On Saturday night, DiSanto Field’s stands were filled as staff and students alike supported Case Western Reserve University’s football team in their home opener against Bethany College. The Spartans reigned victorious over the Bisons, defeating them 64-6 while also matching and making a couple program records.
The Spartans started off the night strong with a touchdown made by fourth-year wide receiver Ethan Dahlem as he made a clean 3-yard rush down the middle after the team gained 54 yards on 5 plays. After CWRU forced another three-and-out on Bethany’s following drive, the Spartans quickly doubled their advantage. fifth-year quarterback Alex Fromberg connected a 27-yard pass to unguarded second-year running back Mitchell Waite, who in turn completed a walk-in touchdown with 9:34 left in the first quarter.
During the remaining time left in the quarter, CWRU never let the Bisons make their way down the field, forcing yet another three-and-out drive on Bethany—which the Spartans followed with yet another touchdown. First-year quarterback Jake Kavcic completed a 49-yard pass to fourth-year wide receiver Noah Coyne, placing the Spartans up 21-0.
Fromberg mentioned how this touchdown was his highlight of the night.
“It was fun, because I got to be one of the first people in the end zone to celebrate with my teammates. Usually I’m pretty far back, I don’t get to celebrate. So that was fun being able to celebrate in the end zone with my teammates,” he said.
The final points scored in the quarter, placing the Spartans at 23-0, were from a safety due to a bad snap on Bethany’s punt attempt. The Spartans continued with the momentum going into the second quarter, scoring a touchdown on the first play of the quarter with Fromberg throwing to third-year wide receiver Dylan Cave. The Bisons cut their deficit to 6-30 the following possession on an 86-yard touchdown. However, the Spartans responded with three more touchdowns of their own; Fromberg connected with both Dahlem and Coyne in a 8-yard and 45-yard pass, respectively, and third-year running back Stefan Lopez made a 5-yard run.
The Spartans went into halftime up 51-6, setting the program record for most points scored in a half. They had also matched the program’s record of most marks made in a quarter (28), which the team had achieved in the second half.
CWRU added to the scoreboard twice during the third quarter, with a 10-yard fumble return for a touchdown by fourth-year linebacker Braden Frank and a field goal by first-year kicker Ryan Wald.
“The most memorable moment in the game was seeing my buddy. Braden Frank, he plays cornerback on the team, and he’s a senior who’s been on special teams for a while, but hadn’t really gotten to show what he had on the field. And he got in there towards the end of the game and had a fumble recovery for a touchdown. And he’s just a super hyper and excited dude. He loves football, so seeing him be able to score touchdown games was super cool,” Coyne said.
The final points to the scoreboard came from another field goal by Wald, solidifying the Spartans’ win over Bethany at 64-6. During the game, Fromberg completed a total of 14-of-18 passes, recording 243 yards with 4 touchdowns. He was also named the Presidents’ Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week for his contribution to the team’s win.
“I’m glad we’re able to get recognized for our successes. I mean, we’re not too worried about personal records or team records,” Fromberg commented. “Obviously, that’s really cool when it happens, and after the game, after a big one, it’s cool to read about that stuff. But I think we’re really just focused on, myself included, just week in, week out, just getting the win every week.”
Coyne recorded 3 passes totalling 101 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Dahlem led the team with 6 receptions for 74 yards and a touchdown, in addition to a rushing touchdown. First-year running back Andy Kavcic led the team with 71 rushing yards.
In a defensive play, graduate student defensive lineman Kaden Tong recorded 4 tackles and 2.5 sacks, while third-year defensive back Mason Mehl led the team with 5 tackles. Frank returned a fumble for a touchdown, and first-year wide receiver Noah Barnes notched a late interception.
Coyne also mentioned how the large lead over the Bisons allowed a lot of players to gain time off the bench.
“The best part of those big wins when you’re beating a team by a lot is that everyone gets to play. So you got to see a lot of the freshmen and sophomores get in the game and score touchdowns, and that was really cool,” he commented.
Fromberg also commented on the key factors that played into the team’s win Saturday night.
“We were really prepared for the game. And we had a mentality of no matter who’s out there, we’re gonna give it 100% and be prepared. Give it our best. And that’s why we won so big. I think it is because we were ready, and we came at it with 100% intensity,” he said.
The team has high hopes for the rest of the season with the ambition to make it to the playoffs.
“My personal goals align with the team goals, which is really just to win every week and hopefully be 10-0 at the end of the season, and be able to compete for a championship and then eventually make the playoffs,” Fromberg said.
“We’re very senior and fifth-year dominant. So you can tell that there’s that culture and attitude that this is the last year for a lot of people. And I think having that sentiment means that if this is the last time to do it, there’s no other time to do it, and everyone else is going to be kind of on board and make sure that it happens this year. So I think a lot of people are set on really making it happen this year,” Coyne said.
The Spartans are currently on their bye week and will return to action Saturday, Sept. 28, in an away game against Geneva College. The next home game on Disanto Field will be on Oct. 12 against Saint Vincent College at 7 p.m.