The Pioneers dominated Lake Forest College 41-20 last Saturday, improving their overall record to 3-1 and their conference record to 2-1. The team took an early 21-0 lead at halftime and never looked back.
“We had more talent than [Lake Forest] did,” said Head Coach Jeff Pederson. “Just by doing our job, we put them away.”
The Pioneers threw for 478 yards, the most passing yards compiled by the team since 1994. Quarterback Mike Bogard ’12 played nearly perfectly this weekend, completing 26 of his 37 passes for 394 yards. Bogard threw for four touchdowns and was awarded the Midwest Conference Offensive Performer of the week.
“The offensive line gave me all the time in world to throw and the receivers stepped up and made some phenomenal catches,” Bogard said. “Our running backs picked up the blitz and tackles did a great job containing defensive ends.”
Wide receivers Robert Seer ’12 and Logan Granera ’13 were the quarterback’s favorite targets this weekend. Seer caught nine passes for 117 yards and Granera caught eight catches for 175 yards. The receivers scored two touchdowns each.
“We have several receivers who can make plays anytime in the game,” Bogard said. “I have confidence in every receiver to make a play. Any receiver could step up and have a game like [Seer and Granera] did.”
Second-string quarterback Mike McCabe ’13 completed eight of his ten passes for 84 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, Marquis Bradley ’11 led the team with 11 tackles, two sacks and an interception, earning him a spot on the D3Football.com team of the week.
Colton Feller ’14 added nine tackles.
Already having won more games than last season, the players are excited to be in their present situation but are remaining humble at the same time.
“We enjoy our wins on Saturday, but on Sunday, we’re thinking about the next game and we’re doing things to prepare ourselves for the next Saturday’s game,” Seer said. “Our goal each week is to be 1-0.”
The team agrees that Pederson’s attitude and energy along with his knowledge of the game and the traditions of Grinnell have motivated the team to keep games in perspective and play more competitively.
“We have an almost completely new coaching staff and therefore a new scheme and mentality on both sides of the ball,” Granera said. “We also have coaches specializing in certain areas and not one coach trying to do it all.”
Cruising through the first four games of the season, the Pioneers have gained the confidence needed to propel them through the rest of the season.
“Everyone has a belief that we can win the conference and that we can achieve our goals no matter what they are,” Bogard said. “And if we fail or lose a game, we know we can come back in the next game like we did this week.”
Despite such enthusiasm, players are not worried about a possible meltdown in future games.
“The leaders of this team are making examples to not be satisfied,” Bradley said. “We want to go beyond people’s expectations. The record we have now is only just a beginning of what it is at the end of the season.”
The Pioneers will host Beloit College at noon this Saturday on the Rosenbloom Field. The game will start one hour earlier than the usual game time.
“I expect a close game,” Pederson said. “[Beloit] is very talented and big up front.”
“We all know that every game from here on out could go either way,” Seer said. “If we execute and don’t beat ourselves, we have every intention on winning each game. Beloit is no exception.”
Attendants should bring canned food to this Saturday’s game for the MICA food pantry.
