By: Jason Walsh II
September 6, 2023
Thiel Football kicked off the 2023 season this past Saturday against Case Western Reserve University. Last season Thiel Finished 1-9, with their first win in five seasons. Over the offseason, the team has worked hard to improve from the previous season and continue to learn their new system. This will be Thiel’s’ second season under coach Sam Bauman who was hired to replace coach Mike Winslow who coached the team for three seasons.
Thiel’s first game against Case Western unfortunately ended in a loss. However, the 14-0 defeat showed an improvement from the 30-12 loss two seasons ago. Thiel’s offense struggled to reach the endzone but was able to work the ball down the field. The highlight of the team was the Tomcat defense which held Case Western to only two touchdowns.
To recap the first game, learn about the team’s upcoming season, and hear about the team’s preparation the Tomcat’s starting center was interviewed; senior Lucas Buchanan who’s number is seventy-seven. Lucas explained that over the offseason the team trained the hardest he’s seen in his three years with the team; “the training was intense and both physically and mentally demanding. A lot of lifting and running to condition us. I feel like it has definitely paid off from our performance throughout camp”. When asked about his expectations for the season Lucas said, “To win a lot of football games, I believe we’ll go over 500 and take a huge leap for the program”. Lucas was also asked how the coaching staff was doing going into their second season; “The structure is the biggest improvement; it’s demanding to both players and coaches. There’s been great improvement from the staff as well as both sides of the ball”. Lastly, Lucas touched on what his and the teams’ takeaway was from the first game and a tough loss; “Comparatively to last season there was great improvement on the field and the sidelines. It wasn’t the outcome we wanted but it’s a step in the right direction. Case is a tough defensive team that plays well to their opponent, we just have to keep pushing ourselves as a team”.
This coming week Thiel travels to play PAC opponent Westminster (0-1) at 1 pm. The rest of the team’s schedule follows…
September 16, home vs. Bethany College (PAC) (0-0) at 1 p.m.,
September 23, away at W&J College (PAC) (1-0) at 1 p.m.,
September 30, home vs. Waynesburg University (PAC) (0-1) at 3 p.m.,
October 7, away at Carnegie Mellon University (PAC) (1-0) at 7 p.m.,
October 14, home vs. Geneva College (PAC) (0-1) at 1 p.m.,
October 28, away at Allegheny College (PAC) (1-0) at 1 p.m.,
November 4, away at Saint Vincent College (PAC) (0-1) at 1 p.m.,
November 11, home vs. Grove City College (PAC) (1-0) at 1 p.m.
