Football 9/15/2023 9:35:00 AM

FOOTBALL PREVIEW: NO. 5 IWU TRAVELS TO ST. XAVIER FOR TOP 15 MATCHUP

Football 9/15/2023 9:35:00 AM

FOOTBALL PREVIEW: NO. 5 IWU TRAVELS TO ST. XAVIER FOR TOP 15 MATCHUP

PREVIEW

WEEK 2: Indiana Wesleyan (2-0) at Saint Xavier (1-1)
The Wildcats hit the road for a Top-15 match-up. Saint Xavier lost to Top-10 Marian last Saturday, while the Wildcats avenged one of their two losses from a season ago.

KICKOFF

Saturday, Sept. 16 at Saint Xavier at 8:00 p.m.

ON THE INTERNET

Fans can watch the game by clicking HERE.
Listen to the game by clicking HERE, then clicking "Listen Live Kokomo".
Live stats are available by clicking HERE.

THE SERIES

Two talented programs meeting on the field this weekend. This marks the first time in the program's history IWU will take on Saint Xavier.

AT THE HELM

Head coach Andrew Rode has enjoyed his time at the helm of the talented IWU program after going 2-0.
After his offense showcased how impressive it could be in the opener, the defense stepped up and forced turnover after turnover in the win over Valparaiso.
After the visitors pulled within two, IWU secured the victory after forcing a failed two-point conversion in the waning seconds.

WILDCAT LEADERS

Dederrian Williams leads the ground attack for IWU with 170 yards. He is averaging 5.3 yards per carry and has both rushing touchdowns for IWU. Isaiah Gibbs and Xander Stokes are the only other student-athletes that have at least 10 rushing attempts on the season.
Stokes has thrown all but one pass by the Wildcats this season. He is 29-of-54 for 411 yards and six touchdowns. Through two games, he is averaging 205.5 yards in the air. He has only tossed one interception.
Stokes has three top targets so far this year. Isaac Smith and Levi Tidwell have each hauled in seven passes while Williams has grabbed eight passes. Tidwell and Williams have two touchdown receptions apiece while Smith and Tristen Hayes each have one. Smith leads the team with 147 total yards while Tidwell has racked up 126 yards through two games, including a long of 36.
Clayton Mosher has a team-best 21 tackles while Luke Bays has 20. Isaac Abeo's five tackles for loss, including three sacks, lead the squad.
Neil Campbell has a team-best eight solo stops on the year. He and Preston Sykes have each snagged two interceptions.
Drake Deshetsky has two pass break-ups.
Nolan Foley has punted nine times and is averaging 31 yards a kick. He has placed three inside the 20 yard line and has not kicked any into the end-zone. Josh Clifton's lone punt went 47 yards.
Clifton has hit one-of-two field goal attempts this season.

SAINT XAVIER LEADERS

Amari Venerable leads the rushing attack with 29 attempts for 151 yards. He is averaging 5.2 yards a carry and has two of the three rushing touchdowns.
Aiden Voss has completed 29-of-52 passes for 367 yards and four scores. He has six interceptions.
Justin Pringle is the leading receiver with 11 catches for 156 yards and two touchdowns. Kyle Quinn and Brandt Hixson each have a touchdown reception.
Defensively, Terry Elias leads the way with 22 tackles, including 15 solos stops. Ron Carroll has 21 tackles. Marcus Griffin has two sacks.
Avobami Arokovo has a team-best three pass break-ups.
Joe Polselli has recorded three punts and is averaging 31.33 yards an attempt. Peyton Benes drilled a 40-yard field goal in his lone attempt of the season.

WHAT TO WATCH

This marks the second consecutive week Saint Xavier has faced a Top-10 team after coming off a 28-21 loss at Marian.
Saint Xavier is averaging 33 points a game and is playing in front of its own crowd for the first time this season. The team is giving up 28 points a game.
Look for Indiana Wesleyan to use every facet of the offensive attack against the talented squad. Additionally, the Cougars have a balanced offensive attack. With two outstanding offensive teams, the key will be in the turnover battle.

UP NEXT

The Wildcats return to action next week when they host Roosevelt University in a noon kick-off in front of the home fans.
Video, radio, stats, and tickets 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; /

#10 Drake Deshetsky: LB; 6' 2"; Junior

#41 Tristen Hayes: TE; 6' 3"; Junior

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

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

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

#8 Preston Sykes: DB; 6' 1"; Junior

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

Players Mentioned

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

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

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

#10 Drake Deshetsky
: 6' 2"; Junior
: LB

#41 Tristen Hayes
: 6' 3"; Junior
: TE

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

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

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

#8 Preston Sykes
: 6' 1"; Junior
: DB

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

Indiana Wesleyan University

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FOOTBALL PREVIEW: NO. 5 IWU TRAVELS TO ST. XAVIER FOR TOP 15 MATCHUP

FOOTBALL PREVIEW: NO. 5 IWU TRAVELS TO ST. XAVIER FOR TOP 15 MATCHUP

Players Mentioned

#4 Isaac Abeo

#5 Luke Bays

#24 Neil Campbell

#10 Drake Deshetsky

#41 Tristen Hayes

#2 Clayton Mosher

#2 Isaac Smith

#16 Xander Stokes

#8 Preston Sykes

#11 Levi Tidwell

Players Mentioned

#4 Isaac Abeo

#5 Luke Bays

#24 Neil Campbell

#10 Drake Deshetsky

#41 Tristen Hayes

#2 Clayton Mosher

#2 Isaac Smith

#16 Xander Stokes

#8 Preston Sykes

#11 Levi Tidwell