Last season, NCC football solidified its spot among the Division III football powerhouses. It did so by securing its second national championship in program history in just three seasons. The reputation the Cardinals have built for themselves makes anything less than a Stagg Bowl appearance a letdown of a season.
The team didn’t let the loss in the 2021 Stagg Bowl get in their way. They bounced back in 2022 and defeated the Mount Union Purple Raiders 28-21 on Dec. 16, 2022 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, MD. The Cardinals held the Purple Raiders scoreless through three quarters while building a 21-0 lead behind two Ethan Greenfield, ‘23, touchdown runs.
Building a unique identity
Cardinal Head Coach Brad Spencer, ‘04, had as good of a debut season as anyone could have asked for. In his first season at the helm, he led the Cardinals to a perfect 14-0 season with a Stagg Bowl victory. This was Spencer’s first season as head coach. However, he served on the coaching staff beginning in 2004. He then became the offensive coordinator in 2015.
Even with Spencer stepping up and leading the Cardinals to a bounce-back season, the team will have to move forward without players like All-American Greenfield. Greenfield led all of Division III football in rushing yards (1,997) and rushing touchdowns (26) while claiming the Gagliardi Trophy as Division III’s most outstanding player.
With such a major piece of the football program departed, Spencer doesn’t want to have identical teams. In a recent interview with WONC Sports on The Cardinal Podcast, Spencer emphasized the importance of this season’s team having its own identity.
“I’m not interested in the ‘22 team being the same as the ‘23 team outside of getting the same result,” said Spencer.
Next man up
A big part of his philosophy as head coach is to not worry about the guys that left, but to embrace the players who remain. They need to grow to fulfill their full potential while filling the openings left by previous players. Having a multitude of men ready to make an impact in games separates this program from others in Division III.
Spencer also stressed the importance of his players understanding that they’re constantly being evaluated by the coaching staff. They may never know when their chance to shine will come.
“It’s a long season,” said Spencer. “Make the opportunities count, and don’t count the opportunities. You never know when that door is going to open. You have to be ready to go through it and take advantage of it.”
It is a long season, and the Cardinals will look to find impact players to step up and make their mark on the field.
Picking up where they left off
The Cardinals kicked off the 2023 season at the top of D3football.com’s preseason poll. For a team as successful as the Cardinals, it remains crucial to keep these accolades from playing a role in changing their team mentality. Quarterback Luke Lehnen, ‘24, sees the ranking as a great honor for the team. He also recognizes, however, that they should not be taken for granted.
“The #1 ranking to start this year is something that we are proud of, and it can definitely have an effect on our team’s mentality,” said Lehnen. “Something we try to make sure of is that we don’t get complacent throughout the season because of that #1 ranking. We make sure that we are still attacking every week with full intensity, and that we take it one week at a time and focus on what’s happening now and not something in the future.”
The team followed this mentality as they picked up right where they left off last season. They opened up the 2023 campaign on the road against NAIA non-conference opponent, Roosevelt University. They easily rolled to a 41-7 victory. The offense came to play in this game, as Lehnen threw for 157 yards and five scores while the rushing attack, led by Joe Sacco, ‘25, outgained the Lakers in yards 257-57.
After the bye
Following the game against Roosevelt, the Cardinals had a bye week ahead of their home opener against Carthage. They demolished the Firebirds 70-0.
Lehnen continued to be efficient, going 10-12 on passing attempts with 263 passing yards and five total scores. Receivers Deangelo Hardy, ‘24, and Joey Lombardi, ‘24, both surpassed 100 receiving yards in the contest. They had three touchdowns combined. Sacco also cleared 100 yards on the ground and was good for another score. The defense as a whole remained stout. Carthage’s 102 yards of offense was the fifth-fewest allowed in program history.
The team continued its domination within the CCIW by traveling to Elmhurst College and steamrolling the Bluejays, 59-6. Sacco led the way for the Cardinals with his 80 yards rushing and three scores. Heading the way on defense, Ethan Groark, ‘26, recorded an interception, while Payton Allen, ‘27, registered two sacks on the day.
On the horizon
The Cardinals can get to a fourth-straight Stagg Bowl appearance if their strong play continues. Lehnen believes coming into every game with the same determination is imperative.
“It is really important to keep the same intensity throughout the season, because we need to be prepared for every game,” said Lehnen. “We cannot become complacent, as the moment we think we are too good to work hard or that we’re just going to show up and win is the moment we slip up. Being ready for every team that we face, and being locked in during practice and the game, is vital to our success this season.”
There are certainly no complaints about opening the season with a 3-0 record, while outscoring opponents 170-13 and outgaining them 1,501-420 in yardage. The team will look to continue rolling in CCIW play. They next visit Wheaton College for a battle with the tenth-ranked Thunder on Oct. 30 in the latest edition of The Battle For The Little Brass Bell.
