The Lawrence football team started off their 2001 season with an exciting last second victory over the Macalester College Scots. With 56 seconds remaining in the game, quarterback RJ Rosenthal completed a 5-yard touchdown pass to tight end Chris McGinley, putting the Vikings ahead 13-10. This victory was the first time that Lawrence has won a season opener since 1992.Head Coach Dave Brown has high hopes for his team this season, despite the fact that the Vikings were picked to finish last in the Midwest Conference.
“We have a good nucleus of upperclassmen back. I look at this year as a growing year for our team,” says Coach Brown. “Our team goals are very simple. Play hard, play to the best of our ability and win the next game.”
Team captain Radliffe also believes that the Vikings have a great deal of potential this season, despite their unusually small roster.
“We have a shot to be a very good team. We’re inexperienced and don’t have a lot of depth, but we’ll win if we can just start playing like we can,” he says.
In addition to many key returning players, several freshmen have made substantial contributions over the past few games. Defensive back Jason Holinbeck was named Midwest Conference Defensive Player of the Week for his stellar 4 tackle, 2 interception performance against Macalester.
The Vikings, who finished last season at 2-8, currently have a record of 1-2, with losses to Knox and defending conference champion St. Norbert’s.
This Saturday the Vikings will take on the Beloit College Buccaneers at 1:30 at the Banta Bowl. The game should be very exciting as Lawrence narrowly lost to the Bucks last season, 27-26.