The Grinnell College football team’s victory against Mount Mercy this season marks the first time the team has won its season opener since 2011. The 16-13 win was secured with a field goal by Ryan Feldman, `29, with 16 seconds left at Rosenbloom Field.
The team followed up with a loss against Concordia University Chicago 42-7, but that did not take away from how momentous the first opening win in 15 years was.
Head Football Coach Brent Barnes, who has served in the role since December 2019, said his goal for the game against Mount Mercy was to compete. “I thought it’d be a competitive game, and it absolutely was, so in that sense it was achieved,” Barnes said. “I thought we outplayed them for most of the second half, and deserved to win the game when all was said and done.”
Barnes also highlighted the importance of key moments throughout the game and the ability of individuals to rise to the occasion. “One of the things we talk about is we’ve got to have players step up in big moments to be able to have success,” said Barnes.
Andre Lopez `30, a running back who had 162 rushing yards and a touchdown in the win, said he thought the game was a great start to the season. “It was a great change and a great step in the right direction for the football team.”
Lopez credited the whole team for the success, not just one key moment or player. “It was a team win. Defense did their thing. Offense did their thing. What helped me do what I needed to do was obviously the O-Line. Everybody on offense, the coaches the game plan. They definitely helped me get to where I was.”
Ajay Griffin `27, a defensive back who had the second most tackles on the team at four tackles, said that there were many talented team members this year. “We have a lot of talented guys, and I think looking at all the games that we played in last year that were really close and winnable, I think we see a lot of those games this year,” he said.
Griffin and Barnes said the team’s physicality contributed to their success. “In the past, we have not always been a very physical team, and I felt we, both in the scrimmage a week before and in this first home game, played a pretty physical football team and lined up. That was growth for us,” Barnes said.
“I think we matched the physicality, and kind of exceeded it, because we played really physical,” said Griffin. “I think I was really proud of that, and I think our team was kind of happy to see that physicality that we displayed.”
Griffin said that building camaraderie off the field aided in their victory. “Just get everybody used to each other, and build those relationships that’ll carry you when the game is close,” he said. “And when the game is on the line, those relationships and those bonds will carry you over the line.”
Coach Barnes noted how hard the team was also working in the classroom. “We have very smart kids who care about their academics, but we also care about football,” Barnes said. “They are going to work hard on the field, and off the field, to do the things they need to do to have success in both arenas.”
Griffin said that support from Grinnell meant a lot to the team. “We are really playing the game because we love it,” he said. “Anytime that people come out to support us, we absolutely cherish it, we love it, and I think it gets us pumped up.”
The team looks forward to carrying the momentum from this opening victory into the season. The football team’s next home game is Saturday, Sept. 26, against Beloit College at 1 p.m. on Rosenbloom Field.