Football 10/27/2022 4:03:00 PM

FOOTBALL PREVIEW: NO. 5 WILDCATS SET FOR FINAL ROAD GAME OF SEASON AT SIENA HEIGHTS

Football 10/27/2022 4:03:00 PM

PREVIEW

WEEK 8: INDIANA WESLEYAN (6-1, 4-0) vs. SIENA HEIGHTS (4-3, 3-1)
IWU hits the road for the final time of 2022 this weekend at Siena Heights. The Wildcats have been solid away from home this year, going 3-1.
After dropping the team's first game of the season on the road (20-17), IWU has rebounded to win three straight road contests.
Overall, the Wildcats are outscoring their opponents 103-70 away from Marion, Ind.

KICKOFF

ON THE INTERNET

Fans can watch the game by clicking HERE.
Listen to the game on WBAT Radio 105.5FM/1400AM or online on WBAT.com by clicking HERE.
Live stats are available by clicking HERE.

THE SERIES

The all-time series is tied at 2-2. IWU lost the first game on the road before posting back-to-back victories.

NATIONAL RANKINGS

Indiana Wesleyan is among the national leaders in points per game with 33.3, which is 20th. The Wildcats are 21st nationally in red zone conversion (75%). The 233 points scored ranks 24th in the nation. The offensive attack averaged 7.5 yards per attempt in the passing game, which is 25th while the 16 passing touchdowns ranks 26th.
Defensively, the Wildcats are tied for the national lead with 16 interceptions. IWU is 20th against the run (93.3 yards).
Xander Stokes is 23rd nationally in passing yards per game (211.7). His 16 touchdown passes are good enough for 14th in the nation. Stokes' efficiency of 157.9 is 10th.
Jacquez Carter is 15th in receiving yards per game (87.4) while his 612 receiving yards are 18th. Carter's six touchdown catches put him 25th nationally. His 80-yard catch is tied for 23rd.
Ethan Collins' 43 points are 25th among kickers. His 38.4 yard per punt also puts him tied for 25th nationally. Collins' 68-yard punt is the 23rd longest of the season.
Donovan Shelton is tied for the national lead with six interceptions. Justin Johnson and Lane Ruby's three picks apiece are good enough for 28th.

WILDCAT LEADERS

Xander Stokes leads the passing attack with 1,482 yards and 16 touchdowns. He has hit 129 targets, which is good enough for 66.49 percent. Stokes is averaging 211.71 yards per game.
Leading the way for the receiving corps is Jacquez Carter with 50 receptions, 612 yards and six touchdowns. He Is averaging 87.43 yards per game while Markell Stephens-Peppers is just behind him at 77.33 yards per game.
On the ground, the balanced attack is led by Dedrerrian Williams' 54.86 yards per game. Daniel Weems leads the way with five touchdowns. Jameson Chesser's 7.8 yards per carry top the team.
Defensively, Clayton Mosher has a team-best 52 tackles, including 5.5 for loss. Mosher, Donovan Shelton, Justin Johnson and Devin Bacchus all have over 20 solo stops. Isaac Abeo has a team-high 7.5 tackles for loss, including 4.0 sacks. Neil Campbell has a team-high five pass breakups.
Ethan Collins has been the lone kicker in all facets of the game for the Wildcats. He is averaging 38.40 yards per punt and has placed 12 inside the 20. Seven of his kicks have gone over 50 yards. He is six-for-12 on field goals and has 12 touchbacks while kicking off.

SAINTS LEADERS

The Saints have a pair of capable quarterbacks that have seen significant time this season. Ryan Minor has thrown for 690 yards and five scores while Hayden Lehmann has accounted for 615 yards and four touchdowns. Both are averaging over 100 yards passing a game.
The two backs that have significant carries are Kaleb Jefferson and Jamon Benson II. Jefferson has rushed for 492 yards and five scores while Benson II has galloped for 361 yards and a score but is averaging 5.3 yards per carry.
Eric Williams II and Michael Guyton are the go-to receivers. Each has three touchdown receptions. Williams II has 419 yards while Guyton has pulled in 25 catches for 300 yards.
Andrew Bookman's longest punt is 66 yards. Anthony Secchi is nearly automatic, convergint eight-of-10 field goals and all 21 extra points.
Defensively, Kole Murlin leads the team with 83 total tackles. He and Joseph Wharton each have 9.5 tackles for loss. Cosey Goff's seven pass break-ups top the team. Both Armand Childs and Antonio Simley each have a block to their credit.

WHAT TO WATCH

One winning streak will come to an end on Saturday. The Saints have won back-to-back games while the Wildcats have won six in a row. SHU has scored 79 points in its last two outings. In its losses, the Saints are averaging 17 points a game.
With a stingy defense this season, the Wildcats will look to slow down the potent Saints' offense from the last two weeks.

UP NEXT

IWU returns home for the final two games of the regular season. The Wildcats host rival Taylor University on Saturday, Nov. 5 at 12:00 p.m.
Individuals looking to attend can purchase tickets at IWUWildcats.com/Tickets.

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Indiana Wesleyan University