To say that the Spartans have turned things around since last season would be an understatement. The Case Western Reserve University football squad exploded this past weekend for 34 unanswered points after trading blows with Thiel College in the first quarter to coast to a second straight blowout win.

The Spartans were back on the road after the one-week home stand against St. Vincent College and took down the hosting Thiel College Tomcats in a dominating performance.

The Spartans started the game’s scoring with a 55-yard drive on a mere eight plays after taking over on downs. CWRU quarterback second-year student Rob Cuda connected with fourth-year student receiver Dan Cronin for the 6-0 lead before the extra point made it 7-0.

The Tomcats scored on a five-yard rush into the endzone by Thiel quarterback Ryan Radke, but missed the ensuing extra point and would not be able to find the scoreboard the rest of the game.

CWRU then followed up the first quarter with a pair of touchdowns in the second quarter as sophomore Anthony Canganelli scored on the ground from the one yard line. Cuda then connected with second-year student Luke DiFrancesco for a 65-yard run as the clock wound down, putting the Spartans at 21-6 at the half.

The Spartans continued their offensive onslaught in the second half posting 20 points in the third quarter. Cuda posted 250 yards and three touchdowns in the air going 20-31 in the process, while leaving the pocket for another 91 yards and a touchdown.

The Spartans’ defense was the real star of the second half, however, as Thiel was held to a mere 19 yards of offense in the second half. Fourth-year student Dayton Snyder finished the game with six tackles, leading the entire squad with the total.

The Spartans will go up against the Bethany College Bison this weekend as they are on the road again. Cuda will again helm the offense and will look to continue the Spartans along their offensive hot streak.

The Spartans will be taking on the Bison who have one of their first President’s Athletic Conference game against Thiel with a just as impressive 51-16 margin of victory. The Bison have an extremely strong defense, which may be the strongest the team has played so far this season. Bethany ranks ninth in Division III for tackles for a loss this season.

The Spartans will have to hold back linebacker Donovan Hayden, who has 48 tackles this season and he has forced four fumbles. Hayden’s partner-in-crime, Devon McClain, has added 3.5 sacks thus far this season.

In addition the Spartans will have to hold back Lincoln Reyes, the Bethany College quarterback. Reyes has put up 800 yards, throwing five touchdowns. However he has been mistake prone this season, throwing five interceptions and it will be a weakness that the Spartans will look to exploit.

The ground attack, Jalen Holmes, has put up 395 yards and four touchdowns this season, but it doesn’t seem like he’ll be too much to handle for the Spartans, as they have excelled at containing the ground attack.

With the high-powered offense and a well running defense, the Spartans will be set to take home a third straight victory. We here at The Observer are predicting a final score of 56-28 and a victory for the Spartans. After this week, the Spartans are set to return home next weekend for their homecoming game against Waynesburg University.