POST GAME QUOTES

POST GAME NOTES

GOLDEN, Colo. - "It was a great day for Chad Friehauf," Colorado School of Mines Head Coach Bob Stitt said at today's press conference after the Orediggers advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division II Football Playoffs with a 52-33 victory over Midwestern State at Brooks Field Saturday afternoon.

Senior quarterback Chad Friehauf broke the Division II single season passing yard record with 467 yards in Saturday's 52-33 playoff win over Midwestern State. He now has thrown for 4,213 yards this season.

"Chad's a special one and we have to take advantage of him while we've got him," Stitt continued. He had a day that was unlike anybody in Division II history."

Indeed he did.

Friehauf (Brush, Colo./Brush), the 2004 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year and Harlon Hill Candidate, completed 43-of-61 passes for 467 yards and five touchdowns and also ran 19 times for 92 yards and one touchdown as he accounted for 559 of the Orediggers 622 yards of offense this afternoon.

In the process, Friehauf set a Division II single season record for most passing yards with 4,213. That broke the old record of 4,189 set by Wilkie Perez of Glenville State (W.V.) in 1997. In addition, Friehauf's 43 completions tied the NCAA Division II record for most completions in a playoff game.

"My teammates make my job easy," Friehauf said. We got the ball two times in the first quarter on a short field. The O-line was looking good and gave up just one sack and my receivers are playmakers."

The Orediggers now advance to the second round of the playoffs and will play at top-ranked Pittsburg State next Saturday. Game time will be announced on Monday.

CSM (12-0) claimed a 31-7 lead at halftime as Friehauf threw for 293 yards and four touchdowns in the first half. Two of his touchdown passes went to junior wide receiver Justin Gallas (Westminster, Colo./Northglenn) who finished with eight catches for 141 yards.

The CSM defense aided the cause as it forced two first quarter fumbles in Midwestern State territory to set up short scoring drives.

"That was huge because our defense was taking control of the game," Stitt said. Getting the turnovers was a huge uplift for them and the offense was able to capitalize.

The Indians scored the lone touchdown of the third quarter when quarterback Daniel Polk plunged in from 1-yard out with 8:28 to play to cut the deficit to 31-13.

The teams traded three touchdowns apiece in the final stanze to provide the final margin. Friehauf added a touchdown pass and 1-yard TD run in the fourth quarter.

In addition to Gallas, the Orediggers had two other 100-yard receivers. Senior Jonny Chan (Aurora, Colo./Rangeview) had 10 catches for 146 yards and a score and senior running back Craig Van Horn (Colorado Springs, Colo./Doherty) hauled in eight balls for 103 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for 54 yards and another touchdown.

Senior strong safety Daniel Leger (Arvada, Colo./Faith Christian) led the Oredigger defense with eight tackles, while junior linebacker Jared Heath (Highlands Ranch, Colo./Highlands Ranch) registered seven stops and recovered two fumbles and sophomore linebacker Danny Sprague (Wheat Ridge, Colo./Wheat Ridge) was in on seven stops and also forced a fumble.

Midwestern quarterback Daniel Polk finished 19-of-35 for 307 yards and three touchdowns, while Isaac Powdrell caught six balls for 91 yards and two touchdowns. Cornelius Cooper produced a game-best 12 tackles.

-- OREDIGGERS --