Not ready to hang it up
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With three games left in his career, not even a broken wrist could keep him there on Saturday.
In the closing seconds of a 63-28 loss to UW-Whitewater two weeks ago, Droessler threw a 28-yard halfback pass to narrow the large deficit. It wasn’t until almost a week later he found out he had completed that pass and rushed for 45 yards with a broken wrist.
Droessler, a senior captain, leads the team with five rushing touchdowns but that’s secondary to how he leads the team by example. “He is truly one of my favorite players,” coach Mike Emendorfer said.
Initial X-rays on Monday were negative but Droessler knew his wrist didn’t feel right. A specialist suggested an MRI exam on Thursday and that came back with the news — he had broken his wrist against UW-Whitewater.
Knowing he would have some sort of protective gear on his arm regardless of the MRI exam results, Droessler asked Emendorfer on Tuesday if there was any way he could better help the team.
“I was not going to let the young man finish his career on the sidelines,” Emendorfer said. “If we asked him to play left tackle, he would.”
“I practiced ‘D’ because I just couldn’t catch the ball,” Droessler said about his clubbed right hand.
He took snaps with the defense all week but wasn’t fitted for a cast until Friday, giving him no time to practice with the heavier, more cumbersome protective gear.
Knowing UW-River Falls runs nearly 100% of the time, Droessler didn’t need to learn much in the way of pass coverage. It was the first time he played linebacker since high school. He backed up the starters in the first half but when starting linebacker Matt Eastlink separated his shoulder just before half, Droessler was forced to play every defensive down the second half.
 Damian Droessler (before breaking his wrist) wasn't going to let his career end on the sidelines. |
On the sidelines, Emendorfer turned to Droessler and their eye contact spoke volumes.
“Can you carry it?” Emendorfer asked.
“Yes, coach,” Droessler replied.
He took the handoff and plunged over the pile holding the ball firmly in his left hand but switching to his right in mid flight just to be sure. This cut the lead to 28-14 and the Pioneers would get one score closer but eventually lose 28-21.
“I just wanted to help them any way I could,” Droessler said.
Next week, the Pioneers will honor their seniors in their final home game and it will be stories like Droessler’s performance on Saturday that will be remembered most.
Johnnie on the spot
Last year at this time, the defending national champion Johnnies picked up their third and playoff-eliminating loss to the St. Olaf Oles in a wet and muddy game in Northfield.
This year, the scenario wasn’t exactly the same. In fact, it wasn’t even close. It took just over one quarter for it to get out of hand quick. (D3football.com photo gallery)
After missing a field goal and falling behind 3-0 on a St. Olaf field goal, the Johnnies went to work. They scored on their next eight possessions to take a 56-3 lead just eight seconds into the fourth quarter.
They packed a whole game worth of stats into just the second quarter scoring 35 points and racking up 307 yards of total offense in five minutes, 19 seconds.
Sophomore quarterback Alex Kofoed led the way with 375 yards passing and six touchdowns — one rushing — with no interceptions.
At 9-0, the Johnnies look poised for another run at the playoffs after missing out altogether last season.
UW-Whitewater: Broken record day, broken record day …
Both quarterback Justin Jacobs and wide receiver Jim Leszczynski claimed individual records in the Warhawks football record book on Saturday.
Jacobs tied a school record with five touchdown passes in the game also accomplished by current head coach Bob Berezowitz in 1966 and Ed Nowell in 1973.
Leszczynski caught five balls for 104 yards and two touchdowns, including the 21st of his career to set a Warhawk record for career touchdown receptions. The previous record of 20 touchdown receptions was held by Anthony Talton (1989-91).
Receiver Derek Stanley, who had a monster afternoon with 138 yards receiving and three touchdowns will have to try again next week as his three touchdowns were one short of tying the UW-Whitewater record for touchdown receptions in a game.
Sam I am
Luther defensive back Sam McDonald got offensive on Saturday. The senior returned a blocked PAT in the third quarter to give Luther an 8-6 lead. Less than three minutes later, he retuned a blocked punt 30 yards for a score to regain the lead 15-12. On the day he also had five tackles, including one for loss and a pass breakup.
0-2 but 1-1
UW-River Falls likes to run the football as their 599 yards in the past two games will attest. However, they have accumulated zero passing yards on four passing attempts with two interceptions in those same two games. Surprisingly, the Falcons have gone 1-1 as they beat UW-Platteville 28-21 on Saturday.
Notes, scribbles, jots and dots …
->Linfield All-American Casey Allen caught his 50th career touchdown, and became Linfield’s career receptions leader with his 177th catch.
->After trailing 3-0 to St. Olaf, St. John’s scored on eight straight possessions in winning 63-9.
->The Simpson Storm defense held the Buena Vista to just 8 net yards of rushing on 37 attempts and made six sacks
->Augsburg wide receiver Ricky Schreier only caught two passes on Saturday but they both went for scores accounting for the Auggies only points in a 48-14 loss.
->UW-La Crosse has now lost three straight conference games for the first time since 1969.
->Neil Suckow tied a Coe record by catching four touchdown passes (15, 19, 24, 37) in their 56-21 victory.
->In the past three games, Macalester has rushed the ball 107 times for 5 yards.
Around the MIAC
St. John’s crushed St. Olaf 63-9 behind 375 yards and six touchdowns (one rushing, five passing) from quarterback Alex Kofoed. … Concordia dumped Augsburg 48-14 piling up 576 yards of total offense. … Bethel shut out Carleton 41-0 as seven different Royals scored. … St. Thomas dropped Gustavus 35-14 behind 316 yards and three touchdowns from quarterback David Sauers. … Hamline shutout Macalester 54-0 to retain the “Old Paint Bucket.”
Around the IIAC
Central dropped Dubuque 45-28 behind two special teams touchdowns. … Coe trounced Cornell 56-21 behind five touchdowns (four receiving, 1 rushing) from Neil Suckow. … Luther held off Loras 22-19 despite being outgained in first downs and total offense. … Simpson outlasted Buena Vista 31-23 despite 173 yards and a touchdown from Beaver wide receiver Jesse Schmidt.
Around the WIAC
UW-Whitewater beat up UW Oshkosh 36-7 behind 138 yards and three touchdowns from receiver Derek Stanley. … UW-Stout dropped UW-La Crosse 24-6 behind 195 yards and three touchdowns from running back Andy Reese. … UW-Eau Claire defeated UW-Stevens Point 17-3 behind 137 yards and a touchdown from running back Joe Gast. … UW-River Falls nipped UW-Platteville 28-21 despite accumulating zero passing yards for the second straight game.
Around the NWC
Linfield defeated Menlo 38-7 behind 97 yards and two touchdowns from receiver Brad McKechnie. … Willamette outlasted Pacific Lutheran 34-27 behind 130 yards and three touchdowns from Quentin Brock. … Puget Sound dropped Colorado College 38-7.
Around the SCIAC
Occidental beat Pomona Pitzer 41-34 behind 321 yards of total offense and six touchdowns (two rushing four passing). … Cal Lutheran defeated Redlands 34-22 behind 298 yards and three touchdowns (two passing, one rushing) from quarterback Danny Jones. … Claremont-Mudd-Scripps held off Whittier 27-24 for their first SCIAC victory. … La Verne dropped Chapman 23-13 behind 107 yards and a touchdown from wide receiver Roger Logan
Games to Watch
No. 22 Central at Wartburg, Waverly, Iowa, 1 p.m.: The clog at the top of the IIAC will dissolve somewhat after the Dutch and Knights do battle on Saturday. Both teams are 5-1 in conference (along with Coe) and looking to pull ahead for the inside track on the IIAC crown. The Wartburg seniors haven’t lost to Central in their careers as the Dutch haven’t won since 2000. Look for this to be a low scoring affair as neither team is very flashy but both know how to win the close ones. Wartburg won last year 14-10.
No. 2 UW-Whitewater at UW-Stout, Menomonie, Wis., 1 p.m.: UW-Stout, fresh off beating UW-La Crosse, will look to hang loss No. 1 on UW-Whitewater on Senior Day. UW-Whitewater has breezed through their schedule to 8-0 and few teams have managed to stay close. UW-Stout, at 6-2, is hoping it can carry its momentum from the Eagles win into Saturday’s game. UW-Whitewater won 46-17 in 2004.
Reminder
One guy covering five conferences means I could always use your help on story ideas. If you have feedback on a story, have a human interest story idea or want to email me for any other reason, I can be reached at adam.johnson@d3football.com.