LIVONIA, Mich. – No. 14 Indiana Wesleyan football delivered a historic performance to begin MSFA Mideast play on Saturday afternoon, setting multiple program records in a 71–21 road victory over Madonna University. The Wildcats posted 582 yards of total offense, including a program-record 448 passing yards, and scoring 58 of their 71 points in the first half.
Quarterback Arjun Lothe turned in one of the best single-game performances in IWU history, throwing for 355 yards and a program-record seven touchdowns, while tight end Simon Vinson added three touchdown receptions and 124 yards — both program-highs for a tight end. The defense complemented the offensive outburst by forcing five turnovers and holding Madonna scoreless for nearly the entire first half.
THE ESSENTIALS
- Location: Livonia, Mich. | Livonia Stevenson High School
- Records: IWU: 5-2 | MU: 1-6
- NAIA Top-25 Ranking: IWU - #14 | MU - Unranked
FIRST QUARTER
- The Wildcats capitalized on a Leo Morrow punt return to the Madonna 10, with Lothe finding Simon Vinson for a 10-yard score on another 1-play drive.
- Terry Sylvester grabbed an interception on the following drive, giving IWU possession at midfield.
- Lothe continued his strong performance with a 19-yard touchdown pass to Smith, pushing the margin to 23-0.
- Lothe connected with Vinson for the second time from 60-yards out. At this point in the game, Lothe had thrown 4 touchdowns on just 6 pass attempts for a 30-0 lead.
- Trey Speek snagged the second interception of the day for the defense on the following drive.
- Four plays later, Brock Short found the endzone from 3-yards out, making it 37-0.
SECOND QUARTER
- Terry Sylvester's fumble recovery set up another scoring opportunity for IWU, continuing their momentum.
- Smith caught a 23-yard touchdown pass from Lothe, extending the lead for the Wildcats, 44-0, early in the quarter.
- Madonna got of the scoreboard for the first time after a 14-play, 80-yard drive.
- Lothe connected with Vinson for a 28-yard touchdown, increasing IWU's lead to 51-7. Vinson's three touchdown receptions and 124 receiving yards are the most in program history by a tight end.
- Leo Morrow picked off the Crusaders on the first play of the following drive.
- The red and gray closed the half with a 14-yard touchdown pass to Montez Jones, solidifying a commanding 58-7 lead
THIRD QUARTER
- Zach Dutton took the reigns for IWU and capped off a 45-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run, extending IWU's lead to 65-7 with 3:03 remaining in the quarter.
- Anthony Cheesebourough recovered a fumble after MU was unable to corral a muffed snap.
- Moses Fullingim broke free for a 22-yard run, sparking another Wildcats drive late in the quarter.
FOURTH QUARTER
- Jack Doty extended the Wildcats' lead to 68-7 with a 29-yard field goal early in the quarter.
- Kwame Miller scored a 2-yard touchdown for the Crusaders, completing a 75-yard drive.
- Dutton orchestrated a 14-play drive, leading to another field goal by Doty, this time from 35 yards.
- Keel Watson connected with Eric Thomas for a 33-yard touchdown pass, closing the gap for MU before the game ended, 71-21.
OFFENSIVE LEADERS
DEFENSIVE LEADERS
- Terry Sylvester: 5 tackles, 1 INT, 1 forced fumble
- Trey Speek: 4 tackles, 1 INT, 0.5 sacks
- Anthony Cheesebourough: 2.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 1 fumble recovery
- Leo Morrow: 1 INT, 2 pass breakups
- Antonio White: 1 sack
- Team: 5 turnovers, 3 forced fumbles, 2 sacks, 6 tackles for loss)
SPECIAL TEAMS STANDOUTS
- Josh Clifton: 9-for-9 PAT's, 10 kickoffs (58.5 avg)
- Jack Doty: 2-for-2 field goals (long of 35) 4 punts for 124 yards (31.0 avg)
- Leo Morrow: 5 punt returns for 87 yards.
TEAM COMPARISON
- Total Offense: IWU 582 yards (448 pass (season-high), 134 rush); MU 229 yards (203 pass, 26 rush (season-low)).
- First Downs: IWU 28; MU 18.
- Turnovers: IWU 1; MU 5 (3 INT, 2 fumbles lost).
- Sacks: IWU defense 3 sacks (23 yds); MU recorded 0 sacks on IWU.
- Penalties: IWU 12 for 138 yards; MU 6 for 27 yards.
- Time of Possession: IWU 31:15; MU 28:43.
RODE PERSPECTIVE
- "I'm really proud of how our guys prepared for this game," said Head Coach, Andrew Rode. "They came out ready to dominate early."
UP NEXT
- IWU returns to Wildcats Stadium for Homecoming Weekend on Oct. 25 against Defiance at 4:00PM.
- Tickets can be purchased at IWUWildcats.com/tickets or by clicking HERE.
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