Aaron Abbott had a big day in support of his new quarterback. Rose-Hulman athletics photo

Rose-Hulman coach Jeff Sokol said he was not concerned about his starting sophomore quarterback Austin Swenson when the Fightin' Engineers fumbled on their opening series and Kalamazoo Hornets covered deep inside their own territory.

Swenson admitted being "a little nervous" but that was all when Kalamazoo turned that turnover into six points and had a touchdown lead with less than two minutes gone into his first start at quarterback last week on the road.

But three series and two Rose-Hulman touchdowns later, Swenson had seemed to have found a groove – and the Fightin' Engineers a quarterback – as the defending Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference co-champions cruised to a 40-13 victory over Kalamazoo in their opener.

"After a few series I knew we would be fine," said Swenson, who threw his way into the Rose-Hulman record books with the fourth highest total in school history, passing for 384 yards. "I was a nervous wreck for a series or two but once I got into a groove, I think I started to play really well after that. The fumble was just a bad exchange. I didn't worry about that because I knew we had 55 minutes left to play. I knew we would come back and play better."

Swenson completed 30 of 40 passes with one interception and his four touchdown passes was third best in school history. He ran for another score. Aaron Abbott caught eight of his passes for 136 yards.

The sophomore had to beat out plenty of people get the starting nod for Rose-Hulman, Sokol said. First, there was senior Brian Soller, who was the Fightin' Engineers’ leading rusher in Saturday's game. Then there was junior Colton Motz and four freshmen – including current No. 2 Alec Thompson –  who entered camp as well.

"We really did have a wide open quarterback battle," Sokol said. "He had to beat out a lot of guys for that position. … We've always had a lot of confidence in Austin ever since we've recruited him. Until you see him go out and do it like he did on Saturday, though, you don't ever really know. He just played the way we always thought he could."

Everyone else thought quarterback was a big question mark for Rose-Hulman going into this season as well. Despite tying for the league championship last season, HCAC coached picked the Fightin' Engineers tied for fourth in the conference in the conference this season. That brought a terse response from Sokol.

"Let's just say their opinion of where our football program is at and my opinion of where it is at are two very different things," Sokol said.

Swenson, Sokol and Rose-Hulman will get the change some minds on Saturday when Illinois College roll into town for the Fightin' Engineers' home opener. The Blueboys are one of the favorites in the Midwest Conference and return all-conference starter Michael Bates at quarterback. Illinois College, which made the Division III playoffs in 2011 beat Aurora 49-6 last 6 and are 25-6 (.806) over the past three seasons.

"Illinois College is an outstanding opponent," Sokol said. "It's our first home game and our students are excited about it and we're excited. It's going to be a tough challenge for us, absolutely."

But Swenson and Sokol said they also have their eye on taking that extra step of not only defending their HCAC crown but advancing to the Division III playoffs. Franklin, who they shared the title with last year, beat them handily during the regular season 64-14. In fact, Franklin's offense has averaged 56.2 points per game against Rose-Hulman in four straight wins from 2010 through last season.

"Our goal every year is to win the conference championship to represent the HCAC in the national playoffs," Sokol said. "To do that, we have to slay the beast and beat Franklin. To be perfectly honest, we haven't been close lately, but that's our goal and that's what we intend to do."

Sokol said to do that he will need a total team effort. He said he was particularly proud of his defensive play. For example, he credited that unit with a key turning point in the game. Swenson was intercepted by Kalamazoo's Sean Bauer midway through the second quarter and returned the ball to the Engineers’ 42.

The next play, defensive back Kevin Nowak snagged a pass from Kalamazoo quarterback Aaron McGuire to get the ball right back for the Rose-Hulman at the 15. Swenson guided the team on an 85-yard drive for a touchdown, to give the Engineers a 19-6 lead and Rose-Hulman never looked back.

"Now that's the stuff that gets you excited as a coach," Sokol said. "Something happened and the other side of the ball picked you right back up. That's what we need to do."

For Swenson's part, he said he's not daunted about an encore performance. In fact, he said while not specifically dwelling on his big opening day numbers, he added that he is not even close to playing his best football game at Rose-Hulman.

"There are some reads I've got to fix," Swenson said modestly. "I've got to work on my footwork as well. There's just a lot I have to improve on – throwing balls better on some plays. If I work on doing the little things and I'll be okay."

And that could be another one for the record books.

Franklin College community mourning Nick Schultz

Former Franklin football co-captain and offensive guard Nick Schultz, a member of the Grizzlies HCAC championship teams in 2010, 2011 and 2012, was killed in the line of duty while serving as a police officer with the Merrillville Police Department in Indiana.

According to the Chicago Tribune, Schultz suffered a gunshot wound to the head Friday, Sept. 5 while responding to a disturbance when officers came under gunfire from man inside of a condominium where he had previously been evicted. The suspect, Michael Hrnciar, 33, later committed suicide, officials told the Chicago Tribune.

Schultz was a mainstay on the Grizzlies offensive line and was selected a fourth-team D3football.com All-American in 2012.

Mike Leonard tells his players and Franklin fans who made the trip to Illinois Wesleyan of the sad news.
Photos by Ralph Greenslade 

"It doesn't surprise me that Nick was on the front lines with the Merrillville Police Department," said Franklin coach Mike Leonard in a statement. "When he was given the order to be the first one in the door, that does not surprise me at all. He was a guard. He was a protector on the football field. I think he was a guard and a protector of the people in Merrillville. We are all proud to have known Nick Schultz and will carry his memory with us."

Franklin College president James Moseley called Schultz a leader and sends condolences to his family.

"The Franklin College community sends prayers of comfort to Nick’s family, friends and colleagues during this very difficult time," Moseley said in a statement from the university. "Many of our upperclassmen, faculty, staff and alumni have fond memories of Nick as a student, athlete and friend during his four years at the college. He was, and continues to be, highly respected for his caring nature and unwavering leadership."

Midwest Game of the Week

No. 6 North Central at St. Norbert, 2 p.m.: After getting a debut win against CCIW's Carthage 25-13 last weekend, St. Norbert and new coach Steve Opgenorth return home to De Pere, Wis,. as the Knights take on the Cardinals, who were a late fourth quarter touchdown to advancing to the Stagg Bowl last year. It will be the season opener for North Central and the Cardinals are heavily favored again to be one of the nation's top teams, but the Knights are hoping this contest will be a good measuring stick for them to see how their program stacks up against one of the nation's best.