Football Wins First Home Game in Blowout
MARION, Ind. – The hometown crowd witnessed the first ever win in Wildcat Stadium for Indiana Wesleyan University football. IWU scored early – and often – en route to an 80-6 win over Trinity Bible (N.D.). Indiana Wesleyan moves over .500 for the first time in program history with a 2-1 mark.
OVER IN THE FIRST QUARTER
Indiana Wesleyan was quick to dispel any drama on Saturday with a 42-0 lead after the first quarter. The offense scored five times and Christian Smith intercepted a pass for a pick-6 to account for the scoring. The five scoring drives in the quarter all took less than 1:33.
RUN CATS RUN
Nine Wildcats combined for 440 rushing yards and five players rushed for 60 or more yards. Gabriel Birkhimer led the team with 108 yards while Tyrell Phelps and Joshua McKenzie each found pay dirt three times. In all, five Wildcats recorded a rushing touchdown.
WHO NEEDS THIRD DOWN?
Indiana Wesleyan built a 56-6 halftime lead despite running 23 plays on offense. IWU did not have a third down play on eight possessions and averaged more than 13 yards per play in the opening half.
BIG FOOT
Kicker Ben VonGunten clubbed a 41-yard field goal in the third quarter on a kick that had plenty of distance. He added 10 extra points in the game for 13 total points.
LANGS SAYS…
“Our players were locked in and focused and willing to give effort all game. We didn’t do that last week at Anderson but today we were able to accomplish that. I am really thankful for how the kids played hard and played focused. We wanted learning, and growing, and getting better in the second half and that is what happened.”
WHAT’S UP NEXT?
The rest of the season features Mid-States Football Association (MSFA) opponents, which IWU will be a full member of next season. Lindenwood-Belleville (Ill.) comes to Indiana Wesleyan next Saturday with a 1 p.m. kickoff.