MARION, Ind. - No. 5 Indiana Wesleyan football continue their historic season after earning a birth in the NAIA Football Championship Series semifinals with a 24-13 win over No. 6 Benedictine on Saturday. The Wildcats controlled the game on both sides of the ball, highlighted by 348 yards of total offense and 4 defensive interceptions.


 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• 21 first-half points for the Wildcats built enough of a lead for their defense to carry them home in the second.
• IWU increases their season total to 26 interceptions, ranking highest in the NAIA.

FIRST QUARTER

• A 10 minute, 19-play opening drive for the Wildcats was capped off by 3-yard touchdown reception from Xavier Stokes to Jacquez Carter.
• The Ravens only ran two plays on their first drive before Donovan Shelton forced a fumble that was recovered by IWU.

SECOND QUARTER

• Neil Campbell started the 2nd quarter with an interception for the Wildcats.
• The Ravens got their first score of the game with a 33-yard pass and catch from Kettle to Levi. The 2-point conversion failed giving the IWU the 7-6 lead.
• Jacquez Carter caught a screen pass from Stokes and broke free for 36 yards for his 2nd touchdown of the game. IWU extended their lead to 14-6 with 2:04 left in the half.
• Campbell snagged his second interception of the game, and the Wildcat offense capitalized. Caden Currie grabbed his first catch of the seaon resulting in a 31-yard touchdown as IWU took a 21-6 lead at halftime.

THIRD QUARTER

• Ethan Collins finished off an 8:30 drive with a field goal to give the Wildcats the 24-6 lead.
• A 51-yard run and a 24-yard touchdown pass were all Benedictine needed to narrow the margin to 24-13 at the end of the 3rd quarter.

FOURTH QUARTER

• Justin Johnson soared up to snag the Wildcat's 3rd interception, after the Ravens were marching down the field to open the 4th.
• Donovan Shelton secured the victory with the defense's 4th pick of the game.
• The offense ran the clock out, earning the 24-13 win for IWU and a birth in the NAIA FCS Semifinal.

TURNING POINT

•  The Ravens had the ball down 11 in the 4th, but Johnson's interception took away any chance of a Benedictine comeback.

WHAT THE WIN MEANS

• The Wildcats earn the program's first appearance in the semifinal round of the 2022 NAIA Football Championship Series next Saturday.

KEY STATISTICS

• Offensively, Xander Stokes completed 18-of-25 through the air with 3 touchdown passes, bringing his single-season record to 27 touchdowns this season.
• Williams ran for 133 yards, his 4th-straigh game of over 120 yards.
• Jacquez Carter led the aerial attack with 3 receptions for 59 yards and 2 touchdowns. Markell Stephens-Peppers added 53 yards on 8 catches.
• After coming in to the game with only 1 interception all season, Neil Campbell snagged two in today's game.
• Isaac Abeo led the defense in tackles with 8, including 1.5 sacks.

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

• Xander Stokes was named the Offensive Player of the Game after throwing for  for 187 yards and 3 touchdowns.
• Neil Campbell was named Defensive Player of the Game after picking off 2 interceptions to go along with 4 tackles. 

LANGS PERSPECTIVE

• "Such an incredible display of team football today," said Jordan Langs, Head Football Coach. "The offense set the tone from the start, the defense played aggressive, and special teams played incredible. We feel so blessed to be in this position and look forward to another great opportunity!"

LOOKING FORWARD

• IWU travel to Orange City, Iowa to face No. 3 Northwestern College on Saturday, Dec. 3 at 1:00 PM Eastern.
• Be sure to check out IWUWildcats.com and follow us of social media for more information.

FOLLOW THE WILDCATS

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