“Iron” Garth Heikkinen Starts His 48th Game with the UMD Football Team

Nobody in the history of the UMD Football team in 80 years has done what Garth Heikkinen has done. Ever.

The Duluth kid might also be one of the last of the original Duluth Central players still in action in college football.

Garth started his 48th straight game for UMD last Saturday vs Minnesota State University-Moorhead and in the process set the record that he had shared for a week with Ted Schlafke, a former UMD quarterback.

UMD won the game 45-14 to up their record to 5-1 and 5-1 as well in the NSIC conference.

Following the history making game, Garth said he was proud of the accomplishment, "Yeah it's a big accomplishment somthing I'm proud of.  I pride myself on staying healthy and playing every game that I can."

Garth added, "From week to week, there are a lot of banged up things that you have to deal with as a player.  I have been fourtante to stay healthy enough and avoid any major injuries."

He is one of the five senior co-captains on the team this year and several preseason publications named him as a preseason-All-American.  He prefers the post-season awards because they usually mean that the team had a very good season.

His Head Coach also agrees with his durability, Bob Nielson, "He has been a consistant performer for us, going all the way back to his redshirt season.  The fact that he has not only started those games, and played at a high level at all of the games that he has had and is a good leader for our program."

Garth goes for consecutive start #49 this Saturday as the Bulldogs play Minot State for the very first time in the Bulldogs 80th season of football.  The Bulldogs are ranked 9th this week in the latest Division Two poll.

Nielson says that Garth also contributes in other ways, "He is also a leader in the community.  We just hope that, that number continues to grow well into the fifties over the rest of the season."

UMD comes back home for their homecoming game on October 20th vs Bemidji State at Malosky Stadium in Duluth.  Last year UMD beat Bemidji State 26-23 on the road.

Garth is also the short-snapper for the Bulldogs.  He has won the last two Offensive Lineman of the Year awards for UMD.  His family has a long connection to the school.  His grandfather, the late  Wally Heikkinen was a three-time UMD hockey team captain during the early 1950's.

The senior is also a criminology major at UMD.  They list him on the roster as 6-4, 315 pounds and said that his main goals are team oreintated, like winning the conference title and another NCAA title, but it starts with a game at a time.

He was redshirted in 2008 and was named the UMD Offensive Scout Team Player of Year award.

Next time you head to Malosky Stadium, check on #74 on the offensive line.  Chances are pretty good that he will be in the starting line-up for the nationally ranked Bulldogs!!!!!!