Football Tigers and Senior QB Michael Engle Prepare for Saturday's Season Opener

September 6, 2010

September 6, 2010, Greencastle, Ind. — "Michael Engle might feel a bit like Aaron Rodgers taking over for Brett Favre in Green Bay," begins an article in today's Terre Haute Tribune-Star. "The former all-Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference quarterback for Terre Haute South will step into the shoes of Spud Dick at DePauw this season." 

Dick, DePauw University's all -time leading passer, led the Tigers to the NCAA Division III playoffs for the first time in program history last fall, but graduated in May. Engle, a senior, will be the Tigers' QB when the 2010 season opens Saturday afternoon at Blackstock Stadium versus Rose-Hulman.

"Spud was better at some things than me," Engle says. "There are things I can do that we wouldn’t have done so much last year." The senior adds, "The offense isn’t really changing in the transition."

Craig Pearson writes, "With only three starters graduating on offense, Engle expects a seamless transition for the Tigers, who are favorites to defend their Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference championship ... The son of former South coach Jay Engle, Michael’s ability to be prepared is his biggest strength as a quarterback, he explained. The aspiring lawyer will probably be found with a laptop in front of him to study film when he has time away from schoolwork."

"Being a coach’s son gives me an understanding what it takes week in and week out and how to prepare for a game," Engle tells the newspaper. "I learned a lot about film study and understanding what the defense is doing. I pride myself on preparation, spend a lot of time not only learning the intracacies of our offense but understanding the defense and what they’re going to do. We have to put ourselves in the best situation."

The story notes, "DePauw’s offense returns preseason first-team All-America wide receiver Alex Koors in addition to 'three or four receivers with significant experience,' Engle said. 'There’s a lot of guys who’ve started that are returning, which definitely makes my job a lot easier."

You'll find the complete article, "Former South QB Engle filling big shoes at DePauw," at the Tribune-Star's Web site.

Kickoff for Saturday's game is 1 p.m., and the contest can be heard live on student radio station WGRE (91.5 FM or via this link).

For the very latest, visit the football team's official online page.

Back