Stevenson Football 'Trying to Find the Identity' Heading into Home Opener

When coach Ed Hottle and his football team take the field at Mustang Stadium for the first time Saturday evening, the coach knows he will see thousands of Stevenson students, faculty, staff and fans in the stands.

“They’re rocking and rolling and ready to go,” Hottle said of students he’s seen at the university’s Owings Mills campus.

Hottle knows what to expect of students in the bleachers. He’s trying to learn what to expect from his students on the field.

“We’re still trying to find the identity here,” Hottle said, admitting he doesn’t know if Stevenson will be a team that has to win shootouts, or if it will be a team that can keep games close and grind with the running game.         

Last week, neither strategy worked. The Mustangs struggled running the ball and had numerous dropped passes in a 49-21 loss. At halftime, Shenandoah led 42-7.

The Stevenson defense seemed to improve as the game wore on, as the Mustangs allowed just seven points against what Hottle said were Shenandoah’s starters in the second half.

But offensively, the team’s troubles start with the offensive line, which is still trying to gel, Hottle said.

Running behind five freshman linemen, backs averaged just 1.5 yards per carry last week. Quarterback C.J. Hopson was sacked six times.

“We’ve got to get five guys on the same page,” Hottle said. “Most college programs wouldn’t dream about starting a freshman offensive lineman.”

Without upperclassmen to plug into the lineup, Hottle must rely on the freshmen to master the team’s zone blocking scheme.

“They’re still learning to play the game,” he said. “They’re pretty good right now. It comes with experience.”

Christopher Newport University offers the Mustangs a chance to gain one more game of experience. The Captains (1-0) won their home opener over Waynesburg University 12-7 last weekend, grinding out 231 rushing yards on 46 carries in the process.

Hottle doesn’t know yet if his team can match Christopher Newport on the ground. The coach knows only one thing about his young team, just one game into its existence.

“We are not good enough to play from behind,” he said.

Christopher Newport University (1-0) at Stevenson University (0-1)

at Mustang Stadium, Saturday, September 10, 7:30 p.m.
100 Campus Circle
Owings Mills, MD 21117