Campbellsville University football reached a program milestone in October, earning them a No. 6 national ranking – the highest regular season spot the Tigers have ever held. The ranking represents a year of growth, grind and discipline. This season has fired up many students and faculty on campus, especially during the “Battle of Highway 55” game versus Lindsey Wilson University. That win made the CU Tigers a true contender on the national stage. The Tigers experienced their first loss of the year at Cumberlands University 35-33 on Oct. 25, which dropped their ranking to No. 11.
At the helm is quarterback Jett Engle. Engle is a junior from Marion, Indiana. He spent his freshman year of college at Tiffin University and transferred to Kentucky Chrisitan University, where he spent three semesters. Engle and his wife moved to Campbellsville in the spring after getting to know what the culture is like on campus and in the locker room.
“There’s a big winning culture here. I think there’s an expectation to win. It’s pressure but it’s good pressure,” said Engle. “My wife and I chose CU together because we feel like it’s a great community. We loved coming on campus and meeting coach Russell. He was very honest during the recruiting process, which we loved. One of the things that really opened our eyes was him praying over at Tigerville Grille before we ate. That’s a small thing, but it just shows the character of coach Russell and how that translates to the rest of the team.”
Engle said one large reason they were able to go undefeated for so long was because of the team comradery that’s been built over the last few years.
“We’re a close team and it’s one reason why I think we will bounce back from this first loss. There’s no offense, defense, special teams or any friend groups off the field,” he said. “It’s a really bought in group that brings everyone together. My hats off to the leaders who helped create and maintain this culture and I believe we owe that to them. I’ve seen teams where it’s been divided and they end up crumbling with really good players, but I think this team is too tight knit for that to happen.”
While the Tigers experienced their first loss of the season to Cumberlands University, Engle said it was a good way for them to correct their mistakes.
“It was a good way for us to learn that we can be beat,” said Engle. “We just need to get back to focusing on those small details that will make us better. Nick Saban said it best when he said his best teams had one loss and benefited from it. I believe if we’re able to bounce back in a positive way, we’ll look back on this loss as a turning point heading forward.”
Engle is also very grateful for the families and fans who come together to cheer them on at home. He said part of the reason the team succeeds is because of the CU community showing up to Finley Stadium every time they play.
“They get out and cheer us on, it’s awesome,” said Engle. “It feels amazing knowing you have the support of you whole school and to be able to feel it. When you step out onto the field it’s evident that we’re expected to win, our whole fanbase is behind us. There’s no place I’d rather be.”
In football, one of the quarterback’s best friends is who he hands the ball off to. For Engle, it’s running back Tre Bass. Bass is a graduate student from Franklin, Kentucky. Last season, Bass was named second team All-Conference. So far this season, he has been named Mid-South Conference and NAIA Offensive Player of the Week. If given the opportunity, he plans to one day play in the National Football League (NFL). While Bass said there’s not a big difference in the team from the previous season, he said the loss of the senior class from last year has motivated him to step up as a leader and motivate the people around him.
“Everyone has a role on this team,” Bass said. “If that’s you playing 50 snaps a game, then that’s your job. If it’s cheering on the guys that are playing as the third string, then that’s what you do. Just helping people realize that it takes literally every single person in every moment that can’t be wasted.”
Bass is one of the top running backs in the NAIA this season. He said his individual success is equal to the team’s.
“It’s not about me. In fact, it’s way bigger than me. It’s not even completely about the team. It’s about this university and the community that comes to the games,” he said. “Our coaches put so much time and effort into us away from their families, so there’s so much that I’m playing for. Yeah, of course the accolades are great, and I’m extremely grateful for the talent and work ethic to help my team win. But, without my offensive line and coach calling the right play, I can’t get to the in zone, or without our defense getting us the ball back, I can’t score. My touchdown feels like the team scored. Not Tre Bass scored, but the Tigers scored.”
Throughout his entire football career, Bass said his mother has been his biggest supporter. In attendance at every game, Bass said his mom is always cheering him and the team on every time the Tigers play at home.
“Growing up, my mom was working more than two jobs just to keep the lights on,” said Bass. “To this day she still has that work ethic. That’s what motivates me to work so hard is because I watched her do it. She worked three jobs, by herself, raised two kids, and still found time to get me cleats and pay for camps and all the tools to help me get better. She still supports me and comes to every game she can with my No.10 jersey on her back. That’s my mom.”
Bass said Tiger fans should expect a deep run in the post-season leading up to the national championship.
“Coming off the first loss, I think we needed it,” Bass said. “We’re going to keep working even harder, we’re gonna show up and put more effort and hours in, and I’ll make sure of it. We didn’t go 6-0 and ranked No. 6 in the country just to do it. We’re trying to win the whole thing. The fans should expect us to go to the playoffs, dominate teams, and they should expect a championship, because that’s what we expect.”
Leading the CU football team is Jake Russell who is in his third season as head coach of the Tigers. Coach Russell is from Anderson County and is an alumni of CU. He was a member of fighting Tiger football team during the 2014-15 seasons where he played quarterback and still holds the program record for 38 passing touchdowns in a season. Russell said he is blessed to be the coach of a special team that can be described as a family.
“This is a really close team,” Russell said. “You have half the team who dress out and play, but I still want the other half to feel like they’re being invested in and a part of the game. We do our ministry team once a week, guys go to church together and we support other teams by being at their home games. That’s what feels different about this team. Our first game one of our assistants came up to me and said, ‘this team is different.’ This has already been such a special team, and I hope they finish it out the right way.”
Russell said there have been plenty of players that have exceeded expectations this season.
“It’s probably a disservice to name individuals, but I will give you a guy,” said Russell. “Tre Bass is our starting running back and for the last three years he’s been a very hard worker, but this summer I really saw him take his work to the next level and he’s now one of, if not the, best in the country. He’s become a great leader and it’s possibly his best year on and off the field. Again, I hate to mention specific guys because they all have done such a phenomenal job.”
However this season ends, Russell said he wants his players to remember their time in college as student athletes before they head onto greater things.
“What I want them to remember is that this experience they’re getting to live out is life changing,” Russell said. “No win is going to change their life. But it’s the work, the discipline, sacrifices, selflessness… All these things that we’re trying to instill and teach them will be with them for the rest of their life.”
Not only does Russell want his players to recognize how hard they have worked, but he also wants CU fans and supporters who just see their performance on gameday to appreciate it, too.
The final home game of the season and senior day is this Saturday at 1:30 p.m. Senior festivities will begin at 12:30 p.m. at Finley Stadium. More than 30 seniors will be honored.
“A lot of people show up on Saturdays and only see our mistakes,” Russell said. “What they don’t see is from January all the way up to today is the sacrifices and hard work these guys put in. Not only as football players, but as students, as part-time workers, as a son, brother, boyfriend who do such a great job. And they do get the praise and benefits of being a college athlete, but I just hope people understand how much these guys sacrifice and how important it is what they’re doing. Not just for the team, but for themselves in the long run.”
