Patrick Angle had a slow start at ONU in 2013 but is much better off in 2014. Ohio Northern athletics photo

Patrick Angle is a much different quarterback in his second season at Ohio Northern.

Not that he had a bad season last year after transferring in from Youngstown State. It’s just that this year, his comfort level as a starter is better.

“I have settled in and feel like I’m playing much better," said Angle, who was a backup for the Penguins before coming to Ada. I'm a lot more comfortable, but I also know a lot more is expected of me this year.”

Angle threw for 1,974 yards and 16 touchdowns last year as the Polar Bears won their final three games and finished 6-4.

If the come-from-behind 31-24 win over Washington U. in Week 1 was any indication, there is no question that Angle is ready to make the most of his final year.

Angle and the Polar Bears found themselves down 17-0 on the road against a team that was a 2013 NCAA playoff participant. Hope was fading but Angle helped lead a comeback. He shook off his only interception of the day and went 18-of-24 for 220 yards and a touchdown. He also showed off his mobility as he rushed for 75 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

What a difference a year makes. Angle was just 4-of-14 for 60 yards in the 2013 opener against Alfred State, a team much closer to No. 244 in the rankings. He also injured his ankle in the 55-0 win.

Veteran Polar Bears head coach Dean Paul is certainly thrilled with Angle’s progress.

“He has a much better handle on the offense,” Paul said. “He is playing with so much more confidence and he has definitely earned the respect of his teammates.”

Angle was a star at Logan High School, earning D-II Offensive Player of the Year honors as a senior. He set 15 school records and was only the second player to ever be named Southeastern Ohio Athletic League Player of the Year in back-to-back seasons.

Going to a Division I school seemed like the right move. He was a redshirt in his first year at YSU and ran the scout team offense in practice. A year later, Angle saw action in two games.

When he decided to transfer, the Ohio Athletic Conference was on his radar.

He had a brother that played at Otterbein. He also liked what he saw at ONU and felt like it was a good fit, not only from a football standpoint, but from an academic one as well. With nearly three years of school already done, Angle, a construction management major, wanted to be able to make the transfer of credits a smooth one.

And while he was moving from Division I to Division III, he didn’t expect anything to come easy.

“It’s still college football,” Angle said. “There is a lot of talent at this level, and I knew I had to work hard if I was going to be successful. I wasn’t sure how things would go, but having great teammates really helped. It felt good to get back on the field last year and we feel good about the way this year has started off.”

Paul said the transition was made easier because of Angle’s attitude and work ethic.

“He is a humble guy. He doesn’t have that attitude that some transfers have,” Paul said. “He comes in every day and does his job. He works hard and continues to grow as a player.”

Angle would love to help the Polar Bears take a big step as a program this week. ONU opens conference play on Saturday with a road showdown against Baldwin Wallace, which beat the Polar Bears 38-17 last season.

“We’re happy to be 1-0, but we aren’t satisfied,” Angle said. “We have a lot of room for improvement and have to stay focused on Baldwin Wallace this week. It’s a big game and we want to be ready for it.”

Records fall

Capital’s offensive firepower was on display in its 54-20 season-opening win against Earlham.

The Crusaders rolled up 735 yards, including 537 on the ground. Both marks set school records. The single-game rushing record (510) had been in the book since 1963 and the total offense record of 674 yards had stood since 1995.

The offensive explosion is a good sign for a Capital team that had not scored 50 in a game since 2010. The Crusaders scored 40 or more only twice last season.

Chase Longwell accounted for 362 yards. He threw for 198 and set established new career highs in touchdown passes (3), rushing yards (164), rushing touchdowns (2), total touchdowns (5) and completions (8).

Longwell, who helped lead Capital to its third consecutive win dating back to last year, played in nine games last year, including eight as the starting quarterback. He threw for 500 yards while rushing for 449.

Spears steps up

Linebacker Michael Spears played a pivotal role for Trine in its 28-14 win over Millikin on Saturday, racking up 12 tackles for the Thunder (1-1), who earned their first of the season.

Spears is off to a tremendous start to his junior season with the Thunder, having tallied 27 tackles in the first two games. Spears racked up 15 tackles in a 29-28 loss to Manchester in Week 1 and has led the Thunder in tackles in each of the first two weeks.

Spears is on pace for a career-best season after tallying 49 tackles in each of his first two seasons. He is part of a defense that is allowing 390.5 yards per game.

Turnover party

Forcing turnovers can set the tone for victory and Hiram took advantage of its opportunistic defense to down Denison 37-26 in the North Coast Athletic Conference opener for both teams.

The Terriers (2-0 overall, 1-0 NCAC) forced eight turnovers, including six on interceptions, and have already equaled their win total from last season.

Mario Lemuel, a senior defensive end out of Georgia, helped lead the way as he picked off two passes and recorded three sacks. Lemuel also forced a fumble on a night when he finished with six tackles. He has 10 tackles on the season.

Andrew Torres also got in on the turnover act as he came through with two interceptions. Matt Moore and Tevin Weaver each picked off a pass as well while Zachary Bennett and Zayd Mabin recovered fumbles.

Hiram allowed 485 yards in the win is giving up 431 per game on the year. The Terriers already have seven interceptions this season. A year ago, they finished with 11.

On the rise

Waynesburg running back Jake Forsythe only rushed for 232 yards a year ago in 10 games as a backup. But he used Saturday’s showdown against Saint Vincent as a chance to take his game to another level.

Forsythe carried the ball 33 times for 134 yards and also scored a pair of touchdowns as he helped the Yellow Jackets (2-0) hold off Saint Vincent 35-24 in a contest that did not count in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference standings.

The senior finished with a team-best five touchdowns last year after transferring in from Division II California (Pa.) where he played in three games for the Vulcans.

But this could turn out to be his year to shine. He leads the Yellow Jackets in rushing (182 yards) through two games and has already scored three touchdowns. Forsythe has also caught one pass for 9 yards for an offense that is averaging 387.5 yards per game, including 137 per game on the ground.

Poll Points

Mount Union did not play and remained at No. 3. It plays at Muskingum Saturday. ... No. 10 John Carroll hosts No. 16 Heidelberg this week in a key Ohio Athletic Conference showdown. The Blue Streaks and Student Princes are both 1-0 and the winner stays on track for a conference championship. Last season, John Carroll rolled to a 48-7 win over Heidelberg. ... Wabash, ranked 13th, plays at Denison in its NCAC opener this week. No. 18 Wittenberg hosts DePauw on Saturday to begin league play. ... No. 22 Thomas More earned its first win, rolling up 623 yards in a 45-16 win over Hanover. Jensen Gephardt threw for 327 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for a touchdown as well.

Contact Me

Feel free to get in touch with me at anytime. You can email me or follow me on Twitter @BLester1993.