Eagle defense has tough task in Minnesota-Duluth

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BY KEN HAMBLETON / Lincoln Journal Star

When the games are over at Chadron State, Austin Bailey and his teammates on defense head off to the locker room.

Interviews at Chadron State are for the offense. Danny Woodhead the last three years commanded on-field press conferences with dozens of national media outlets, such as the New York Times, Sports Illustrated and ESPN.

This year, quarterback Joe McLain was the source the media sought after Chadron State ran up another perfect conference record and reached the playoffs for the second year in a row.

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“I think I’d overlook our defense, too,” said Chadron State senior linebacker Austin Bailey. “Danny Woodhead, well, he deserved all that attention. And this year, Joe and the receivers have been amazing.

“On defense, we do what we do.”

The Eagle defense is one of the best in the country. No. 7 in total defense. No. 4 in rush defense. No. 10 in scoring defense. No. 5 in quarterback sacks. 

The defense will face its toughest test of the season Saturday in a noon game at unbeaten Minnesota-Duluth in the second round of the playoffs. Chadron State pulled away to beat Wayne State last week in the first round of the NCAA Division II playoffs.

The Eagles lost McLain, the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year and a Harlon Hill finalist, to a broken collarbone in the victory over Wayne. Sophomore Garrett Treffer will take his place.

“We all feel bad for Joe because he’s been the starter around here since he was a freshman and we all know the work and heart he put into playing here,” said Bailey. “All of us who have been around here for the 4-6 season, then the three great seasons with conference titles and the playoffs, know what we all put in. He’ll be with us, probably screaming his lungs out.

“And we all have confidence in Garrett and Joe’s willingness to work with him.”

The Chadron State defense is expected to carry a lot of the load against the UMD Bulldogs, who boast standout quarterback Ted Schlafke, two strong running backs and a massive offensive line.

“We’ll do like we always do — bring pressure from three-man fronts, four-man fronts, five-man, and more,” Bailey said. “We try to bring a lot of heat on every play, and I think that’s part of the fun of playing here all these years.

“I’m like the other guys, I want to keep playing football for a little while longer.”

Reach Ken Hambleton at 473-7313 or khambleton@journalstar.com.