INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - In arguably the most anticipated game in the NAIA this season, the Top-10 showdown went the way of No. 7 Indiana Wesleyan with the 17-10 victory at No. 5 Marian Saturday evening. 
 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Two-highly regarded offenses had a defensive battle in the seven-point victory. The Wildcats never trailed in the contest and the defense dominated the Knights' offensive attack.
• First-half penalties cost the Knights as IWU scored a field goal after a face mask penalty. Holding cost Marian the most, having a rushing touchdown called back.
• For the second consecutive season, Marian struggled to put points on the board in the early going – similar to last year, which IWU won 41-7.

FIRST QUARTER

• IWU limited the home team to just nine yards on the first possession before forcing a punt.
• On the Wildcats first possession, Xander Stokes hit Jacquez Carter for six yards and a face mask put the ball on the 12 yard line. After the possession stalled, Ethan Collins blasted a field goal through the uprights from 32 yards out for a 3-0 lead.

SECOND QUARTER

• With 12:23 on the clock, IWU recorded a 14-play, 70-yard drive that used 7:17 off the clock. However, the drive stalled on the five-yard line and the Wildcats were unable to convert the field goal attempt.
• The Knights' ensuing possession ended when Zach Bundalo intercepted a pass at the IWU 42-yard line after a quarterback hurry.
• Daniel Weems had back-to-back rushes for a first down. Two plays later, Dederrian Williams took the handoff and gained 44 yards on the rush to the three-yard line. Weems went the final three yards for the score with just 38 seconds left before halftime.
• Marian managed to connect on a 36-yard field goal as time expired to make it 9-3 at the break.

THIRD QUARTER

• A defensive battle in the third frame, neither team managed to score any points. 
• IWU's best drive of the frame started with 5:39 on the clock. After Williams rushed for five yards, a face mask was called on the play, pushing the ball to the 26-yard line. 
• Stokes hit Carter for 10 yards to get to the 14. The Wildcats stalled on the nine-yard line. The team was unable to get on the board after a missed field goal.
• A quick three-and-out forced by the defense gave IWU the ball back on the 45-yard line. The team got to the 39-yard line as the quarter ended.  

FOURTH QUARTER

• Starting the quarter with fourth-and-four, IWU drew the defense offsides, extending the drive. On second-and-25, Stokes hit Markell Stephens-Peppers to get to the three-yard line. Two plays later, Stokes found Weems for the touchdown. Stokes rushed for the two-point conversion, pushing the advantage to 17-3.  
• The Knights quickly answered with a three-yard touchdown of their own with 9:47 to play, making it 17-10.
• IWU took the kick-off and used 6:13 off the clock on a nine-play, 37-yard drive. The biggest play of the possession was a 17-yard pitch-and-catch from Stokes to Williams on second-and-10. 
• Although the team was unable to score on the drive, taking nearly 70 percent of the remaining part of the game off the clock was huge.
• IWU force three straight incomplete passes and a sack, the visitors got the ball back on the 20-yard line. 
• Marian regained possession with 29 seconds to go and quickly hit a 25-yard strike. After two incompletions, Justin Johnson made a tackle after a 10-yard reception at the 42-yard line as time expired.  

TURNING POINT

• After a defensive third quarter, IWU turned the game with the touchdown drive that was extended on fourth-and-four on the offsides call. 
• Despite having 12:38 to play, the Wildcats held a two-score lead with the two-point conversion. 

WHAT THE WIN MEANS

• IWU is rolling now at 4-1 on the season. The team is able to put points on the board and the defense has been special this year.
• It also means IWU should climb in the rankings next week.
• The victory pulls the Wildcats even with the Knights in the all-time series (2-2). IWU has won the last two games against Marian. 

KEY STATISTICS

• Stokes piled up 235 yards through the air with a touchdown strike. He completed 22-of-32. Carter led the team with 10 receptions but Stephens-Peppers hauled in 99 yards. 
• The ground attack was led by Williams' 55 yards, including a 44-yard burst. 
• Defensively, Devin Bacchus led the team with nine tackles, including eight of the solo variety. He also added a tackle for loss and an interception. 
• Donovan Shelton had six solo stops while Clayton Mosher had six total tackles.
• Aaron Harris forced a fumble while Bacchus and Owen Perkins each had a pass breakup. 

LANGS PERSPECTIVE

• "That was a gritty, tough, inspired win by our team. Coaches and players have worked incredibly hard for moments like this and I am so proud of them. We must continue to improve and get better, but I couldn't be happier with the way our culture showed up tonight."

NEXT UP

• IWU stays on the road for a contest at Lawrence Tech on Saturday, Oct. 15 at 1 p.m.
• Live video and stats will be available at IWUWildcats.com.

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