Final Week

Saturday’s 56–14 win over Otterbein was one of those games that reminded us exactly who we are when we settle in and play our brand of football, even if it took us a little while to get rolling. We came out a bit slow, not fully clicking the way we knew we could. At halftime, we were only up by 14, and even though we were in control, it didn’t feel like we had truly taken over yet. In the locker room, the message was simple: finish strong, execute, and play the way we’ve trained to play since August.

The second half felt completely different. Everything started to flow: offense, defense, special teams. We exploded out of the gate and never looked back, putting up points and shutting Otterbein down across the board. By the time the fourth quarter hit, we were playing with confidence, energy, and the type of rhythm that has defined some of our best moments this season. Walking off that field with a 56–14 win felt like the type of complete performance we knew we were capable of.

But after the excitement of the win, the locker room shifted into a different kind of anticipation. We were all checking scores, refreshing standings, and trying to see how everything across the country was shaking out. We believed we had made a strong enough case for the playoffs. Our record, and the way we were able to finish out the season. When we finally found out that we missed the postseason by just 0.17 of a point, it hit hard. It felt unfair, honestly. As a team, we truly believed we earned the right to make the playoffs.

Still, football has a way of giving you one more chapter when you least expect it. For us seniors, this isn’t the end just yet. We’ve earned the chance to play in a bowl game this Saturday in Canton at the Hall of Fame Stadium, one of the most iconic venues in the sport. Getting to close out our careers on that field is something special, and facing an 8–2 Wabash team means we’ll need to be at our best one last time.

These past four years have given me some of the best memories of my life, and I wouldn’t trade them for anything. This is the last one, and we plan on taking in every moment on Saturday.

As always, Go Bears

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