University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs Impressive in Season Opener

One of the great things about "small program" college football is the fact that opening week games can be just as important as some games down the stretch.

While the other divisions are certainly catching on to this trend (evidenced by this year's FBS opening week tilt between Boise State and Virginia Tech), it has always been a staple of Division II.

The opening barrage of games in D-II this year featured a titanic matchup of two top five teams: No. 4 Minnesota-Duluth and No. 5 Central Washington.

UMD, the 2008 Division II National Champion, was knocked off last season by eventual runners-up Grand Valley State. The opening game of 2010 for the Bulldogs showed that the playoff loss last year wouldn't prevent them from returning to championship form in 2010.

After trailing 3-0 in the first quarter, UMD rattled off 28 unanswered points (including 21 in the second quarter alone), forcing the crown in Ellensburg, Washington into a stunned silence en route to a 35-10 UMD victory in CWU's first-ever game on live television.

UMD sophomore quarterback Chase Volger completed none-of-18 for 183 yards and one touchdown while adding 69 yards and a score on the ground in the Bulldogs' win.

The loss for CWU snapped a 17-game regular-season win streak. Additionally, it was the largest defeat for Wildcats since 2007. CWU also gave up more points in this game that in any game in 2009.

Other Top 25 scores from Week 1:

(9) Carson-Newman 21—Winona State 24

(10) Washburn 34—Colorado School of Mines 29

(12) West Alabama 37—Shorter (GA) [NAIA] 7

(13) Nebraska-Kearney 17—Wayne State (NE) 24 (OT)

Games of Note for Week 2:

(14) Texas A&M-Kingsville @ (1) Northwest Missouri State

(8) West Texas A&M @ (2) Grand Valley State (MI)*

(5) California (PA) @ (11) Saginaw Valley State (MI)

(6) Abilene Christian (TX) @ (9) Washburn (KS)

*This game will be nationally televised live on CBS College Sports on September 2 at 8:00 pm EDT as CBS College Sports' "Division II Game of the Week."