Football 10/3/2025 6:00:00 AM

PREVIEW: NO. 16 FOOTBALL BEGINS OCTOBER WITH HOME GAME AGAINST SAINT FRANCIS (IL)

MARION, Ind. – No. 16 Indiana Wesleyan football returns home this Saturday for a noon kickoff against the University of St. Francis (Ill.). The Wildcats look to bounce back after last week's loss, while the Saints enter on a two-game winning streak. This final MSFA cross-division matchup features two high-powered offenses, as IWU aims to defend home field against a surging USF squad.

THE ESSENTIALS

#16 Indiana Wesleyan University vs. Olivet Nazarene University
Location: Marion, Ind. | Wildcat Football Stadium
Kickoff: 12:00PM ET
Records: IWU: 3-2 | USF: 2-2

HOW TO FOLLOW

Live Video: https://www.team1sports.com/indianawesleyan/
Live Stats: iwuwildcats.com/sidearmstats/football/summary
Radio: Listen in Grant Country on 94.3FM The Fortress
Tickets: https://events.hometownticketing.com/boxoffice/iwu/L2VtYmVkL2V2ZW50LzYyMQ==
Football A-Z: https://iwuwildcats.com/sports/2020/8/26/football-a-to-z.aspx
Digital Program: https://digitalprograms.learfield.com/indianawesleyan/football/14685

THE SERIES

Saturday's game will be the third all-time meeting between Indiana Wesleyan and St. Francis (Ill.).
IWU won both matchups in 2024 and 2018.
The Wildcats defeated USF 38-3 last season in Joliet, Ill.

IWU TEAM STATS

The Wildcats (3-2) enter the weekend with one of the NAIA's top passing offenses, averaging over 320 yards per game (6th in NAIA) through the air behind quarterback Arjun Lothe.
IWU is scoring 42.2 points per game (12^th in NAIA) and has a balanced attack with 13 rushing touchdowns this season (9^th in NAIA).
Defensively, the Wildcats have been disruptive, recording 12 sacks (16^th in NAIA) and forcing seven interceptions in five games.

WILDCAT LEADERS | 2025 SEASON STATS

Quarterback Arjun Lothe has completed 100 of 182 passes (54.9%) for 1,592 yards (2^nd in NAIA), 13 touchdowns (6^th in NAIA), and five interceptions, averaging 318.4 passing yards per game (5^th in NAIA). He also has one rushing score.
Running back Cameron Morrison leads the ground game with 391 rushing yards (17^th in NAIA) and five touchdowns (16^th in NAIA), averaging 78.2 yards per game. Ayden Ewing adds 192 yards and four touchdowns, while Brock Short has 175 yards and two touchdowns with a 9.2-yard average.
Wideout Isaac Smith leads all receivers with 38 catches (3^rd in NAIA) for 425 yards (14^th in NAIA) and four touchdowns (18^th in NAIA). Braxton Myers has 371 yards and three touchdowns with an average of 23.2 yards/catch (5^th in NAIA), while Blake Brumbaugh has contributed 234 yards and two scores on just eight receptions.
Linebacker Brock Thomason anchors the defense with 40 total tackles (10^th in NAIA) and three tackles for loss. Safety Vincie Solano adds 33 tackles, two interceptions, and one pass breakup. Cornerback Da'Veon Turner has locked down opposing receivers with a team-high 5 pass breakups. Quintin Walker has a team-best 2.5 sacks, and Anthony Cheesebourough leads the defense with 4 tackles for loss.
Kicker Josh Clifton has gone 3-for-4 on field goals with a long of 33, while converting 24 of 26 PATs (5^th in NAIA) for a team-high 33 points (8^th in NAIA).
Punter Jack Doty averages 40.4 yards per punt with a long of 51.
Leo Morrow has returned six kickoffs for 136 yards and nine punts for 124 yards.

USF TEAM STATS

The Saints (2-2) bring a balanced offensive attack to Marion, averaging 223.5 passing yards and 201.8 rushing yards per game (13^th in NAIA).
Quarterback Nathan Maul is a deep threat through the air, averaging 15.4 yards per completion (12^th in NAIA), while a deep running back rotation has produced 10 touchdowns on the ground (16^th in NAIA).
Defensively, USF has generated 25 tackles for loss and forced 11 turnovers in four contests.

SAINTS LEADERS | 2025 SEASON STATS

Quarterback Nathan Maul has completed 56 of 104 passes (53.8%) for 874 yards, nine touchdowns (19^th in NAIA), and three interceptions, averaging 218.5 yards per game.
Running back Aaron Larkins leads the rushing attack with 190 yards and one touchdown, averaging 6.8 yards per carry. Gavin Day adds 151 yards and two touchdowns, while Carl Bew has 153 rushing yards and two scores.
Wide receiver Ryan Little is the top target with 16 catches for 320 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 20 yards per catch (15^th in NAIA). Tight End Jake Friddle has 216 yards and three touchdowns, while Connor Engstrom has 194 yards and a team-high four receiving scores (18^th in NAIA).
Linebacker Karsen Hansen leads the Saints with 32 total tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks. Linebacker Nick Franciskovich has 30 tackles, one interception, and five pass breakups. Safety Michael Hackman has recorded 18 tackles, four interceptions (2^nd in NAIA), and four pass breakups.
Kicker Adrian Guerrero is 3-for-4 on field goals with a long of 42 and has converted all 18 PATs for a team-high 27 points (21^st in NAIA). Guerrero also handles punting, averaging 34.9 yards per punt with a long of 48.
Carl Bew has returned seven kickoffs for 227 yards and one touchdown, including a 100-yard score. Connor Engstrom has returned seven punt returns for 84 yards with a long of 37.

UP NEXT

The Wildcats have their bye week next Saturday, but are back on the road on October 18 as they travel to Michigan to play Madonna University at 12:00PM.
Live video and stats will be available on IWUWildcats.com.

FOLLOW THE WILDCATS