Stereotypically, science and sports don’t really mix. But perhaps one of the best things about this school is how much Rose-Hulman breaks the stereotypes.
This fall, the football team has played seven games so far and has lost only one. They have won all four of their Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) games. This is the best start the program has had since 1987.
The Engineers have defeated The College of Mount Saint Joseph (MSJ) and Defiance College for the first time in school history, having lost to them in their previous six and two games, respectively. Prior to last season when Franklin stepped up as the dominant power, MSJ captured the HCAC Championship and the NCAA automatic bid to the national tournament for the last four years running.
The football team’s success can be attributed to many people. Head football coach Steve Englehart told the Rose Thorn that “Our players work very hard year round to become the best football players they can be. Football is a game that you can’t just show up and expect to be good, you have to put a lot of work into it.” Five players have stood out in the statistics and recognition they’ve earned.
Sophomore mechanical engineering major Reed Eason is a preseason All-American being an all-around receiving target. Junior chemical engineering major Calvin Bueltel is ranked 30th in the nation and first in the HCAC with his average of 115 rushing yards per game. Junior mechanical engineering major Derek Eitel is currently ranked fourth in all of Rose’s football history in passing. Senior mechanical engineering major Nate Richter made his 100th career catch last week in the 28-21 win over Defiance College. Senior mechanical engineering major and preseason All-American Paul Spreen is currently ranked 19th in the country and first in the HCAC with an average of 1.93 tackles for loss per game.
Overall, Englehart believes four things have contributed to the successful season so far “[Firstly,] we are a mentally tough team. Nothing gets us down and we can perform in the most pressure situations. [Secondly,] we are a balanced team and can win in a variety of different ways. [Thirdly,] our team has tasted success. Therefore, we know what it takes to continue down that path. [Lastly,] our motto is ‘The Most Important Day is TODAY!’ and we live it. We take one day at a time and one game at a time.”
Englehart continued to talk about how this season will help the program in general. “I think that the recent success we have had has helped in our recruiting process. Young men coming out of high school want to be a part of something special and they know that if they come here there is a great possibility that we will have success. Winning also helps retain the players that we already have on the team.”
Englehart also talked about what has been emphasized this year for the team. “The things that we focus on the most are Team and Family. We care about one another not only as football players but as individuals. We understand that it takes an entire team to be successful not just an individual. “[Our success] makes me feel very proud of our players and assistant coaches. They have put in a lot of time and effort and they deserve the success that they are having.”