Entering his senior season of football at Pacific University Cole Thomas was ready to make an impact on the defensive side of the ball from the first snap. His physicality and playmaking ability lead him to be September’s Boxer of the Month male athlete.
In the Boxers three non-conference games, Thomas recorded 19 total tackles, an interception against Dubuque University and a key fumble recovery against Cal Lutheran University, as one of the starting defensive backs.
However, it was Thomas’ key performance against George Fox University that helped him secure the honor.
Thomas had 8 tackles against the Bruins and scored the only touchdown for the Boxers during regulation off of a 52-yard fumble recovery.
Thomas is a part of a defensive back unit that is smaller than the average group. Though his tackling performances show they want to be a physical group.
“It’s really important that we tackle well,” Thomas said. “I feel like this is one of the best tackling teams we have had and we just need to get better every week.”
Thomas knows this is a long season and that the early success does not mean the team is guaranteed to continue it.
“We need to keep working hard in practice and as long as we keep doing the little things right we can continue to play well on defense,” Thomas said.
Thomas’ impact on the Boxer defense has been tremendous when it comes to statistics, but it goes beyond the box score.
He credits his passion and energy for the consistency in his performances.
This consistency will be key as the team enters the bulk of conference play.
The Boxers are in a position to finish near the top of the conference but will need Thomas’ playmaking ability on the defensive end.
The Boxers will face Lewis and Clark College on Oct. 20, where they will look to improve upon their last game, a loss to Pacific Lutheran University 23-20.
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