The connection between quarterback Kyle Walljasper and DaShaun Ames was in full view Saturday, and the result was a three touchdown haul, that along with a stingy defense, allowed the University of Minnesota Duluth football team to defeat Concordia University, St. Paul 35-7 at Sea Foam Stadium in St. Paul, Minn.
The Bulldogs picked up their third-straight win in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play and extended their winning streak against the Golden Bears to 11-games strong.
After a scoreless first quarter, the Bulldogs broke through in a big way with two touchdowns in the final four minutes of the first half. The first was a 55-yard TD pass from Walljasper to Ames at 3:53, followed by a Curtis Cox extra point kick that gave UMD the game's first lead of 7-0. Then, with just 23 seconds left in the quarter, Walljasper hit Ames again on another 11-yard TD route to give the Bulldogs a 14-0 advantage at the half.
Walljasper and Ames weren't done, however. Jarrett Bennett's interception and 31-yard return at the 12:11 mark set the Bulldogs up well, and UMD scored just five plays later when Walljasper found Ames wide open for the 7-yard TD to push UMD ahead 21-0.
CSP finally ran a score in with 3:16 left in the frame, but they wouldn't strike again, hemmed in by a UMD defense that caused two turnovers in the contest that led to 14 points.
The Bulldogs made it a 28-7 game with 8:56 left in the fourth quarter on a 29-yard TD run from Ben Vallafskey, and RB Daniel Mitchell, who lead all backs with 78 yards and a 7.8 yards per carry average, added a final TD with 21 seconds to make it a 35-7 final.
UMD outgained the Golden Bears offensively 492-149, including a 273-74 advantage on the ground. Walljasper led the Bulldog passing attack with 219 yards through the air, tossed three touchdowns, and added 99 yards on the ground. The redshirt QB completed 76.9% of his passes on the day, going 20-for-26 while averaging 8.4 yards per attempt. Ames led all receivers with 98 yards on six receptions to pair with his three TDs – a career high for the redshirt junior.
Jacob Mogensen paced UMD's defensive effort with one interception, while Andrew Klopp had five tackles, 1.0 TFL, and one sack in the win. Two other players recorded five tackles – Mac Strand and Jonathan Shrum. The Bulldogs limited CSP's offense and allowed just 149 total yards, and kept the Golden Bears under 100 yards on both the ground and through the air, allowing just 75 passing and 74 rushing yards. The Bulldogs defense disrupted the CSP's passing game with two interceptions and broke up two Golden Bears passes.
UMD (6-4, 5-4) will return to James S. Malosky Stadium next Saturday for its final game of the season. Senior Day will get underway with a noon kickoff.
BULLDOG NOTES: Saturday was the fourth time this season Kyle Walljasper has thrown for 200 or more yards … In fact, Walljasper is averaging 201 yards a game this season … DaShaun Ames had his third game this season with two or more touchdowns … Ames now has 11 TDs on the season, tying Armani Carmickle as the last Bulldog WR to post 11 TDs … Carmickle grabbed 11 TDs in 2021 over 12 games – Ames has 11 so far in just nine games.
