a punting situation that saw the Bulldogs recover a Briar Cliff fumble, the Bulldogs snapped the ball over the punter, James Refenes' head into the endzone for a safety, giving the Chargers a 9-6 advantage.

In the second quarter the Bulldogs took over on downs, holding the Chargers on a fourth and two play from the Concordia 29. Two plays later Lewis scampered 68 yards down the sideline, using a nifty stop and go move for the TD.

Michael Saalfeld tacked on a 34-yard field goal with 1:40 left in the half to give the Bulldogs a 16-9 lead at intermission.

The Bulldog defense came up big in the third quarter, allowing just 39 total yards in the frame, including just two yards on the ground by the Chargers. Concordia had a pair of sacks in the third quarter, one by freshman linebacker Jeremy Walrath, the other by junior defensive lineman Matt Baller.

Lewis scored the other touchdown of the quarter on a two-yard plunge, making it 30-9. Concordia had great field position thanks to a 27-yard punt return by Neujahr. On the drive Lewis had 15 of the Bulldogs 22 yards.

After taking over on downs in the fourth quarter, junior fullback Chad Harmon broke free up the middle, out running the defense for a 65-yard TD, the Bulldogs final score of the game. The PAT failed.

Briar Cliff added a pair of scores in the fourth quarter, including a 46-yard TD pass from back-up QB Claussen to Lindsey. The Chargers finished with 118 yards through the air in the fourth quarter alone. For the game Briar Cliff had success via the pass, completing 19 of 37 passes for 220 yards.

Defensively for the Bulldogs defensive back Jim Landers led the way with 5.5 tackles. Also in the secondary, freshman Preston Harris and sophomore Micah Sirek each hauled in interceptions. Senior linebacker Trent Laune had the other takeaway of the night, recovering a fumble.

Walrath finished with a pair of sacks for Concordia, as did Matt Baller. Luike Staab also added a sack to go along with 3.5 tackles.

Offensively, in addition to the big night by Lewis, Neujahr finished with 138 all-purpose yards. Sophomore Derrick Woods hauled in three balls for 28 yards, while Schmidt went 7-of-16 for 91 yards with one interception and a touchdown.

Concordia travels to Blair, Neb., next Saturday to take on the Dana College Vikings at 1 p.m.

Posted by Sports Information on 9/2/2007 12:30:00 AM

FB: Big plays, defense propel Bulldogs to opening win

FB: Big plays, defense propel Bulldogs to opening win

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