Emotionally, Beaver Dam was at a crossroads after last week's Little Ten opener against Wisconsin Lutheran.

Would the Golden Beavers let down after a tough, emotional loss or be ignited to play better football?

The answer was an emphatic one.

Devin Kellenberger scored five touchdowns for the second time in three weeks while the defense forced four turnovers as BD blasted West Bend West, 35-0.

"We just stepped it up tonight," BD senior linebacker Craig Rossow said. "I know against Wisco, we let up a little in the second and fourth quarters and we let go of the game.

"I said if we could put everything together — offense and defense — that we could be dangerous."

BD (2-2, 1-1 LTC) wasted little time in taking charge as Kellenberger took the team's second offensive play from scrimmage and raced untouched for a 42-yard touchdown.

"That's a base play in our offense," said BD coach Tim White of the touchdown. "It sets up so many things in our offense."

Like a passing game, for example.

Unlike its first three games, BD's offense featured more balance. Quarterback Mitch Berg had a solid passing night, completing seven of 13 passes for 63 yards.

More importantly, two of those completions were 13-yard slants to 6-foot-4 Dan Docter on fourth down and long situations to keep drives alive.

"It came together for Mitch and he's getting comfortable with the offense and the reads that are there," White said. "He threw a couple of slants to Docter and Propst and that was nice to see."

That allowed Kellenberger (193 yards) and Mitch Aplin (56 yards) to operate behind the offensive line, anchored by right tackle Hank Jacobs and right guard Matt Haase.

"Going behind Hank and Matt on the right side opening up holes to run in, that's where Devin was able to break open for some big runs," White said.

While the offense gained some much-needed confidence, it was the defense that turned the game's complexion around.

In a span of four minutes early in the second quarter, the Golden Beavers forced three fumbles deep in Spartan territory. Two of those eventually led to Kellenberger touchdowns and a 21-0 halftime advantage.

BD held West (2-2, 1-1) to 136 yards in total offense.

"With the defensive line getting in there, it forced (West quarterback Dan Mueller) to focus on those guys and he started to throw wild pitches," Rossow said. "It started from the inside-out. That's how our defense works. Every man did their job."

White credited linebackers Rossow and Alec Beilfuss for shutting down a Spartan offense that produced nearly 600 yards of offense a week earlier against Watertown.

"They really did in terms of handling the option," White said of the duo. "West got outside of us a little early but they really put a lot of pressure on with their blitzing."

Looking to make a statement, BD opened the third quarter with a 13-play, 75-yard drive that ended with a Kellenberger score from 12 yards out.

Kellenberger's final touchdown was Reggie Bush-esque.

With the ball at BD's 24, Kellenberger took the handoff and ran untouched to the Spartan 45. When three West players tried to box him in near the sidelines, he stopped for a split-second and cut back to the middle of the field for a 76 yard score.  

"Devo's simply amazing," Rossow said.

White couldn't help but smile with his team's overall effort.

"The big question was whether we could come back and play with the same emotion as we did against Wisco and we did," White said. "I think for the first time in a long time, we put all three components together — offense, defense and special teams."

BD now heads to West Bend East and looks to get above .500 in LTC play.

"It is big for the conference," Rossow said. "I hope this game opened some eyes and earned some respect."

BEAVER DAM 35, WEST BEND WEST 0

West Bend West  0    0  0  0  -    0

Beaver Dam        7  14  7  7  -  35

BD - Kellenberger 42 run (Propst kick), 1st 9:23

BD - Kellenberger 1 run (Propst kick), 2nd 6:41

BD - Kellenberger 8 run (Propst kick), 2nd 5:44

BD - Kellenberger 12 run (Propst kick), 3rd 4:33

BD - Kellenberger 76 run (Propst kick), 4th 9:36

    WBW    BD

First downs    6    8

Total Net Yards    136    309

Rushes-yards    34-83    33-246

Passing    53    63

Comp-Att-Int    5-14-1    7-13-1

Penalties-Yards    12-77    9-80

Fumbles-Lost    4-3    1-0

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS: RUSHING- WBW, Markham 7-45. BD, Kellenberger 18-193. PASSING - WBW, Mueller 5-14-1-53. BD, Berg 7-13-1-63. RECEIVING - WBW, Wiedmeyer 2-18. BD, Docter 2-26.