DePauw Football off to strong start

After capturing the Monon Bell and advancing deep into the Division III football playoffs a season ago, DePauw University head football coach Brett Deitz entered this season with high hopes for his program.

And, despite a new quarterback and several other new faces, it has been business as usual for the Tigers, who are 2-0 after wins over Rose Hulman and Centre to open the season. Deitz is hopeful the winning ways continue Saturday afternoon, as DePauw plays its first game inside the friendly confines of Blackstock Stadium, hosting Kenyon for a 1 p.m. kickoff. 

"I really like our football team. Coming off the year we had last year, it was the team in school history, we had a lot of question marks coming in, but the guys have stepped up and really have done a nice job of picking up where we left off. We have played two good games against two good football teams, and I'm proud of the progress right now," Deitz told The Putnam County Post. 

Deitz admitted that despite the experience lost on the defensive side of the football due to graduation, he is very pleased with what he has seen from his team. In last week's win over Centre, DePauw held the Colonels to minus 34 yards rushing, registered 10 tackles for losses totalling 75 yards. It marked the second time the Tigers held an opponent to negative rushing yards. 

"Considering how much experience we lost on defense, I am very happy with our progress on defense right now. After week one, we were number one in the country in a couple defensive categories and that was great. We have some new defensive backs that are being tested, and we are figuring some things out. It is good to have some experience and guys who have been in our program. That's proven to be good for us. We will continue to get challenged in the passing game. We have been stellar in stopping the run, and get challenged on the back end, but we have to continue to make the strength our strength and stop the run. We have done that," Dietz said. 

Offensively, the Tigers have benefitted from quarterback Scott Ballentine, who was 28-of-41 for 407 yards and four touchdowns, and receiver Robby Ballentine, who caught 15 passes for a school record 244 yards and two touchdowns last week. 

"We have a lot of returners, a new quarterback and a lot of new faces on the offensive line. Offensively, we have picked up a little bit where we left off. We have plenty of stuff to work on on both sides of the football. We are getting our footing," Dietz said. 

Despite all the new faces and names, Dietz acknowledged the expectations remain the same for DePauw -- to contend for a conference title, win the Monon Bell and make another deep run in the playoffs.

"This is why these student-athletes come here, because those are the expectations. We want people who buy into a team atmosphere, and buy into winning championships. If you are a recruit who just looks at I want to play as soon as I can, this isn't the right place for you. If you want an education that is easy and you don't have to work for, you probably shouldn't come here. We want guys that want a tough environment, want to work and buy into the team and a championship mindset. We have great football players here, and when you buy into that mentality, you can really build a culture. Cultures are delicate, and players change every year, but, hopefully, if the expectations, the work ethic and dedication is the same, that means we have a good program with a great culture. You have to work every single day," Dietz admitted. 

The veteran head coach is hopeful the Greencastle and Putnam County community will turn out to Blackstock Stadium Saturday. 

"We are happy to be at home. We haven't played a day game yet this season, which is unusual, but I am happy to be home and playing at home. I think there will be a lot of hype this week on campus, and I am very excited for this weekend. It is a special time in DePauw football history. We have another good team this year, and it is a really fun team to watch. We have been away for quite a few weeks, and the community and school should be excited. It is an awesome time to be a part of and a fan of DePauw football," Dietz said.