Sports

Despite eighth ranking, CMU Football remains optimistic

By Ian Tanaya  |  Sep 4, 2015
The Tartans huddle on the field at the scrimmage. (credit: Staff Photographer) The Tartans huddle on the field at the scrimmage. (credit: Staff Photographer) The Tartans huddle on the field at the scrimmage. (credit: Staff Photographer) The Tartans huddle on the field at the scrimmage. (credit: Staff Photographer) Junior safety Samer Abdelmoty brings down the ball carrier. (credit: Staff Photographer) Junior safety Samer Abdelmoty brings down the ball carrier. (credit: Staff Photographer) Junior running back Mike Minjock carries the ball. (credit: Staff Photographer) Junior running back Mike Minjock carries the ball. (credit: Staff Photographer) Senior running back Evan Englert hurdles his way past traffic. (credit: Staff Photographer) Senior running back Evan Englert hurdles his way past traffic. (credit: Staff Photographer)

Last Friday, the Carnegie Mellon men’s football team held a scrimmage with the Waynesburg University Yellow Jackets. The two teams engaged in 7-on-7 drills and linemen drills before pitting their special teams, offenses, and defenses against each other in earnest.

Both teams generated plenty of excitement from the crowd in the stands. The first 7-on-7 play for the Tartans saw senior quarterback Andrew Hearon connect with senior wide receiver Max Reinertsen. They reconnected on their first drive against the full Waynesburg defense, converting a fourth-and-long situation and setting up the stage for a touchdown on the next play. The defense was able to make some good plays, too, including a few interceptions against the various Waynesburg quarterbacks.

Going into the season, the Tartans are optimistic about their chances in their second season as an affiliate member of the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC). Last year, the Tartans finished in seventh place out of eleven teams with a 4–6 record, tying the records of St. Vincent College, Westminster College, and Thiel University.

Though they are projected to finish in eighth place according to the 2015 PAC Preseason Poll, the players and coaches feel differently.

“We had a great offseason with those kids, they work extremely hard and spring ball went well,” head coach Rich Lackner said at a question and answer session in early August. “I put a lot of stock in chemistry and hopefully we will have great chemistry with this team this season.”

Senior wide receiver Chris Herrera agrees. “A lot of us took summer workouts seriously,” the civil engineering major said.

Herrera cites the returning talent on offense and defense as reason to believe the Tartans will be able to outshine their opponents in the upcoming season. He believes the chemistry the team has will allow them to withstand anything their opponents throw at them.

The Tartans will open up their season away from home against the Washington University in St. Louis Bears on Sept. 5.