Thiel Football Team's 2005 Season Celebrated Ahead of Homecoming Game

Strategic Insights -

The Thiel football team had a remarkable season in 2005, finishing with a 10-0 regular season record and winning their opening-round NCAA Division III playoff game. The team's success was in part due to the hard work and dedication of players like Dan Hess, who played a larger-than-expected role that season. Hess, a freshman at the time, finished as the team's second-leading rusher with 635 yards and scored four touchdowns, including one in the NCAA victory over Johns Hopkins. The team's 2005 season will be celebrated during their Oct. 11 home game against Geneva.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Thiel football team had a historic season in 2005, finishing with a 10-0 regular season record and winning their opening-round NCAA Division III playoff game.
  • Dan Hess, a freshman tailback in 2005, played a significant role in the team's success, finishing as the team's second-leading rusher with 635 yards and scoring four touchdowns.
  • The team's 2005 season was marked by several exciting games, including a 50-48 triple-overtime win over Carnegie Mellon and a 28-3 win over Johns Hopkins in the playoffs.
  • Hess went on to have a successful college career, finishing as the program's sixth all-time leading rusher with 2,194 yards and setting several school records, including carries (43), yards (327), and touchdowns (5) in a game.
  • Despite the team's struggles in recent years, Dan Hess remains closely connected to the program and believes that better days are ahead under the leadership of head coach Sam Bauman.

Statistics:

  • The Thiel football team finished the 2005 season with a 10-0 regular season record.
  • Dan Hess, a freshman tailback in 2005, rushed for 635 yards and scored four touchdowns that season.
  • The team won three games in overtime that season, including a 50-48 triple-overtime win over Carnegie Mellon.
  • Dan Hess set several school records, including carries (43), yards (327), and touchdowns (5) in a game against Saint Vincent in 2007.
  • The Thiel football team lost 41 straight games between 2017 and 2022.

Sources:

  • Curti, C. (Sept 14, 2025). Trib Live: Thiel football team's 2005 season celebrated ahead of homecoming game.