MARION, Ind. – No. 4 Indiana Wesleyan football got things going early and never looked back as the team cruised to the 48-12 victory over Siena Heights Saturday afternoon. Levi Tidwell broke a school record for the second straight week in the victory with 237 receiving yards.

 

OVERALL

• The win extends the Wildcats' record to 5-0 on the year.

FIRST QUARTER

• IWU got things going quickly. After starting on the 32-yard line, the team embarked on a 14-play drive to the Saints' seven-yard line. The big play on the drive was a 21-yard pass from Xander Stokes to Tidwell but a penalty put it at the 25-yard line.
• Looking at fourth-and-one, Stokes' pass intended for AJ Schafer was incomplete.
• With the visitors facing a third-and-nine, Isaac Abeo brought the pressure and sacked Elijah Taylor. He forced a fumble that was recovered by Chris Satterfield at the 13-yard line.
• Three plays later, Tidwell hauled in a nine-yard touchdown pass.
• After forcing a punt, IWU marched 53 yards on seven plays before Josh Clifton rocketed a 34-yard field goal for a 10-0 lead.

SECOND QUARTER

• With his arm, Stokes moved the Wildcats down the field early in the second quarter. A 19-yard diving catch by Dederrian Williams gave the home team a 17-0 advantage.
• Up 17-6, Tidwell brought in a 29-yard pass to get to the 37-yard line. Moments later, Williams scampered for 18 yards. Four plays later, Isaiah Gibbs struck paydirt with a one-yard touchdown.
• Clayton Mosher's interception gave the ball back to IWU just one play later. The Wildcats capitalized on it as Clifton made a 49-yard field goal with 1:41 to play.
• Keenan Hicks intercepted a pass. Stokes hit Tidwell for a 40-yard gain before connecting again for a five-yard score, giving the home team a 34-6 margin at halftime.

THIRD QUARTER

• Leading 34-12, IWU mixed the running and passing games. Stokes hit a pair of receivers for big gainers during the ensuing drive. Gibbs had three straight rushes to get to the 11-yard line. Gibbs rushed back-to-back times inside the four-yard line and found the end-zone with 5:18 to play.
• Neither team managed to score the rets of the frame.

FOURTH QUARTER

• Chris Satterfield stepped in front of a pass in the end-zone for an interception with 8:22 to play, giving the ball back to the Wildcats.
• Elijah Gibbs rushed three straight times for 12 yards. After a pass from Chase Bradman to Carter Huffman, Gibbs scampered 14 yards to midfield.
• On third-and-13, Bradman found Carter Huffman for a 15-yard gain to the 27-yard line. Two plays later, Bradman rushed for 23 yards and what turned out to be the final touchdown of the game. Clifton's extra point made it 48-12.

OFFENSIVE LEADERS

• Stokes completed 28-of-40 (70.0 percent) for 314 yards and three scores on the day. Bradman hit both targets for 19 yards.
• Tidwell established a school record for the second-straight week after hauling in 13 passes for 237 yards and a pair of scores. Williams had the team's other receiving touchdown.
• On the ground, Williams gained 70 yards on 12 carries. Gibbs got the ball 16 times for 56 yards and two touchdowns, while Bradman had the team's other rushing score.

DEFENSIVE LEADERS

• Mosher led the defense with eight total stops, including one for loss. Luke Bays added six tackles in the victory.
• Isaac Abeo had two solo tackles – and both were for a loss. Mosher and Abeo each had a sack.
• Mosher, Keenan Hicks and Satterfield all had interceptions in the victory.

SPECIAL TEAMS STANDOUTS

• Clifton made both field goal attempts, including one for 49 yards.
• Nolan Foley had five punts and averaged 32.6 yards per attempt.

STATS COMPARISON

• IWU totaled 29 first downs while only allowing 11. The Wildcats outgained the opposition 212-100 on the ground. The home team threw for 333 yards while limiting the opposition to 182 yards. IWU averaged 6.19 yards per play.
• The Wildcats held the ball for 42:03 while allowing Siena Heights to only have possession for 17:57.
• IWU converted nine-of-18 third downs and the team was also one-for-two on fourth down.

WHAT THE WIN MEANS

• The victory keeps IWU among the ranks of the undefeated.
• The Wildcats head to rival Taylor (1-4) as the second consecutive undefeated team to face the Trojans (St. Francis (Ill.).

RODE PERSPECTIVE

• "So proud of our team," said Andrew Rode, Head Football Coach. "We played complimentary football with all three phases of the game. We continue to show how resilient and tough this team is. We have a lot of guys stepping up and making plays on this team right now like Levi Tidwell, Josh Clifton, Luke Bays, Jamis Carson and Xander Stokes."

TIDWELL PERSPECTIVE

• "It was a great day for the offense," said Levi Tidwell, Senior Wide Receiver. "Nick Shirley and Carter Huffman stepped up and filled some big shoes. Our system and execution are what separated us today. A lot of credit to good play calling by Coach Rode and good QB play by Xander Stokes."

LOOKING FORWARD

• The Wildcats play at Taylor University on Saturday, Oct. 7 at 6:00 p.m.
• Links for tickets, video and stats will be available at IWUWildcats.com.

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