Sam Lalonde
After another stinging Bloomington winter and a summer filled with countless days of intense heat, it is finally every die-hard fan’s favorite time of the year. As the days get shorter, and hopefully cooler, the football fanatics of the Bloomington area will start to pack away the shorts and the tank tops and dust off the Titan green hoodies. Titan football is back and ready to build on last season’s impressive campaign.
While last year was a strong season for the Titans, this pre-season has given the players reason to believe they can surpass last year’s accomplishments. With new additions as well as strong returning talent, an improvement upon last year appears to be well within reach. As stated by first-year receiver, Dennis Bresingham, this notion is alive in the locker room as well as in the surrounding Illinois Wesleyan University community. In a recent interview Bresingham said,
“I think we are going to be solid. Our strong suit is our defense with a lot of returning talent. Offensively, we should be well rounded with speed at every position. I’m excited to see how our first-year quarterback, Jack Warner does in his first season.”
Bresingham is not the only one who is excited to see the team in action. Luckily, the wait will not be long. The Titans will open their season at home against Franklin College on Saturday, Sep. 6 at 1:00 p.m. in Tucci Stadium.
After a 9-2 finish last season, the Titans are predicted to finish third in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin, although they may have a different plan. With new offensive coordinator, Christian Taylor, the Titans will be looking to compliment a ferocious defense with a potent, fast moving offense. Pre-season All-American offensive lineman, Niall Mulcahy will look to play a crucial role in protecting incoming first-year QB Jack Warner.
There is an even greater deal of electricity circulating through the air when talk about the Titan’s defensive comes to conversation. Preseason All-Americans John Worley (DL) and Tyrell Bolden (DB) will look to lead the charge alongside preseason All-American honorable mention, Connor Klein (LB), not to mention All-American punter, Matt Kussman. Opponents will have to plan all week if they hope break through this steel wall.
So, bring out the Titan green on Saturday and show the men that they have a twelfth man backing them with loud cheers and rowdy celebrations. We will see you in Tucci Stadium, as the Illinois Wesleyan men’s football team opens the season looking to prove what their hard work over the summer will bring to the field this fall.