Elmhurst University football team strives to build up program this season

Photo by – Steve Woltman

The Elmhurst University football team is using this fall season to improve their program in order to, “build a better community for, not just our team, but for Elmhurst as a whole,” according to offensive lineman Chris Pedersen.

The team has put a great deal of work into their offseason and spring season, building up players’ confidence, individual skill, teamwork, and team culture. A lot of focus has been on the incoming freshmen to expand the new talent and preserve the fresh energy the new class has. 

Head coach Jeff McDonald expressed what the team needs in order to reach its goals.

“For us, we just need to continue to focus on improving in everything we are doing,” said McDonald. “Finding a way to do more each and every day whether it is a practice, a lifting session, a meeting, in the classroom, finding a way to get better every day.”  

The team’s effort was put to the test on Sept. 3 in their first game, where they competed against the nationally ranked team University of Wisconsin-River Falls. 

Elmhurst University’s football team suffered a 68–0 loss against their opponent. Coach McDonald disclosed a struggle with ball security during the second quarter, which River Falls was able to take advantage of in order to increase their lead.

“We are constantly re-evaluating everything we do,” said McDonald. “And there were definitely a number of things from last Saturday’s game that we are looking at as we get ready for our next home game on Sept 17th vs Augustana.”

Despite the hardships the players faced in the game, the team still had a few great plays. Junior  Charlie Uczen commented on a few of his teammates’ skills they showed in Saturday’s game.

“I think the defense looked really good. I think the d[efensive] backs had a lot of really solid plays,” said Uczen. “Just today, one of the publications that does ratings for players online, we had Colton Kraus, who ended up being the highest rated d back in Division III in the country from that game, so that was really cool,” Uczen said. 

Uczen continued, “I think our running backs, Aiden Pollock, Julian Cavallo, Zach Norman, guys like that are, they’re going to be the staple of our offense as we keep going this season.”

According to the players and coaches, the team is constantly improving. McDonald shared a key moment of growth last season when the team won its first home game in five years. 

He said it really kicked off their “expect to win” mindset. 

Pedersen noticed an increase in the team’s offense and depth perception. He appreciated that the goals and improvements the team is pursuing are not only focused on the newcomers, but the older players as well. 

The Elmhurst University football program has the potential to become an impressive challenger in the CCIW conference as long as the team continues to gain and enhance its talent, skills, and teamwork.

“Our whole group together has been determined to come back and climb and we’ve been showing it through practice,” said Pedersen.  “I’m just excited to see what we do next.”