SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – Indiana Wesleyan University football beat Lawrence Tech (Mich.) 38-24 on Saturday in a game between two first year programs. The game is the first of two this season and many more as the two schools become full Mid-States Football Association members in 2019.

BALANCED ATTACK

Indiana Wesleyan accumulated 402 yards of total offense with 204 yards in the air and 198 on the ground. Zack Blair threw for 204 yards on 11-of-22 attempts with a pair of touchdowns. Devodney Alford had a game-high 97 yards rushing with two touchdowns and Joshua McKenzie added 74 yards on 6.2 yards per carry.

TAMING THE BLUE DEVILS

Lawrence Tech entered the game unbeaten with a 5-0 record and averaging 55.6 points per game. The Blue Devils’ 24 points vs. Indiana Wesleyan is a season-low and a last minute touchdown allowed them to clear 20 points. Lawrence Tech averaged nearly 400 yards of total of offense this season but were limited to only 314 on Saturday.

DOMINATING STRETCH

Lawrence Tech led 10-3 after the first quarter but Indiana Wesleyan responded with a 35-7 run to build a 38-17 lead with 2:40 left in the 4th quarter.

GETTING DEFENSIVE

The Wildcats picked off Blue Devils quarterback Tyler Kulka three times and recovered two fumbles for five takeaways Justin Johnson, Massimo Pagnoni, and Cameron Lauck all had interceptions and Pagnoni had a 25 yard return on his.

LANGS SAYS…

“Today was another team win. It was not pretty at times, nor did we constantly live inside our best. But it is hard to win college football games and I am very proud of the players and coaches for digging down and winning a tough one on the road.”

WHAT’S NEXT FOR IWU

Indiana Wesleyan has their biggest test of the 2018 season next Saturday with a road game at No. 20 Siena Heights (Mich.) in Adrian, Michigan. The Saints are the first ranked team the Wildcats will face in program history.