(La Porte, IN) - A man and his grandson from LaPorte played for the same schools vying for this year’s college football national championship.

 

Bob Strieter was a star lineman on offense and defense for the University of Miami Hurricanes in the early 60’s before playing one season in the Canadian Football League.

 

Owen Strieter played two seasons at Indiana University beginning in 2017 where he was a safety and member of the special teams.

 

A dislocated shoulder and receiving just limited playing time were among the reasons he cited for not continuing on with the team to focus strictly on his studies during his final two years of eligibility.

 

Strieter said he’s not sure if he and his grandfather will watch the game together but, if not, he expects them to call and text message each other periodically during the January 19 match-up.

 

“Hopefully, we’ll get the win despite what my grandpa would say,” he said.

 

Surprisingly, perhaps, the elder Strieter believes his alma mater might not have much of a chance because of how dominant the Hoosiers have been especially with blow out post season victories over Alabama and Oregon.

 

Regardless, he’ll be rooting for the Hurricanes.

 

“I have to do that.  That’s where I got my education and chance to play professional,” he said.

 

Strieter said the Hoosiers were 5-7 each year he was on the team, a typical season for a program that has the most losses in college football history.                                                      

 

He said it’s still hard to believe the program entered the tournament with the No. 1 ranking and its quarterback, Fernando Mendoza, became the first Heisman Trophy winner in I.U. history.                                      

 

Strieter said he wonders if any other head coach has ever turned around a college football program so quickly and drastically.

 

“What Curt Cignetti has been able to do has been pretty insane,” he said.

 

Strieter is now a construction teacher and volunteer football coach at LaPorte High School.

 

The elder Strieter also became a teacher in LaPorte after his playing days were over and later was head coach of the high school football team for eight years.
 

Strieter said one of the highlights of being on the I.U. football team was intercepting a pass from teammate, Michael Penix, Jr., during a spring scrimmage game.  Penix is now the starting quarterback of the Atlanta Falcons.

 

“Pretty cool. Pretty fond memories. I enjoyed my time down there for sure,” he said.