By: Jacob Walsh
September 19, 2023
The Thiel College Football team won at home against Bethany College Bison in a conference matchup this past Saturday, 22-14. This victory snapped Thiel’s 27-game losing streak at home, with their last home win coming against Waynesburg back in 2016.
Thiel began the game looking a little different with freshman quarterback Joseph Fell starting under center. In his first start with the Tomcats, Fell did not disappoint. Thiel started the game by forcing the Bison to a 3 and out. Both teams’ defenses held strong as the first quarter ended knotted at 0-0.
In the second quarter, the Bison would block a Thiel punt to set them up inside the Tomcats’ 10-yard line. Bethany took advantage of the turnover with a 2-yard rush for the first score of the game. However, the Tomcats kept their heads up and went on a long 89-yard drive immediately. Fell found receiver Chase Lawler in the endzone for the Tomcats’ first points of the day. Thiel went for two after the score and converted, taking the lead 8-7. On Bethany’s next drive, Donelle Thomas picked off the Bisons quarterback to set Thiel up in good field position. Thiel was forced to punt but got the ball back before the half and scored their second touchdown of the day. Wide Receiver Blake Joseph caught a pass in the endzone to put Thiel up 15-7 at halftime.
The third quarter kicked off with a 47-yard return by Thiel’s Andre Rodgers. This drive would lead to the Tomcats’ final tally of the game with Fell rushing in from 2 yards to go up 22-7. The defenses would once again go back and forth until Fell was striped and recovered by Bethany at Thiel’s own one-yard line. The Bison scored to make it 22-14.
The final quarter of the game was a defensive stalemate. Bethany would get far enough to attempt a field goal to cut the Tomcat lead, but Luke Faber had other ideas. Faber blocked the attempt and that would be the end of the Bison. Thiel won the game 22-14, beating the Bison for the second straight season.
Joseph Fell was 8 for 15, throwing two touchdowns and running one in himself. He also led the Tomcats in rushing yards. Fell threw one interception which led to his exit after a rough tackle on the pick. Christian Marantis would come in after Fell came out and helped the Thiel offense going 2 for 4 with 44 passing yards. Chase Lawler led for the receivers, catching three passes for 49 yards and a touchdown. On the other side of the ball, Donelle Thomas had one tackle and two interceptions. Jordan Volpe had five tackles with 2.5 being for a loss. Raymond Jackson led the defense in tackles with seven.
Thiel is now 1-2 on the year with an identical Presidents’ Athletic Conference record (1-2). Thiel’s only three wins since 2018 have all come against Bethany (2018, 2022, 2023). The Tomcats travel to Washington, Pa this weekend for a matchup against the W&J Presidents on 9/23.
