ORANGE CITY, Iowa. - No. 5 Indiana Wesleyan football saw their historic 2022 season come to an end on Saturday after a 38-7 loss to No. 3 Northwestern College in the semifinal round of the 2022 NAIA Football Championship Series. The Wildcats made their first appearance in the semifinal round of the program's short six-year history. IWU earned their highest win total with 11 victories and their first-ever conference championship.


 

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

 

• It didn't take long for Northwestern's offense to catch fire, scoring two touchdowns in the first 6 minutes of the game.
• The Red Raiders added a field goal just before the end of the first quarter to take a 17-0 lead.

 

SECOND QUARTER

 

 

• The IWU defense stepped up in the second quarter and held three NWC drives to 0 points.
• Xander Stokes threw just his 3rd interception of the season and the Wildcats were still down 17-0 at halftime.

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THIRD QUARTER

 

• Northwestern quarterback Jalyn Gramstad threw and ran for touchdowns in the 3rd to extend their lead to 31-0.
• IWU's offense continued to struggle with 4 drives for 4 yards of total offense in the quarter.

 

FOURTH QUARTER

 
 

• The Red Raiders scored their 5th touchdown of the game after a 7-play, 37 yard drive.
• Xander Stokes launched a 50 yard throw to Jacquez Carter to put the Wildcats in the red zone.
• Dederrian Williams punched it in the endzone from 2 yards out to give IWU their first score of the game.

 

TURNING POINT

 

• The Red Raiders came out the gate fast scoring two touchdowns quickly in the first quarter.

 

KEY STATISTICS

 
 

• Indiana Wesleyan recorded 182 yards compared to 373 for Northwestern. The Red Raiders held a 4.8 yard-per rush average for 213 total yards compared to 2.1 yard per rush for 47 total yards for the Wildcats.
• IWU completed 11 passes for 135 yards. NWC completed 13 passes for 160 yards.
• Northwestern held possession of the ball for 41:12 compaired to 18:48 for Indiana Wesleyan.
• Dederrian Williams was held to 59 total yards with a touchdown.
• Jacquez Carter caught a game-high 6 passes for 102 yards.
• Devin Bacchus led the defense with 11 total tackles and 3 tackles for loss, including 2 sacks.

LANGS PERSPECTIVE

 

• "This was an incredible season for IWU Football," said Jordan Langs, Head Football Coach. "It is marked by perseverance, toughness and togetherness. These players stuck together through dark times, gave their best each day, and made this University proud. I am so thankful for the investment by so many people to get us to this point, and I am proud to be the Head Football Coach at Indiana Wesleyan. The future is very bright for the Wildcats."

 

 

FOLLOW THE WILDCATS

 

• Follow Athletics (@IWUWildcats): Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
• Follow Football (@IndWesleyan_FB): Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

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