Engineers deliver Homecoming victory

This past Saturday, the Engineers secured a 24-7 victory over Hanover to win the first Homecoming football game for Rose-Hulman since 2002. Leading the Engineers was quarterback Derek Eitel, who completed 21 passes for a total of 288 yards.

Other components of the Engineer offense posted major contributions to the win. Running backs Bryan Wong and Calvin Bueltel covered 97 and 88 yards on the ground,respectively, while wide receivers Justin Meade and Nate Richter posted 88 and 50 receiving yards. Perhaps the most impressive element of the offense was freshman tight end Reed Eason who dominated the Panther’s defense throughout the game, racking up 121 receiving yards and a touchdown.

The contributions of the men on the offensive line can not be overlooked either, a line who zealously protected Eitel, allowing only two sacks for the game and often buying him more than enough time to throw long routes under little or no pressure.The Engineers defense was also a force to be reckoned with, forcing eight punts, five sacks, two turnovers on downs, and four fumbles, one of which was picked up by the Engineers. Junior Paul Spreen led the defense with eight tackles and one sack.

The game opened in the first quarter with a touchdown on the ground by Tyler Thornton, which was answered by Hanover. The game was then scoreless until the third quarter when a 68 yard drive by Rose-Hulman culminated with a field goal by Jeremy Sharp which put the Engineers in the lead. The score remained a tight 10-7 until the fourth quarter, when a touchdown run by Bueltel and a connection between Eitel and Eason for a 48 yard touchdown sealed the game for the Engineers.

The Engineers’ next game will be at Defiance College on October 6 at 1:30 p.m.