Jesse Warren ’15 is currently 2-0 in his second season starting as quarterback for the Cardinals. So far this fall, he has wowed the crowds with 27 of the team’s 36 passes for 418 yards, six touchdowns, and zero interceptions. To top it all off, he won a NESCAC Player of the Week award for his performance in Wesleyan’s opening game against Tufts on Sept. 21. Warren discussed his team’s successes and plans to keep the momentum going in an email to The Argus.

The Argus: Although the team got off to an identically quick start in 2012, is there anything notably different about the squad this year?

Jesse Warren: The amount of varsity experience this team has gained. Last year’s team had a lot of first year starters and with first year starters comes inexperience. It is hard to portray a big moment in a game. With the way last season went, we learned how to win and lose and compete late in the fourth quarter.

 

A: In what areas do you think the team fell short last year and what have you done to improve?

JW: We had trouble rising to the occasion. We played down to teams we knew we were better than. When it came to playing the good teams later on in the season we struggled to match the intensity they were playing at. With the little experience we had we didn’t know how to deal with it at times.

 

A: What adjustments have you made personally this season?

JW: Coming off knee surgery in the offseason I had to deal a significant portion to rehab. I spent most of my summer getting in physical shape to be able to compete at the high level. Along with that I am working hard to become a better student of the game. With a year under my belt I undertake more of a responsibility that I need to maintain. Studying film with Coach Siedlecki four days a week has helped with that.

 

A: You got off to a strong start by earning NESCAC Player of the Week honors during week one. How do you plan on topping that performance?

JW: The key thing I tell the team is to do your job. I don’t aim for accolades, but rather when my number is called to make a big play I understand I need to rise to the occasion. If I have a big game and win POW again I will take it in stride and keep moving forward. This is a difficult league and I can’t get caught up in past weeks’ games.

 

A: In what areas do you think the team will need to continue strengthening in order to continue this run of dominance.

JW: We just need to keep building as a unit. We have great chemistry throughout the team. When you have such a close group it makes it easier to get excited about big plays in the game. We need to play to our potential every week. Playing a full four quarters is a big deal for us. We can’t just play two quarters then have a let-down quarter.

 

A: What has most surprised you about the team’s performance so far this season?

JW: How fast our team is clicking on all cylinders. It usually takes a few weeks for teams to be clicking with the run game, pass game, special teams, and defense. It started play one and has continued throughout.

 

A: How has this week of practice been in anticipation of your matchup against Colby knowing that they beat rival Williams in week one?

JW: We have not looked past Colby. We are taking it one week at a time. Our close game last year is a reminder just how good this Colby team is. They are a rising elite team in this league and every player is focused on this tough week.

 

A: What other teams in the NESCAC have you been keeping an eye on? Who stands out to you as a team to beat?

JW: Colby was first on my list as a surprise team because I know how physical they are.  They are a big team that comes to play even when they have to travel to Middletown. As the NESCAC elites you can’t look past Williams, Amherst, and Trinity. They always have a solid team that could win the league any year.

 

A: Are there any individual players on the team who have made surprisingly big impacts this season in your eyes?

JW: We have a very consistent group of athletes. We have players who don’t care so much for stats, but rather wins. We have multiple running backs that have the ability to have big games every game. Kevin Hughes [’14] has always been my security target, but our receiver core has made amazing strides in the offseason to set themselves apart from the rest of the league. Defensively Donnie Cimino [’15] Jake Bussani [’14,] anchor us.

 

A: With two weeks done, how is this season shaping up compared to your preseason expectations?

JW: We have matched our preseason expectations so far. We could not have dreamed a better way for that night game to go. We understand that we are heading towards a tougher part of our schedule and need to take it one week at a time. If we handle our business on a weekly basis and only focus on that week we understand that we will be competing for the title in November.

 

A: What are the team’s overarching goals for the season? What are yours?

JW: Our goal is to be a better team than last year. We took the step towards a winning season and this is the year we need to grow as a unit and play like the dominant team we have the potential to be. We want to be heading to Trinity at the end of the year competing for a title and to end their home streak. It has to happen one week at a time. I just want to lead the offense in the best way I can. If I can reduce my turnovers and command the offense every play then I will have succeeded. I want to put the team in the best position to win every day.