D3football Daily Dose

Every matchup between Linfield and Pacific Lutheran has its own distinct flavor. Our offensive game plan has varied year to year, depending on our strengths and weeknesses.

My first two years featured a dominating run game with two All-American tight ends in Luke Bucheit and Marcus Ward opening holes for the triple threat running back core of Marty Williams, David Russel and Thomas Ford. In 2003 and 2004 we took to the air by going four wide and picking our spots to run inside. But regardless of game plans, schemes, personnel or year, you can count on the game being intense. You can’t ignore the 50+ years of competition between the two teams. Lute week practices are always a little more intense than usual and game days have a little extra buzz around them.

The 2005 chapter stayed true to these themes and they came out firing. The first half of the game they were relentless. Their offense controlled the ball, limiting us to only four possessions and we led by only 8 at the half. But as we always do, the defense made adjustments at half and the offense opened things up in the second half to eventually coast to the win.

At the end of the season, we may look back and see this game as a catalyst, particularly for the offensive line. Watching film, we saw an undersized defensive line that we felt we could push around a bit. We were able to put quite a few guys on the ground running the ball and in pass protection. We took it upon ourselves to physically dominate the game and the attitude carried over into the Whitworth match up. Although the Pirates were a bigger team than the Lutes, we knew we could control their front 7 as well. We were able to run the ball inside and out, and by the 4th quarter I believe they were worn down.

It only took another hour or so to wear us down which normally wouldn’t be too bad but we still had another 6 and half to go on the trip back home. Our trip out to Spokane started with bus loading friday morning at 8. We made it to Kennewick, Washington by 1 where we had walk through practices at a local high school. We were graced with the presence of Thomas Ford who is living in town while playing for the Tri-Cities arena team. Former quarterback Blake Kluse is coaching at the high school and was able to pay us a visit as well. After the traditional road trip buffet for dinner, we set off on the last two hours to Spokane. We finished off the night with step-its in the hotel parking lot before calling it a night.

The morning started with breakfast across the street and special teams meetings to follow. We loaded the bus for the final 15 minutes to the stadium and arrive 2 and half hours before game time. The trip home was much more direct, stopping only once at a gas station to fill up, stretch and get some drinks. Total time in transit: 18 hours.

This week against Southern Oregon doesn’t get any easier. We bus out Saturday morning and are on the road until 3:30 for the 6 o’clock game. We head straight home afterwards, usually pulling in by 1 in the morning.

But this trip could very well be one that will go down in history. If won, Linfield will have reached an unprecedented milestone; 50 consecutive winning seasons. It should be a huge game with hundreds of fans making the trip. But by next week it will have been just another game; 1 more step on our journey for another national championship.

The day the 2005 CCIW schedule came out I grabbed a marker and circled several games that I couldn’t wait to suit up for. October 8th was most definitely one of those dates because that meant we were heading up to Kenosha, Wisconsin to take on the Carthage Redman. Last year we beat them 35-0 at our place, but essentially that meant absolutely nothing considering they were the 2004 CCIW co-champions and made a stellar playoff run. They had accomplished something that this senior class at Augustana has never experienced, and we were well aware of that heading into week 6.

This past Friday I received a call from a good friend of mine that plays football at the University of North Texas. He recently transferred from Miami-Ohio where he played as well, but things were not going as he planned so he eventually found his way onto the North Texas campus. Anyways, he asked how we matched up against Carthage and he asked how our hotel was. Hotel? I told him I was sleeping at home in Rock Island and we were leaving early Saturday morning for our four hour bus ride to Kenosha. Here is a kid who has been involved with two different Division I-A programs so the thought of leaving on a Friday for a game is rare, let alone a game day. There was a moment of silence followed by an eruption of laughter. He was in disbelief as he is accustomed to leaving on a Thursday for a Saturday game. I just laughed and replied, “Frank, that’s Division III football my friend”.

This Saturday’s game met most expectations as it was a hard fought battle between two hardnosed teams on a cold night in Wisconsin. The Augustana offense versus the Carthage defense was the main draw as the stands were full and fans piled onto a hill on- looking the stadium providing a great football atmosphere under the lights.

The first quarter ended in a 0-0 score with solid play by both defenses, but we cracked the scoreboard midway through the second quarter on a Matt Roe 17 yard touchdown pass to tight end Tom McIntire. McIntire’s grab coupled with a with 4th quarter goal line stand(capped by a 7 yard sack by linebacker Joe Youngbauer) were crucial to our victory. While the Carthage defense held our offense in check, the defense pitched a shut out and carried our squad with the leadership of Tom Anthony who rightfully earned CCIW player of the week honors. This squad has adapted a team attitude and it really showed as contributions from all over pulled us together for a victory.

Homecoming week is ahead and we take on the Titans of Illinois Wesleyan(1-4) here in Rock Island. It is essential that we have great preparation for the next five days as we strive to continually improve from week to week. We are looking forward to another test this Saturday as the Augie-Wesleyan game has traditionally been a great game with plenty of emotion.

After reading JJ McDowell’s piece (Insider, Oct. 4) I got to thinking about football at a young age and how I share a lot of the same thoughts and feelings that he does. Football has led me to some of my best friendships in life, and some of the greatest memories that I have had. As I said in my previous post, I am now engaged and with all of the planning underway it has come to my attention that everyone on my side of the wedding party are friends that I grew up with, a couple of them are guys that I met for the first time playing football. Including myself four of us played Pop-Warner together for the Putnam Redskins.

I think every young kid playing Pop-Warner dreams that they will one day become a Heisman trophy winner and go on to play in super bowls. I remember being at that age and how fun it was to dream that one day I would play in the N.F.L.

When I started playing football at age eight I remember nothing being more important than winning. Although that feeling has stayed with me, I do understand that sometimes you don’t win them all. I mention this because my nephew Shawn Jr. is in his first year of tackle football playing for the same team that my brother Shawn and I played for. He is at that age when kids cry after losses, and walk around telling everyone that they will be a professional football player when they get older. He just recently told me that if I don’t want to be a cop that I can drive his limo for him when he makes the N.F.L. (how nice of him) Last week he called me right before my game to let me know that he scored his first touchdown.

We are approaching the half way point of our season and for the first time in school history we sit undefeated at 4-0. This past week we got a huge divisional win against Bridgewater State College who came into the game ranked one spot ahead of us at #2 in the New England D III football poll. With the win on Saturday we moved up to #2 — the school’s highest ranking.

A steady effort by the offense and a great game from the defense was crucial in stopping Bridgewater’s high powered offense. Dee Whitehead had a big day for the defense coming up with a fumble return for a TD, and also a pick late in the game that sealed the win. The game had a little extra hype as a couple of Bridgewater’s players were very vocal in the papers in the week leading up to the game. The win put us atop the division with Maine Maritime who we will square off with in two weeks.

This week we are back on the road as we travel to Beverly, Mass., for a showdown with Endicott College. We are preparing as best we can right now trying to deal with some injuries as I’m sure every college team is by now. A concern for us as always when we go on the road is whether or not we will make it there. The last time we traveled one of our buses broke down and caught on fire. As long as nothing happens that prevents us from getting to the game on Saturday it should be a great game between two very good teams.

My earliest memories of football all trace back to backyard football with my friends from back home in Crystal Lake, IL. No matter the weather we were out there playing everyday right after school, and if you couldn’t make it, you better have had a pretty good excuse or else the next day of school was a living nightmare. No one came to watch us and there were certainly no camera crews around, but the passion we experienced together for those two hours exceeded the fulfillment any newspaper clipping could have temporarily provided.

This grueling game has taught me some lifelong lessons and it has introduced me to some lifelong friends. The game of football was a key factor in my path towards Augustana College and it has allowed me to be acquainted with the ‘backyard’ atmosphere that division III football brings. I don’t play in front of tens and thousands of people every Saturday, you won’t find me in the 2005 edition of NCAA Football for Playstation 2, nor did I get a full scholarship, but that is fine with me because I am playing the game I love with friends and coaches I care about.

That said, my teammates and I took a good initial step on the opening day of CCIW play as the Vikings of North Park bussed through 150 miles of corn to take us on in Rock Island. North Park got my adrenaline flowing as they stepped onto our field with a little swagger being 3-0 for the first time in quite a while. They approached the game with a different emotion than previous North Park teams and because of that alone, I think they will pick up a conference victory this year. However, last Saturday we jumped out to a 19-0 lead by the start of the second quarter, and again, our defense and ground attack rode with the momentum. The defense was lead by Tom Anthony and his three interceptions as Aaron Kuzniar led all Augie ball carriers with 146 yards on 15 carries. As the final seconds ticked away the scoreboard read 50-6 in our favor, but walking away from this game, we are completely aware that there are many things we need to improve upon in the following weeks to become a better football team.

Holding that thought, we travel to Kenosha, WI in week 6 to face the defending conference champions and the number 16 team in the nation, Carthage College. Returning 10 of 11 starters on defense from that conference championship team a year ago, our offense is up for the steepest challenge yet this year which should make for quite a game. As we strive to improve week to week we know that we must have a strong and productive string of practices leading up to an emotional game this Saturday at 6:00 pm under the lights. There won’t be tens and thousands of people in Kenosha on Saturday night, but you can surely bet that the intensity between the lines will match any other big game in the nation on any other football field … or backyard.

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.

This past weekend was another big win for us. The win moved us to 3-0 and set up a very big divisional game with rival Bridgewater State. The game was one that I personally would like to forget as I had the worst day of my career. Three missed field goals that almost cost us the game, had it not been for a great effort by the defense. We ended up wining the game on a 1-yard touchdown run in the third overtime.

The defense was very good all day; two picks in the end zone by John Hirko and Dee Whitehead ended two scoring chances, and once again they were led by NEFC defensive player of the week Frank Famularo. The defense pitched a shutout for 60-plus minutes.

Saturday was the first time that I have ever played an overtime game and it didn’t end the way I had envisioned it to. As a kicker I have always in the back of my mind wished we could play an overtime game, so that I could win the game with a kick. That opportunity was there on Saturday and I didn’t get the job done like I had wanted to.

I am still getting treatment for a quad injury. I feel like it is getting better but it’s not there yet. I would like to be back to 100% within the next week, so that I can get back into a routine and start helping the team a little more than I am right now.

This week is very important to us, because the winner will have a game advantage in the Bogan Division. Bridgewater is a very good team with a lot of veterans, and has been playing very well this year.

A concern this week is getting everyone healthy, because it is going to take a good effort from everyone this week to win. The good thing is that they have to travel to us this week. We are still playing on a local high school field however due to delayed construction on our new facility.

The internship is going well; I am starting to do a little more. Last week I was out with some detectives and made my first arrest.

This past Saturday was another good win for our program. It kept us on track for what we want to do. We played a good team in Western New England College, and they came in fired up, looking to get a little revenge for some previous meetings between the two schools. Three years ago it took a 60 yard touchdown pass with 2 minutes left to beat them, and then a year later I kicked a 52 yard field goal as time expired to beat them. Saturday was a well played game on both sides, but in the end our line just played a little harder and the running backs got the job done.

Saturday was also the first time in my 4 years that I attempted a pass, and it turned out to be a 19 yard touchdown; the first since the high school days and the first touchdown pass of my college career. It was definitely fun to get out there and feel like a quarterback again…even if it was just for 1 play.

This week for the first time we are going on the road. We get to wake up early and board a bus, to travel across the state and face a very good divisional opponent in Westfield State. Before we won the division last year, Westfield was the three time defending divisional champs, and their turf is always tough to get a win on.

It has been a tough last two weeks for me. I strained my quad and I have been trying to get as healthy as I can for the run through the divisional games. We have a good training staff so they are doing everything they can to make sure I stay on the field.

Other than that the internship is going well and I am learning a lot. I go out every day with the detectives to see what they do and some of the stuff they have to deal with. I also am in charge of entering all domestic violence cases into the computer.

It’s always fun to go on the road for a game. You get to hop on a bus for a couple of hours and often the funniest times in a season happen on a bus or in a hotel. But the comforts and routine of a home game can never be replaced. Our day starts 5 hours before kickoff with an optional chapel service from our chaplan H.D. We have 45 minutes for breakfast which is usually fifteen of eating and thirty of watching the early college game. While most of the team is reviewing special teams notes, a handful of offensive linemen hang out in the computer lab, often trying to see who can find the most ridiculous picture or story online. That has been a tradition for the last couple years and probably will continue for a long time.

The whole team then meets for five or ten minutes in a large lecture hall to revisit keys for the week before the offense and defense meet separately. Both sides clarify any questions or changes made throughout the week. After this we’re on our own for usually ninety minutes until we have position meetings on the field. Most guys like to throw a ball around, kick field goals, or field and kick punts to loosen up physically and mentally. By the time meetings are over, the juices get going and you know its game day.

Home games are also great because you’ll often see a handful of guys you used to play with who show up two hours before kickoff. Its an opportunity to revisit old memories and catch up on new developments. You get to see your loyal and crazy fans like Jenna Brister dressed up in claw slippers, red tights, a purple cape and face paint. Home games are an opportunity for them to plan their entire day around the game, starting with red and purple cat paw pancakes for breakfast and finishing with a celebratory dinner at Ruby Tuesday’s.

For the first time since I’ve been here, the game of the week to watch isn’t the one on Saturday. It’s tonight where the alumni team whose roster reads like an all-american ballot will take on our JV team. This could quite possibly be the game of the year, as some will put on a Linfield pads and jersey for the first time in nearly 20 years. Guys who never thought they would play another game will get what most former college athletes only dream of: one more game.

The Wildcats were fired up for our first game against Western Oregon over the weekend. You can only practice against your own team for so long before you start to go crazy. Especially going against our defense which seems to run every blitz known to football and a few others that aren’t. So finally getting to step onto the field against a different color jersey was a great relief, made all the sweeter by the margin of victory. WOU answered on their first drive to knot things up at 7, mostly riding their monster tight end. Our defense made their necessary adjusments and from then on, it was all ‘cats. The offense scored on all but 2 of our possessions; punting once and turning the ball over on downs at the end of the game.

The defense came up big with 5 turnovers, two inside the 3 yard line while WOU was threatening. The first was a pic by DE Brandon Tom at the 1 and the second a fumble recovery by DE Jeff Denney at the 3. And the reward for building a large lead is the opportunity to watch younger guys play. Many were able to play almost all of the 4th quarter and moved the ball pretty well.

This week we have Wisconsin Stevens Point which should prove a much more formidable challenge. Last year they played us tough the whole way, leading for 3 quarters. We started working hard from the start of the week, including our typical monday recovery day so we’ll be in top form come saturday.

The team has been presented with an awesome opportunity for next spring. We have been contacted to possibly play in Vienna Austria after the school year as part of their professional league’s preseason. It would be a 9 day trip, 5 spent travelling to different cities in Austria. Around 80 guys expressed serious interest and we’ll begin fund raising soon.

Speaking of fundraising, many different groups around the country have been collecting and donating money for the gulf states and Linfield is no exception. We asked all the guys to donate whatever they felt appropriate which resulted in approximately $550. Not bad for an impromptu effort. Other groups on campus are doing their own events including an on-campus concert Wednesday night.

It is often in times of great hardship and tragedy that people’s true characters are revealed. Many people are great people when everything is going right. It is when life gets hard that you find out who is truly strong. Which is another reason why I believe football and athletics in general to be extremely valuable. You learn how to handle challenges and adversity. Everyone will face hardships in life, but it is how they respond that will determine their success.

Saturday marked a big day for Fitchburg football. For the six of us players that came in four years ago with the new coaching staff, Saturday was the first time that we won our opener. Saturday was also revenge for two losses last year.

In all my years of playing football I have never seen a player dominate a football game the way our senior linebacker Frank Famularo did on Saturday. Frank has been a leader from the first day he arrived at Fitchburg, and has been a captain for three seasons. Since Aug. 19, when we came in to camp Frank has been stressing one thing, to take care of business against Curry.

“Take care of business,” is exactly what Frank did on Saturday — 15 tackles (13 solo) and a pick for a touchdown is a great day for any player, but more importantly Frank was our leader. 85 players and coaches went to battle on Saturday afternoon. Frank by far stood out as the heart and soul of our team.

There was something, however that did not go well. We had three kicks blocked — two field goals and an extra point. It was very aggravating and we need to work hard this week to improve on that part of the game. Special teams are very important to our success and we need to take advantage when we can get the points.

Today is September 11, 2005, 4 years after the tragedy of 9/11/01, so I feel that today is a good day to talk a little about the important things outside of football. Fitchburg football doesn’t employ any full-time coaches. We have a collection of hard working guys that know the game and want to teach the game they love. Our staff consists of a nurse, a recreation director, two teachers, two correction officers, a traveling coach, a cop, and a firefighter, all of which make very large contributions to society.

Our head coach is a firefighter and his hard work and dedication along with that of the rest of the coaching staff is something that us players appreciate very much. Coach loves football and he makes sure that we all know by the time and effort he puts into making sure that we are successful, but I don’t think he would change his profession for anything. I have been able to get close to coach Haverty and when he speaks of being a firefighter you can hear the proudness in his voice. I have often heard him tell people how his father and his grandfather were both firefighter and that it is very important to him.

It is days like today September 11, when we need to appreciate what others do on a daily basis. Thank you to everyone out there who either puts there own lives in jeopardy, or helps to make someone else’s life better.