Helmer, Miska part of national championship UMD squad

• UMD Bulldogs

UMD Bulldogs

Talk about it

FLORENCE, Ala. - Ellsworth's Ben Helmer and Josh Miska are members of the 2010 NCAA Division II national football champions, the University of Minnesota-Duluth. The Bulldogs won the title game 20-17 over Delta State University of Mississippi on a last second field goal Saturday.

Helmer, the undefeated Bulldogs' sophomore starting tight end, caught his first collegiate touchdown in the title game on a 14-yard pass from sophomore quarterback Chase Vogler in the first half to put the Bulldogs up 10-7.

David Nadeu kicked a 32-yard field goal as time expired. UMD, 15-0 overall, rallied from a 14-10 deficit with a touchdown in the fourth quarter on a 12-yard run from Brad Foss and then winning field goal on UMD's final drive which was set up by an interception.

The Bulldogs' defense are made a goaline stand which forced the Statesmen, 11-4 overall, to kick a field goal to tie the game at 17-17.

This is Helmer's second national title with the Bulldogs. He was a redshirt freshman the last time UMD won the title in 2008. This will be Josh Miska's first title with the Bulldogs as he is a back up freshman quarterback.

Tags: proam, football, ellsworth