MARION, Ind. – No. 11 Indiana Wesleyan defeated Siena Heights 47-16 on Saturday at O'Laughlin Stadium in the final game of the regular season. With this victory, IWU secures the outright MSFA Mideast Championship with an undefeated 5-0 record, earning the program's fourth-straight conference title and an automatic bid to the NAIA Football Championship Series!
The Wildcats capitalized on a strong offensive performance, accumulating 482 total yards. The team dominated the ground game with three rushing touchdowns and added two more through the air. The defense also contributed significantly, recording six sacks and intercepting two passes, one of which was returned for a touchdown.
THE ESSENTIALS
- Location: Adrian, Mich. | O'Laughlin Stadium
- Records: IWU: 9-2 (5-0 MSFA) | SHU: 5-5 (3-2 MSFA)
- NAIA Top-25 Ranking: IWU - #11 | SHU – Unranked
FIRST QUARTER
- The red and grey's defense set the tone early, with Antonio White sacking Braylen Himmele for an 11-yard loss, leading to an SHU punt.
- Arjun Lothe connected with Isaac Smith on a 40-yard pass, propelling a drive that culminated in a 21-yard field goal by Josh Clifton with 4:27 remaining.
- Himmele found Credell Prather for a significant 38-yard gain, but a 10-yard sack later on 4th down by Anthony Cheesebourough stalled the drive.
- The Wildcats ended the quarter with a narrow 3–0 lead.
SECOND QUARTER
- IWU's drive was halted when Simon Vinson fumbled at the Saints' 17-yard line, recovered by Siena Heights.
- Moses Fullingim capped a methodical 12-play, 80-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run, extending the Wildcats' lead to 10-0.
- Himmele connected with Tendaji Alexand on 10-yard touchdown pass, narrowing the gap for SHU to 10-7 with 3:00 remaining in the half.
- The Wildcat's answered back once again with a 67-yard drive, capped off by a Lothe to Drew Dutton touchdown to make it 17-7.
- SHU quickly marched down the field, and a Carter Ball 38-yard field goal with 6 seconds left reduced their deficit to 24–17 at halftime.
THIRD QUARTER
- The red and grey opened the period with a 12-play drive resulting in a 21-yard field goal by Josh Clifton, extending their lead to 20-10.
- SHU recorded a 3-and-out on the following drive as Brock Thomason got free for a sack.
- Isaac Smith scored for the first time on a 4-yard touchdown catch from Lothe, making it a three-score game at 27-10.
- Da'Veon Turner intercepted Himmele's pass and returned it 41 yards for a touchdown; the second pick-six for the Wildcats this season.
- SHU responded with a long 13-play, 75-yard drive, capped by Brendan Haisenl's 1-yard touchdown rush with 01:23 remaining, closing the quarter at 34-16.
FOURTH QUARTER
- Garrett Hathaway's sack on Himmele forced a fumble, recovered by Quintin Walker, shifting possession to Indiana Wesleyan at their own 25-yard line.
- Fullingim's consistent rushing gains, including a 12-yard and 7-yard rush, capped by a 2-yard touchdown run at 11:21, extended the Wildcats' lead.
- Vincie Solano intercepted Himmele's pass at Indiana Wesleyan's 25-yard line, halting the Saints' drive. He has totaled six interceptions this season, tying the second-most in an IWU season
- A combination of effective rushing by Fullingim and Brock Short, alongside a 3-yard touchdown by Fullingim with 5:00 left, solidified Indiana Wesleyan's control.
- The Wildcats took a 47-16 victory as the game concluded.
OFFENSIVE LEADERS
DEFENSIVE LEADERS
SPECIAL TEAMS STANDOUTS
- Josh Clifton: 5-for-6 PAT's, 2-2 FG's (both 21 yards), 9 kickoffs for 565 yards (5 touchbacks)
TEAM COMPARISON
- Total Offense: IWU 482 yards (269 pass, 213 rush); SHU 258 yards (211 pass, 47 rush).
- First Downs: IWU 33; SHU 17.
- Sacks: IWU defense 6 sacks (50 yds); SHU recorded 0 sacks on IWU.
- Penalties: IWU 6 for 74 yards; SHU 5 for 55 yards.
- Time of Possession: IWU 34:09; SHU 25:51.
UP NEXT
- The Wildcats will learn their postseason future during the NAIA Selection Show on Sunday evening at 7:00PM ET.
- Fans can watch the Selection Show by clicking HERE.
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