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Football

FOOTBALL PREVIEW: NO. 5 WILDCATS TAKE ON NO. 13 AVILA IN FIRST ROUND OF NAIA CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Football

FOOTBALL PREVIEW: NO. 5 WILDCATS TAKE ON NO. 13 AVILA IN FIRST ROUND OF NAIA CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES


 

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 PREVIEW



 

  • NO. 5 INDIANA WESLEYAN (9-1) vs. NO. 13 AVILA (10-1)
  • IWU begins postseason play in the First Round of the 2022 NAIA Football Championship Series at home in Wildcat Stadium. 
  • The Wildcats put their 9-game win streak against an Eagle squad on a 7-game win streak with only one team able to continue on in their season.
  • Both teams are looking for their first playoff victory in their program's history.
 
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 KICKOFF



 

  • Saturday, Nov. 19 at 1:00 p.m. in Marion, Ind.
 
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 ON THE INTERNET
 


 

  • Fans can watch the game on the IWU Wildcats Livestream.
  • 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.
  • Fans can visit the Championship Central page by clicking HERE.


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 THE SERIES



 
  • This marks the first time these two programs have played each other.

 
 
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 NATIONAL LEADERS


 

  • Xander Stokes is 7th in the national rankings with a completion percentage of 64.5% and 9th with 23 touchdowns.
  • Dederrian Williams is 21st with 80.6 rushing yards per game. He's tied for 13th with 12 rushing touchdowns.
  • Jacquez Carter is 24th nationally with 72.7 receiving yards per game. His nine receiving scores are tied for 17th in the rankings. 
  • Ethan Collins is 6th with 79 points among kickers.
  • Donovan Shelton is tied for the national lead with seven interceptions. His 101 interception return yards are 16th. Isaac Abeo's 9 sacks are good enough for 16th in the rankings. His 60 yards lost are also 18th nationally.
  • Devin Bacchus' two fumble recoveries are tied for 13th.
 
 
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 WILDCAT LEADERS


 

  • Xander Stokes has thrown for 1932 yards and a program record 23 scores against just two interceptions while completing 64.5% percent of his throws. Jacquez Carter's nine touchdowns lead the team as does his 723 yards. Markell Stephens-Peppers is second on the team with 4 touchdowns. 
  • After Dederrian Williams' two monster games, he now has 806 rushing yards, and his 12 scores tie the program record. Jameson Chesser is averaging 9.7 yards per carry after a 159 yard performace last week.
  • Ethan Collins is averaging 38.2 yards per punt with a long of 68 and placing 19 inside the 20. He has hit 12 field goals on the season.
  • Clayton Mosher has a team-high 80 tackles while Isaac Abeo's 15.5 tackles for loss are the most on the team. Abeo's 9 sacks lead the squad. Donovan Shelton's seven interceptions are the most on the team. Neil Campbell has seven pass break-ups.
 
 
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 EAGLE LEADERS


 

  • AU ranks 10th in the NAIA with 26 rushing touchdowns and 20th with 184.4 yards per game.
  • The Eagles' 33 sacks this season rank 10th in the nation. They have also scored 3 defensive touchdowns ranking 14th in the NAIA.
  • Freshman quarterback Eli Williams has thrown for 1,751 yards and thrown for 19 touchdowns.
  • Malik Nesbitt leads the rushing attack with 973 total yards and 13 touchdowns. Williams also averages 60 yards a game running at the the quarterback position.
  • Andrew Williams and Melvin Reid are the biggest targets for Williams, connecting on 13 of the team's 21 receiving touchdowns.
  • Kaivon Mortazavi is 5-9 on field goals this season and kicking 90% on extra points.
  • Defensively, Joey Mars and Jose Bautista lead the defense combining for a total 148 tackles of the team's 698.


 

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 WHAT TO WATCH
 


 

  • One of the nation's top defenses in IWU goes up against Avila, one of the best rushing attacks in the country. In a game where weather and wind will play a factor, look for both teams to emphasis the ground game.


 
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 UP NEXT


 

  • The winner will advance to the quarterfinals of the NAIA Football Championship series and will face the winner of No. 4 Bethel (Tenn.) vs No. 12. Keiser (Fla.)

 
 
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 FOLLOW THE WILDCATS


 










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Players Mentioned

Isaac Abeo

#94 Isaac Abeo

DL
6' 3"
Senior
/
Neil Campbell

#24 Neil Campbell

DB
5' 11"
Junior
/
Jacquez Carter

#8 Jacquez Carter

WR
6' 2"
Graduate Student
Jameson Chesser

#22 Jameson Chesser

RB
5' 10"
Sophomore
Ethan Collins

#17 Ethan Collins

K/P
5' 10"
Junior
/
Clayton Mosher

#2 Clayton Mosher

LB
6' 0"
Sophomore
Donovan Shelton

#0 Donovan Shelton

DB
5' 8"
Graduate Student
/
Xander Stokes

#16 Xander Stokes

QB
6' 1"
Senior
/
Markell Stephens-Peppers

#3 Markell Stephens-Peppers

WR
5' 11"
Junior
Devin Bacchus

#5 Devin Bacchus

LB
6' 0"
Graduate Student

Players Mentioned

Isaac Abeo

#94 Isaac Abeo

6' 3"
Senior
/
DL
Neil Campbell

#24 Neil Campbell

5' 11"
Junior
/
DB
Jacquez Carter

#8 Jacquez Carter

6' 2"
Graduate Student
WR
Jameson Chesser

#22 Jameson Chesser

5' 10"
Sophomore
RB
Ethan Collins

#17 Ethan Collins

5' 10"
Junior
/
K/P
Clayton Mosher

#2 Clayton Mosher

6' 0"
Sophomore
LB
Donovan Shelton

#0 Donovan Shelton

5' 8"
Graduate Student
/
DB
Xander Stokes

#16 Xander Stokes

6' 1"
Senior
/
QB
Markell Stephens-Peppers

#3 Markell Stephens-Peppers

5' 11"
Junior
WR
Devin Bacchus

#5 Devin Bacchus

6' 0"
Graduate Student
LB
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