A sextet of seniors -- defensive ends Geoff Fischer and Russ Rabe, offensive center Adam Fechhelm, cornerback Luke Jipson, fullback Pat Kelly and running back Dave Rufledt -- will all serve as University of Minnesota Duluth football team captains in 2004 when the Bulldogs begin their inaugural year of play in the North Central Conference.



Fischer, a native of Lakeville, MN who will be entering his fourth season as a starter this fall, earned 2003 All-Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference honorable mention honors after finishing with 35 total tackles (including 10 for a loss). Rabe, a native of Lake Holcombe, WI, responded to his initial year of starting duty with the Bulldogs last fall by being named to the Football Gazette All-American first team. He was third among all NCAA II defenders in quarterback sacks (1.4 per game) and ranked first in the NSIC in that same department. The All-NSIC first team selection set UMD marks for both quarterback sacks (15.0) and tackles for a loss (19.5) while finishing the year with a team-leading 43 total tackles. Fechhelm, a second-year starter from Wausau, WI, followed up a selection to the 2002 All-NSIC second team with first team recognition last fall. Jipson, who has filled the starting left cornerback role since the start of the 2002 season, had a hand in 33 total tackles as a junior and was credited with a pair of interceptions. The South Range, WI, native also has seen ample activity on UMD's speciality teams over the past three years as a kick and punt returner. Kelly, a native of St. Paul, MN, was slowed by a nagging ankle injury in 2003 after making three starts in the Bulldog offensive backfield the previous season. Rufledt enjoyed a breakout year in 2003 and reigned as the NCAA II regular season scoring leader. The Bloomer, WI, native scored 22 touchdowns (two shy of the UMD record) for a 12.0 point per game average in 11 outings. He rushed 176 times for 1,218 yards -- the third highest single-season total in Bulldog history -- and 21 touchdowns, which was one less than the school mark set by All-American Ted McKnight 25 years ago. Rufledt, a third-year starter, also topped the NSIC in both scoring (13.5 ppg) and average yards per carry (7.6) en route to securing All-NSIC honorable mention status.



UMD, which concluded 2003 with a 8-3 overall record and finished third in the NSIC standings at 6-2, will kick off its 72nd year of intercollegiate football on August 28 when it hosts Chadron State College.