GAME NOTES
IN-GAME COVERAGE: LIVE STATS / VIDEO
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. -- Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology hosts Illinois College in the 2014 football home opener on Saturday at 7 p.m. at Cook Stadium.
Both teams come into the matchup with 1-0 records after convincing victories last weekend. The Fightin' Engineers handled Kalamazoo 40-13, while Illinois College defeated Aurora 49-6 in the season's opening weekend.
Sophomore Austin Swenson and senior Spencer Balash swept the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week awards for their efforts at Kalamazoo. Swenson finished 30-41 for 384 yards and four touchdowns for one of the most prolific passing days in school history. Balash anchored the secondary with 14 tackles and two pass breakups.
Rose-Hulman gained 556 yards of total offense in the opener for one of the top 10 single-game performances in school history. Aaron Abbott (8 rec., 136 yds.) and Alec Fisher (7 rec., 81 yds.) led the receiving corps with two touchdown catches each.
Defensively, Rose-Hulman held Kalamazoo to just 17-38 through the air and leads the conference in total defense by allowing 304 yards. Junior Chris Sander added nine tackles, and sophomore Kevin Nowak grabbed an interception as part of the performance.
Illinois College handled all aspects of their season opening win over Aurora, outgaining the Spartans 620 yards to 89. Michael Bates finished 24-35 through the air for 266 yards and three touchdowns, while Bryce Heaton hauled in nine catches for 163 yards and two touchdowns. The balanced defensive effort amassed four sacks, one interception and one fumble recovery.
The game is also a "Red Out" with Rose-Hulman fans encouraged to wear red to the contest. The Student Government Association and Student Affairs Office will combine to distribute 400 red shirts to Rose-Hulman students prior to the game.
Admission to the game is $5, with Rose-Hulman students, faculty and staff admitted free with valid identification. Tickets will be available at the door.
Saturday night's game concludes the Rose-Hulman non-conference schedule for 2014. The Fightin' Engineers open defense of their 2013 conference co-championship at Hanover College on Sept. 20.
