Conference play for Taylor University Trojans football is just around the corner and starting off with a bang. Crosstown archrival Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU), who is 4-0 and ranked number four in the NAIA, will be coming to Turner Stadium to take on the Trojans to start their October slate.
Everyone wants to beat their biggest rival. There’s just something about sticking it to your most hated opponent that just feels better than other wins. But for head coach Aaron Mingo, his biggest rival is just another game.
“I don’t ever want an opponent to dictate our level of resolve or how hard we compete. We just go out every week and play the best football we can,” Mingo said.
Mingo further explained that the team is all about glorifying God instead of themselves. If they put so much weight into a singular game, it can end up becoming something more important than a relationship with Christ.
Taylor has been putting on a clinic this season running the football. The Trojans’ ground attack averages 194.6 rushing yards per game which is 16th best in the nation. The three biggest contributors on the ground are sophomore wide receiver Ja Thomas, sophomore quarterback Damon Hockett, and senior running back Dylan Scally.
Thomas is averaging 5.5 yards per carry on eight rushes a game which is good for best on the team. He also has the most rushing touchdowns on the team with three.
After the Trojans and their high-octane run game face IWU, they will be heading to Adrian, Michigan to take on the unranked Siena Heights University Saints (2-1). Siena Heights has victories over St. Ambrose University and Judson University by scores of 28-14 and 58-14 respectively.
Following the game versus Siena Heights, Taylor will be matched up with Madonna University (0-4) for their homecoming game. Madonna has struggled this season and hasn’t been able to put up a lot of points on the scoreboard getting outscored by their opponents 14-217.
Coming up after the Madonna game, Taylor will face another top-five opponent in No. 5 Marian University (3-0). The Knights have been nothing short of spectacular this year and are looking to ride their balanced but high-powered offense to another winning season. Marian likes to air the ball out averaging 259.7 passing yards a game which is 20th in the nation.
But regardless of whether Taylor faces an offense that prefers the air or the ground, they have the same mindset as they get ready for each game.
“We don’t prepare for tougher opponents any differently than other teams. We watch film, we practice, and then we go execute,” Mingo said.
After playing Marian, the Trojans will travel to Southfield, Mich. to take on the Lawrence Tech University Blue Devils (1-3). Lawrence Tech has had some close games this year, most notably a two-point loss to the No. 14 University of St. Francis (IL) Fighting Saints (1-2) 14-12 in a defensive showdown. Finally, to wrap up conference play, the Trojans will play the St. Francis (IL) at home.
The Trojans went 3-4 in conference play last season, which was their best conference record since 2015 when their conference record was 4-2. Mingo says consistency will be key in keeping the Trojans on track to have the same success as last year.
“Consistency on both sides of the ball is something that we need to improve on. We need to make sure that we are playing the best football possible for four quarters,” Mingo said.
The Trojans’ next game will be on Oct. 7 at 6 p.m. at Turner Stadium against No. 4 IWU
