DULUTH — When the Bulldogs ran out of the inflatable mascot head and took the field Saturday afternoon, there was a notable absence.
Minnesota Duluth head coach Curt Wiese has historically led that charge, but he wasn’t there ahead of the game against the University of Jamestown. UMD announced earlier in the week that he would miss the game due to a personal health matter.
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That meant Chase Vogler, UMD’s associate head coach and offensive coordinator, had the reins of the program on an afternoon in which the Bulldogs (7-2) controlled every facet of the game and cruised to a 50-3 victory over Jamestown (0-9).
“Our guys played really hard for coach Wiese today,” Vogler said. “They understood his absence and that he was watching the game. I think it was really important for us to put together a good showcase for him to enjoy.”
Perhaps nobody rose to the occasion for Wiese, who is expected to return to the sideline next week, more than Riley Grossman.
The sophomore quarterback was elevated to starter a week ago amid injuries to Jacob Eggert, the original starter, and Austin Randall, the second-stringer who has also been day-to-day.
It was a sudden promotion, one that Gross...