Football: Duluth’s star rusher a challenge for UNK

KEARNEY, Neb. — In the first round of the NCAA Division II playoffs, the University of Nebraska at Kearney answered its first challenge — establishing the run — with sophomore Rustin Dring plowing through Saginaw Valley State for 188 yards.

Saturday at noon in Duluth, Minn., the Lopers (11-1) will have to do that again while meeting another challenge: stopping Minnesota-Duluth running back Isaac Odim, who is similar to Dring. The third-leading rusher in the nation and a Harlon Hill Award finalist, the junior is averaging 149 yards per game and 7.3 yards per carry. He has scored 29 of the 10-1 Bulldogs’ 61 touchdowns.

“He’s a great player, one of the best players in Division II,” Minnesota-Duluth coach Bob Nielson said.

Odim has rushed for more than 100 yards in 18 of the defending national champions’ past 19 games. He also returns kicks.

Backups Brad Foss and Brian Hanson combine for another 100-plus yards per game, and quarterback Chase Vogler is a threat to run.

“It’ll be challenge for our guys,” UNK defensive coordinator Bob Crocker said. “We’ve got to concentrate on tackling their tailback. He’s a big strong back, and we have to handle their play-action pass.”

Crocker said Odim is a lot like Dring in size, speed and skill. Odim, Crocker said, is the best running back UNK has faced since Chadron State’s Danny Woodhead.

“He’s a different type of back, but he still has some pretty good feet and runs through a lot of tackles,” Crocker said.

Execution will be a key against the Lopers, Nielson said. “That’s what team defense is: People being in the right place and executing their defense. When big runs happen, typically it’s because you had a breakdown somewhere.”

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