MARION, Ind. – Indiana Wesleyan football got on the board first Saturday, winning a hard-fought 17-10 game against No. 22 Siena Heights to open the Wildcats home slate. It's the Wildcats second win over a ranked Saints team in program history.


IWU STANDOUTS

• Xander Stokes was consistent all day long. He threw for 185 yards on 18 completions with a pair of touchdowns. He connected on 72 percent of his attempts for the game.
• Brayden Smith continued his stellar career with an eight-reception, 121-yard day. He had a pair of touchdowns, outscoring the Saints by himself. Smith's 51-yard reception was the longest of the day for him.
• Payton Shoemaker had another solid game, averaging 4.4 yards per rushing attempt. He had 44 yards on 10 carries.
• Cameron Lauck continued his dominance, registering a team-high seven solo stops. Lauck also forced a fumble. Jamis Carson was not far behind, posting six solo tackles. For good measure, Carson also had an interception.
• Justin Johnson averaged 21 yards per kick return, notching a long of 33.

FIRST QUARTER

• Neither team could muster any offense that resulted in a score in the opening quarter of action.

SECOND QUARTER

• Xander Stokes finished a drive off in fine fashion, hitting Brayden Smith for a four-yard score, giving the Wildcats a 6-0 advantage with 6:46 to play in the quarter. Ben VonGunten's kick made it 7-0.
• The Saints answered with a field goal just before halftime, making it 7-3.

THIRD QUARTER

• Xander Stokes and Brayden Smith connected for a 51-yard touchdown in the third frame. The extra point pushed the margin to 14-3 at the 11:47 mark. It also tied the second-longest pass play in school history (Deontea Henderson vs. Olivet Nazarene on 10/27/18).

FOURTH QUARTER

• The Saints scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter, but the IWU defense stepped up and did not allow the tying score.

WE MUST PROTECT THIS HOUSE

• After going 4-1 at home in 2018 and 2019, the Wildcats continued to dominate their opponents at home. With the win, IWU moved to 9-2 at home.

MR. SMITH

• Brayden Smith had a solid day, as usual. In the first half, Smith caught his 20^th receiving touchdown of his career. His 21^st touchdown reception came in the third quarter. During the quarter, Smith also surpassed the 1,600-yard mark for receiving yards in his career.  
• With 1:36 to play in the frame, Ben VonGunten drilled a 30-yard field goal attempt to make it 17-3.

MR. CONSISTENT

• Ben VonGunten was perfect on the day. He connected on his lone field goal attempt and made both extra points he attempted.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Indiana Wesleyan averaged 5.2 yards per play and was perfect in the red zone, going 2-2. The team did not commit a turnover while forcing Siena Heights into one miscue.
• The defense stepped up and posted two sacks and produced five tackles for loss.
• The offensive line was superb, not allowing the visitors to record a sack in the game.

GAME VITALS

• Indiana Wesleyan improves to 1-1 on the year while Siena Heights falls to 0-2.

SERIES HISTORY

• After losing to Siena Heights in 2018, IWU posted a 28-21 win at home over the Saints in 2019 earning the programs first Top-25 win. With the victory this year, the Wildcats are now 2-1 in the all-time series with both wins coming when SHU was ranked.

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