Thiel Tomcats College football preview 2024

GREENVILLE, Pa . (WKBN) – Thiel saw an increase in wins by two (from 1-3), a year ago.

In his third season, coach Sam Bauman seeks to continue the upward trajectory of his Tomcat program into 2024.

“We’re optimistic about an improved and experienced offense going into fall camp,” says Bauman. “We want to show improvement on both sides of the ball and become a more consistent football team. We’re [looking to] compete week-in and week-out in a very competitive conference.”

Thiel welcomes back a total of 13 starters (nine offensively, four defensively).

Bauman points to experience as a strength for his team.

“Many returners have started 20+ games,” he mentions. “We should have a deep group of skill position players who have the ability to open the game up with Chase Lawler (Red Land) – an all-conference receiver – and DJ Logan (310 rushing yards in 2022), who’s returning to the backfield after missing [last year with an injury]. Up front, [our group] is led by Zak Dillingham (Armstrong), Christian Good (Carlisle) and Chris Slaven (Chartiers Valley). The line has shown signs of improvement in the spring and I’m excited to see that carry over.”

Luke Faber (Reynolds), Chad Morningstar (Tussey Mountain) and Jaellen Rose (Midlothian, VA) will look to lead the defensive unit that seeks to improve upon last year’s statistical output of 31 points and 311 yards allowed per contest.

“We’re looking for [each of] them to take the reins this summer and push the group to get better,” Bauman indicates. “The front [four] should be a strength for us. They’ve shown improvement in our pass rush this spring. We have improved speed as a unit which is also very exciting. We just need players to step in to replace some [of our] experienced players who graduated; especially in the backend. That’s the only way we can expect to continue to grow as a defense.”

The 2024 season opens up with a contest between Thiel and Carnegie Mellon on September 7.

Thiel Tomcats
Fast Facts
Head Coach : Sam Bauman, 3rd season
2023 Record: 3-7
Last 5 Years: 4-36 (10%)
League : Presidents’ Athletic Conference
Home Field : Alumni Stadium
B ase Offense: Spread
Base Defense : 4-3

2023 Team Stats
S coring Offense: 12.2
Scoring Defense : 31.1
Total Offense : 219.3
Total Defense : 311.2

2023 Individual Leaders
Passing: Joseph Fell – 540 yards, 47.5% (67-141), 3 TDs
Rushing: Andrew Plowden – 524 yards, 4.4 avg, 2 TDs
Receiving: Chase Lawler – 382 yards, 9.6 avg, 2 TDs
Tackles : Jared Curcio – 74
QB Sacks: Chad Morningstar – 3
Interceptions : Donelle Thomas – 4

2023 Results
Grove City 31 Tomcats 0
Tomcats 30 Saint Vincent 27
Allegheny 27 Tomcats 3
Geneva 20 Tomcats 9
Carnegie Mellon 80 Tomcats 22
Tomcats 15 Waynesburg 14
Washington & Jefferson 56 Tomcats 14
Tomcats 22 Bethany 14
Westminster 28 Tomcats 7
Case Western Reserve 14 Tomcats 0

2023 Presidents’ Athletic Conference Standings
Grove City – 10-0 (11-1)
Carnegie Mellon – 9-1 (10-1)
Washington & Jefferson – 8-2 (9-2)
Case Western Reserve – 7-3 (7-3)
Westminster – 6-4 (6-4)
Geneva – 4-6 (4-6)
Allegheny – 3-7 (3-7)
Saint Vincent – 3-7 (3-7)
Thiel – 3-7 (3-7)
Waynesburg – 2-8 (2-8)
Bethany – 0-10 (0-10)

2024 Schedule
Sept. 7 – Carnegie Mellon
Sept. 14 – Washington & Jefferson
Sept. 21 – at Geneva
Sept. 28 – Westminster (Homecoming)
Oct. 12 – Allegheny
Oct. 19 – at Case Western Reserve
Oct. 26 – at Grove City
Nov. 2 – Saint Vincent
Nov. 9 – at Waynesburg
Nov. 16 – at Bethany

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