The men of the William Jewell College football team have taken a tough blow in the beginning of their season; the WJC football team is currently 0-4.
The Cards began their season competing against two non-conference teams. Their first game took place in Des Moines, Iowa against Drake University, a NCAA Division I team. Then the team returned home to compete against Colorado School of Mines, who are now nationally ranked No. 11 according to the NCAA Division II poll. The men lost both games, 30-44 and 7-42, respectively.
They then began their Great Lakes Valley Conference play as they took on the Pumas of Saint Joseph’s College (Ind.) and the Bearcats of McKendree University, in picking up two more losses.
Last year, the team lost to Colorado School of Mines, Saint Joseph’s College and McKendree University. They did not face Drake University in the 2014 season. At this point last season, the team was 1-3.
Despite their current struggles, Head Coach Shawn Weigel still holds the team to the same standards and has maintained the same goals.
“Our goal is to continually improve, and we have to continue to build spectacular team chemistry,” said Weigel.
The team faced big changes at the start of the season; most importantly, the program announced a new head coach. The changes in staff have impacted how certain aspects of the program are run.
“Under the new coaching staff the football team has been given more individual ownership over the team so more player leadership is expected,” said Robert Hurd, junior defensive lineman.
Eight seniors lead this year’s team, so some of the leadership falls on underclassmen as well.
According to Hurd, the team has everything they need for success.
“We have performed well in separate aspects of the game, it is just a matter of putting all the pieces together and functioning as one unit while improving in consistency so that we are able to operate at our top potential for an entire game,” said Hurd.
Weigel also sees consistency in Hurd and the rest of the defensive players.
“I am excited about the consistent play of our defense and especially the defensive line,” said Weigel.
Looking forward, Weigel will opt not to alter the practice schedule to adjust to the results being shown on the field.
“We have a regular in season schedule that we follow, and we won’t waiver in how we prepare,” said Weigel.
The Cards’ next game will be the homecoming game Saturday Oct. 3 against Missouri S&T at Greene Stadium.
You can find out more and watch/listen to their games live by going here.