Football 11/3/2022 10:03:00 AM

FOOTBALL PREVIEW: NO. 5 WILDCATS RETURN HOME FOR RIVALRY GAME AGAINST TAYLOR

Football 11/3/2022 10:03:00 AM

PREVIEW

WEEK 9: INDIANA WESLEYAN (7-1, 5-0) vs. TAYLOR (5-4, 3-2)
IWU returns home for the final two games of the regular season, starting this Saturday against Taylor University, which has been deemed a Red Out game.

KICKOFF

ON THE INTERNET

Fans can watch the game on either ESPN3 or 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.

GAME SPONSOR

Total Restoration in Indianapolis, Indiana is this week's game sponsor.
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FAN PROMOTIONS

THE SERIES

The all-time series is tied at 2-2. After dropping the first game of the series, the Wildcats bounced back for victories in 2019 and the spring of 2021.

NATIONAL RANKINGS

The Wildcats lead the nation with 18 interceptions. IWU is sixth in scoring, averaging 31.9 points per game. The defense is limiting foes to 11.9 points per game, which is sixth.
Donovan Shelton's seven interceptions are the most in NAIA. His 101 return yards put him in a tie for 10th. Isaac Abeo's 7.5 sacks rank 14th in the nation. His 52 sack yards put him tied for 11th. Abeo's 59 yards for loss are 25th most nationally. Jacquez Carter ranks 20th nationally with 79.8 receiving yards per game. Xander Stokes is 25th with 199.1 passing yards per game.

WILDCAT LEADERS

Xander Stokes leads the offense with 147 completions on 220 attempts for 1,593 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Jacquez Carter is his favorite target, having connected on 56 passes for 683 yards and six touchdowns. Markell Stephens-Peppers has 35 receptions for 499 yards and three scores. Perrion McClinton also has three touchdown receptions.
Dederrian Williams has rushed for 472 yards on 101 attempts. He has three scores. Daniel Weems leads the team with five touchdown runs while running for 377 yards. Jameson Chesser's 7.8 yards per carry are the most for anyone with at least 10 attempts.
Clayton Mosher leads the team with 56 total tackles while Devin Bacchus is right behind him with 52. Isaac Abeo has a team-best 11 tackles for loss, including 7.5 sacks.
Donovan Shelton's seven interceptions lead the team and Justin Johnson has a team-best four pass break-ups.
Ethan Collins is averaging 38.34 yards a punt. He has a long of 68 and has nine of 50 yards or more. Collins also has placed 17 punts inside the 20.
Collins has hit nine field goals and leads the team with 53 points.

TAYLOR LEADERS

Quarterback Elijah McCloske leads the offense with 1,304 passing yards. He has hit 89 targets in 187 attempts (47.6 percent). McCloske has started all nine games and has nine touchdowns against 11 interceptions.
Brendan Lamb leads the rushing attack with 509 yards at 5.9 yards per clip. He, Stephen Ellis, Ja Thomas and Takohta Sonnich all have three touchdown runs. Dylan Scally has a team-best five scores.
Sonnich leads the receivers with 492 yards and five touchdown receptions. Hutson Hohlbein has 448 yards receiving and three scores.
Jacob Hockett leads the defense with 93 total tackles. He and Luke Corsten each have 6.5 tackles for loss while Braxton Green has four sacks.
Dawson Scally has an interception return for a touchdown while Reid Wheeler has a team-best three interceptions. Reese Pinckney has a team-best seven pass break-ups.
Jozef Osiecki has a long punt of 57 yards and has placed five inside the 20.
Zane Shilts is perfect in his field goal attempts, connecting on all eight. He has drained 29-of-30 extra points (96.7 percent).

WHAT TO WATCH

The turnover battle. Indiana Wesleyan has been brilliant on defense this season and is coming off a two-interception game against SHU. Taylor had five turnovers last outing, including three interceptions. With a stingy defense playing in front of a frenzied crowd in a Red Out game, look for the defense to create extra opportunities for the offense.
Additionally, the Trojans have lost their last three road games this season. Combined in the three losses, Taylor has been outscored 156-23.

UP NEXT

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Indiana Wesleyan University