Hodag History - 2003
This was "the year." The expectations were extremely high after the great finish of 2002 and the loss of only 4 players. There was a leadership transition to Bryan Paradise and Ryan Carrington, but there was no loss of fight in this year's deeper and more balanced team. The Hodags were determined from day one to return to the championship game. After a few early season losses to other contenders for the National crown the Hodags used a second Big Ten Championship to turn their season around. The Hodags started another streak, which came to a demoralizing halt in Regional finals against Carleton, but the Hodags would defeat Iowa for second place and once again advance to the National tournament. The Hodags got back to their winning ways quickly by winning their pool and cruising through quarterfinals. After a hard fought game against Colorado in the semifinals the Hodags would seize the second chance in finals to soundly defeat Oregon 15-8. The season ended with the raising of the first National Championship trophy in Hodag history.