Football 11/3/2023 11:35:00 AM

PREVIEW: NO. 3 FOOTBALL SET FOR TOP-FIVE BATTLE WITH MARIAN

Football 11/3/2023 11:35:00 AM

PREVIEW: NO. 3 FOOTBALL SET FOR TOP-FIVE BATTLE WITH MARIAN

PREVIEW

WEEK 9: No. 3 Indiana Wesleyan (8-0) vs. No. 4 Marian (8-0)
This marks the fifth meeting between the schools – and the third one that will be in Marion, Ind. The Wildcats defeated Marian 17-10 a season ago.

KICKOFF

This week, kickoff is slated for 12 p.m

ON THE INTERNET

Fans can watch the game on ESPN+ or by clicking HERE.
Listen to the game on 1400 AM WBAT or on 94.3 FM The Fortress.
Live stats are available by clicking HERE.

THE SERIES

The series between Indiana Wesleyan and Marian is tied at 2-2. This marks the third game at home for IWU in the series. The Wildcats lost the first game between the two 33-21 in 2019 at home before posting a 41-7 win in front of the home crowd in 2021.

SHATTERING RECORDS

In the win over USF, the Wildcats' defense intercepted four passes. Neil Campbell hauled in three interceptions, shattering the previous school record.

SMITH'S BIG DAY

Isaac Smith was unstoppable in the win over the Cougars. He hauled in 10 passes for 233 yards and three touchdowns, nearly outscoring the home team by himself. Smith averaged 23.3 yards per catch in the 52-21 victory.

AT THE HELM

Head coach Andrew Rode's team is taking on its second ranked team of the season after defeating No. 15 Saint Xavier 16-15 on Sept. 16. Rode has taken the Wildcats to an 8-0 ledger, including a 5-0 mark in league play. IWU will be facing its first nationally-ranked team at home under Rode. Under the first-year head coach, the Wildcats are outscoring opponents 37.3-13-5.

WILDCAT LEADERS

Dederrian Williams leads the vaunted rushing attack with 1,047 yards and 10 touchdowns. Xander Stokes has three rushing scores while Isaiah Gibbs also has two touchdowns on the ground.
Stokes has completed 61 percent of his attempts for 1,926 yards and 20 touchdowns. He accounts for 240.7 passing yards per game.
Levi Tidwell leads the way with 809 receiving yards and seven touchdowns while Isaac Smith had a tremendous game a week ago. Smith has four touchdown receptions and averages 78.0 yards per game.

Luke Bays has a team-best 76 total tackles while Clayton Mosher's 27 solo tackles lead the way.
Isaac Abeo has a team-high 13 tackles for loss, including nine sacks. Ammen Hicks has a team-best two fumble recoveries.
Neil Campbell's six interceptions top the team after a three-interception game a week ago.

Nolan Foley has placed 10 of his 35 punts inside the 20-yard line and has a long of 55 yards.
Josh Clifton has connected on five-of-seven field goal attempts, including a season-best of 49 yards.

MARIAN LEADERS

Keegan la Belle and William Gibson lead the rushing attack. la Belle averages 8.8 yards per carry with five touchdowns while Gibson posts a team-best 76.5 yards per game and has reached the endzone five times.
Zach Bundalo has thrown for 1,700 yards with 11 touchdowns against five interceptions. He averages 212.5 yards per game through the air while completing 59.8 percent of his attempts.
Bundalo's main target has been Jalen Jennings, who leads the team with 509 receiving yards and five touchdowns. Tirae Spence has 461 yards receiving with three touchdowns.

The defense is led by Jake Paris' 55 total tackles (30 solo). Nate Frey has 47 tackles on the season. Paris leads the squad with 8.5 tackles for loss while Tyler Bukur has eight tackles for loss. Dakari Kenney's four sacks top the team.
Dwight Lewis III and Adrian Cuevas each have three interceptions while Lewis III also has a team-best three fumble recoveries

Mason Miller accounts for 39.6 yards per punt with a long of 55. He has 15 punts inside the 20 and has seven punts of at least 50 yards.
Marlon Pomili hit eight-of-12 field goals, including two-of-three from over 40 yards.

WHAT TO WATCH

This could be the best game during the NAIA regular season this year. A pair of top-five programs playing at a high-level means that fans could see a top-notch game. Head coach Andrew Rode's team scores at a high clip and has a tremendous defense. The Knights account for 33.7 points a game while surrendering 12.3 points per contest. With both teams around the same averages, something has to give this week.

UP NEXT

The Wildcats hit the road for the final regular-season contest.
IWU returns to action Saturday when they play at No. 20 Concordia at 1 p.m.
Links for video and stats will be available on IWUWildcats.com

FOLLOW THE WILDCATS

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

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Players Mentioned

#4 Isaac Abeo: DL; 6' 3"; Graduate Student; /

#5 Luke Bays: LB; 6' 0"; Junior

#24 Neil Campbell: DB; 5' 11"; Senior; /

#75 Ammen Hicks: DL; 6' 1"; Sophomore

#2 Clayton Mosher: LB; 6' 0"; Junior

#2 Isaac Smith: WR; 6' 0"; Sophomore

#16 Xander Stokes: QB; 6' 1"; Graduate Student; /

#11 Levi Tidwell: WR; 5' 11"; Senior; /

#14 Dederrian Williams: RB; 5' 10"; Senior

#17 Josh Clifton: K/P; 6' 0"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#4 Isaac Abeo
: 6' 3"; Graduate Student; /
: DL

#5 Luke Bays
: 6' 0"; Junior
: LB

#24 Neil Campbell
: 5' 11"; Senior; /
: DB

#75 Ammen Hicks
: 6' 1"; Sophomore
: DL

#2 Clayton Mosher
: 6' 0"; Junior
: LB

#2 Isaac Smith
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: WR

#16 Xander Stokes
: 6' 1"; Graduate Student; /
: QB

#11 Levi Tidwell
: 5' 11"; Senior; /
: WR

#14 Dederrian Williams
: 5' 10"; Senior
: RB

#17 Josh Clifton
: 6' 0"; Freshman
: K/P

Indiana Wesleyan University

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PREVIEW: NO. 3 FOOTBALL SET FOR TOP-FIVE BATTLE WITH MARIAN

PREVIEW: NO. 3 FOOTBALL SET FOR TOP-FIVE BATTLE WITH MARIAN

Players Mentioned

#4 Isaac Abeo

#5 Luke Bays

#24 Neil Campbell

#75 Ammen Hicks

#2 Clayton Mosher

#2 Isaac Smith

#16 Xander Stokes

#11 Levi Tidwell

#14 Dederrian Williams

#17 Josh Clifton

Players Mentioned

#4 Isaac Abeo

#5 Luke Bays

#24 Neil Campbell

#75 Ammen Hicks

#2 Clayton Mosher

#2 Isaac Smith

#16 Xander Stokes

#11 Levi Tidwell

#14 Dederrian Williams

#17 Josh Clifton