The DePauw University football team works to
improve their skills and continue winning at practice.
CHRISTA SCHROEDEL / THE DEPAUW
At this point last season, DePauw football hadn’t won a game yet. This season, however, the Tigers are a completely different team.
“I think there is a clear attitudinal change from last year,” junior defensive back Adam Folta said. “There’s a sense of confidence this year that I have never seen in DePauw football, and it is really exciting to be a part of it.”
The Tigers enter Saturday’s game against three-loss Oberlin with a 3-1 record and a two game win streak.
“I think we’re getting better each week, which is really the most important thing,” DePauw head coach Bill Lynch said. “Overall, we’re pleased with where we are, but we know that we have to keep getting better if we’re going to have the type of season we hope to have.”
Last year, Oberlin was DePauw’s first win of the season, in which the Tigers blew out the Yeoman by a score of 45-11. Nevertheless, the Tigers won't take Saturday’s matchup lightly.
“We always respect every team we play and that view does not change going into the game against Oberlin on Saturday,” sophomore kicker and punter Marco Adams said. “The fact that we beat them last year isn’t related to this year.”
It’s fair to say that Oberlin, just like DePauw, is a different team. With a new head coach in Jay Anderson, the Yeoman have shown immense progress in the development of their overall play.
“Oberlin is a team that reminds me of DePauw football a couple years back,” Folta said. “They were a team trying to find their identity. This year… they looked much improved on film… and most certainly won’t be a cake walk.”
Saturday’s game against Oberlin will prove to be a test for the Tigers, as they look to win on the road, something they haven’t done yet this year. The team’s only opportunity came during the second game of the season at Wittenberg, which proved to be a frustrating loss.
“Obviously, we would like to have that Wittenberg game back and be 4-0,” sophomore quarterback Matt Hunt said. “Playing at home (in regards to Oberlin) is always an advantage, so we are going to have to counter that energy and do what we do.”
“If you’re going to have a really good season, you have to be able to go on the road and win,” Lynch said. “That’s one of the big challenges this week... to go on the road to a place that no one in our programs played at.”
Having only been in the NCAC for three years, the Tigers have played Oberlin only once, when the Yeomen came to Blackstock Stadium.
Anderson looks forward to hosting the Tigers.
“They’re a good football team,” Anderson said. “Coach Lynch has done a great job with those guys.”
Last year’s game against DePauw means very little to Anderson, considering he’s currently in his first year with Oberlin’s program. He, like the rest of his team, looks to put up a fight against the Tigers.
“We have to go into Saturday’s game as healthy as possible and win,” Anderson said.
For the Tigers, a win on the road will be a major roadblock to surpass, as they have three more away games this season.
But if DePauw continues to maintain their caliber of play, being away from home shouldn’t be a major factor in deciding this weekend’s outcome.
“If each players does their job, the outcome should be satisfactory for our team,” Adams said.
Set for a 1 p.m. start at Savage Stadium on Oberlin’s campus, Saturday’s conference game will be one to watch, as the Tigers have reached the half-way mark in their season.