#5 Indiana Wesleyan kicks off the year with a dominant win, while Taylor comes through late for the program’s 300th victory in the opening week of the 2023 season.
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#5 Indiana Wesleyan 56, Lawrence Tech 7
Lawrence Tech rusher C.J. Davidson set the young program’s all-time rushing record, with 650 career yards, but No. 5 Indiana Wesleyan was dominant in a road victory to open the year, 56-7 over the Blue Devils.
The Blue Devils (0-1) would strike first, with the game’s only score in the first quarter on a game-opening TD drive. Kaleb Garner threw his first TD as a Blue Devil, to D’Vaun Bentley for a 19-yard score and early 7-0 lead. The Wildcats (1-0) responded in the second quarter, scoring 28 points highlighted by a pair of Dederrian Williams receiving TDs and a fumble return TD from Neil Campbell.
Williams would score two more on the ground in the second half, while Wilson Wirebaugh’s pick-six gave the Wildcat defense two scores in the win.
Xander Stokes finished with 241 passing yards and 3 TDs, completing 16 of 21 passes for the Wildcats. Williams rushed for 126 yards and two scores on 16 carries.
Garner collected 90 yards and a TD through the air for Lawrence Tech, splitting time under center. Defensively, Michael White made eight tackles for the Blue Devils, while Clayton Mosher led Indiana Wesleyan with ten stops. Isaac Abeo had two sacks for IWU in the win.
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Taylor 37, St. Ambrose 34
Damon Hockett’s 24-yard TD run with just nine seconds on the clock gave Taylor the thrilling home victory over St. Ambrose, 37-34.
In a game that saw 11 lead changes and neither side hold more than a one-score lead, the Bees (0-1) would reclaim the lead at the start of the fourth quarter on a 76-yard TD pass from Tom Casey to Yemi Ward. With 3:54 left on the clock, Taylor (1-0) moved back in front on a 64-yard rushing TD from Ja Thomas.
Two plays later, Casey and Ward would re-connect for a 52-yard TD pass, giving the visitors a 34-30 advantage. The host Trojans would then drive 50 yards on their final possession, with Hockett breaking free from 24 yards out for the game-winning score.
The Trojans rushed for over 300 yards in the game, led by Thomas’ 108 yards and one TD on 12 carries. Four rushers in all found the end zone for Taylor. Casey threw for 226 yards and three TDs to lead the St. Ambrose attack, completing 7-of-11 passes, while Kaden King carried the ball 20 times for 98 yards and a TD.
Yemi Ward caught 5 passes for 216 yards and four TDs, tying the Midwest League record for receiving touchdowns.
Defensively, Rolando Sepulveda led St. Ambrose with 15 tackles. Aven Jones made 12 stops for Taylor.
