ADRIAN, Mich. - No. 5 Indiana Wesleyan football's stingy defense guided the visitors to a 22-6 road win at Siena Heights Saturday afternoon. The win pushed the Wildcats to 7-1 on the year, including 5-0 in league play. The Saints fall to 4-4 overall and 3-2 against league foes.  
 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Wildcats used extensive drives and held the opposition to just 3.2 yards per play en route to the victory.
• IWU held the host school scoreless for the first half. When SHU did reach the endzone, the Wildcats quickly answered with another score of their own, leaving no doubt the battle-worthy team would add another victory to its record.

FIRST QUARTER

• IWU had an 11-play, 42-yard drive on its first possession, but the drive ended in a missed field goal.
• Two possessions later, the visitors managed to get on the board with a 22-yard field goal off the boot of Ethan Collins for the lone score of the quarter. The possession was set up when Bailey Jackson recovered a fumbled punt on the nine-yard line.

SECOND QUARTER

• On the first play of the quarter, Dedarrian Williams rushed for 11 yards on a second-and-six. The Wildcats were unable to convert a third-and-12 moments later, resulting in a Collins field goal from 42 yards out he calmly connected on.
• Leading 6-0, Isaac Abeo sacked Hayden Lehmann and forced a fumble on the play. Ryan Wofford scooped the ball up at the 10-yard line.
• On second-and-goal from the seven, Xander Stokes hit Perrion McClinton for the seven-yard strike. The ensuing extra point made it 13-0 with just 1:23 on the clock before halftime.

THIRD QUARTER

• On first-and-10 on the SHU 28, Donovan Shelton stepped in front of a pass and returned it 25 yards out to the 18-yard line.
• Williams rushed for nine yards on two carries, setting up a third-and-one. Stokes stayed on the ground for a five-yard gain.
• On second-and-goal, Williams rushed to the four-yard line. However, the Saints managed to force fourth down. Collins converted a 26-yard field goal for a 16-0 lead.
• SHU cut the deficit to 10 after a 38-yard touchdown pass capped a six-play, 75-yard drive with 6:01 to play in the frame.
• On the ensuing drive, Stokes hit Jacquez Carter for 22 yards to get to the 20-yard line. Moments later, Markell Stephens-Peppers caught a 14-yard strike to the 11.  

FOURTH QUARTER

• The Wildcats continued the drive at the start of the frame and Williams registered a one-yard rushing touchdown for a 22-6 lead. A failed two-point conversion left the score at 22-6.

TURNING POINT

• Although IWU controlled the contest throughout, SHU had some momentum after their touchdown. The Wildcats quickly answered on a 12-play, 61-yard drive that took 6:03 off the clock to seal the contest for the visitors.

WHAT THE WIN MEANS

• The Wildcats, one of the hottest teams in the country, return home for their final two regular-season games. The first one – against Taylor – is a Red Out. Senior Day is slated for the final regular-season match, against Madonna.

KEY STATISTICS

• The Wildcats accounted for 17 first downs in the game – 10 of which were via the run. IWU ran 75 plays and totaled 220 yards while limiting the Saints to a mere 139 yards and eight first downs during the game. The Wildcats held the ball for 40:41.
• Xander Stokes went 18-for-26 for 111 yards and a touchdown to lead the offense.
• Stokes connected with six different receivers. Markell Stephens-Peppers hauled in five passes for 35 yards. Jacquez Carter caught six passes for 26 yards. Perrion McClinton's lone catch went for a touchdown.
• Dederrian Williams led the running attack with 29 carries for 88 yards and a touchdown. Daniel Weems carried eight times for 22 yards.
• Defensively, Isaac Abeo registered six tackles, including a team-high five solo stops. Devin Bacchus, Neil Campbell and Clayton Mosher each had four tackles in the victory.
• Abeo led the way with four tackles for loss, totaling 20 yards. Campbell, Anthony Cheesbourough and Ryan Wofford all had tackles for loss.
• Ethan Collins hit three-of-four field goals with a long of 42 yards. He had six punts on the afternoon with a long of 52. Collins was sensational, placing five punts inside the 20 while booming two punts over 50 yards.

LANGS PERSPECTIVE

• "Today was an incredible win by this program," said Jordan Langs, Head Football Coach. "Our players showed up ready to play against a very good opponent in a tough environment with everything on the line! I am very very proud of how they played today!"

NEXT UP

• IWU returns home for the final two games of the regular season. The Wildcats host 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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