The university football team opened its season with two wins in a row, offering an exciting start as they look to turn an optimistic fall camp into sustained success.
The team opened the season with a 35-12 win over Waynesburg University before defeating Wilmington College 44-19 in their home opener.
After two wins to start the season, the team fell short in Marietta, losing 32-10.
The early 2-1 start comes after a 3-7 season in which four losses were decided by one possession. Rather than focusing on last year’s record, the team is focused on improving the details that can determine the outcome of a game.
One of the biggest differences this season is experience. The team has 25 seniors on its roster, the most the program has had since 2010, when it had 26.
Head coach Brian Foos said that experience has changed the standard the team holds itself to, particularly during practices.
“I think the biggest difference that you see from year to year, especially with these upperclassmen, is they’re not allowing us to have bad practices,” Foos said. “Because when you stack good practice after good practice after good practice, you’re going to get a better product on Saturday.”
That approach has already been translated to the field, particularly on offense.
Starting quarterback Tyler Love said a more experienced offensive line has helped improve communication.
“It’s definitely helped that we are older on the O-line,” Love said. “Being able to trust my guys in the front as we’ve done many seasons together and just relying on them to have my back has given me more confidence in the pocket, letting me look up the field.”
Additionally, Love said the offense is focused on sustaining drives rather than relying entirely on big plays.
“We’re four yards here, four yards here, and we’re just chipping away,” Love said.
Foos said improved third-down execution has helped the offense sustain drives a higher third-down conversion rate gives the offense additional opportunities to score, while allowing the defense more time to rest.
Ball security has also been an early strength. Through the first three games, the offense has not committed any turnovers.
The defense has benefited from a similar level of continuity; nearly the entire defensive unit returned, with only two starters not coming back.
Linebacker Jiovanni Rodriguez said experience has allowed the defense to enter the season with a stronger understanding of the system.
“I feel like everyone’s on the same page,” Rodriguez said. The upperclassmen leading from experience, setting the tone for the rest for the rest of the team.
“Finding that extra fight to come up with the winning points is now a standard. That starts with a more attentive program, whether that is on the field or off. From showing up to workouts on time, making sure you have the right clothes on, to holding each other accountable and raising the tempo at practice”
For Foos, however, the senior class’s importance extends beyond what happens during the current season. He said the seniors’ lasting effect will be determined by how they prepare the players who will eventually take their place.
“The bigger legacy that they’re going to have for the program is what they do with the young guys,” Foos said. “What they do in teaching them our standard and what that standard looks like.”
The emphasis on development becomes more important as younger players start to earn more responsibility throughout the season and eventually fight for a starting spot next fall.
Despite the strong start, Foos said the team discussed how to handle winning without losing the habits that created it.
“We got to this point because we worked hard and had fun,” Foos said. For Rodriguez, the goal is not simply to finish the season with a winning record. He wants the team’s progress to change how the football team is viewed.
“My goal for this year is for people to think, ‘OK, like [the] football [team] is back,’” Rodriguez said.
The team looks to bounce back as they travel to Berea to take on Baldwin Wallace on Saturday.
