MARION, Ind. – No. 13 Indiana Wesleyan celebrated Senior Day with a 49–3 victory over Lawrence Tech at Wildcat Stadium to remain unbeaten in MSFA Mideast play. The Wildcats dominated offensively, accumulating 546 total yards and securing seven touchdowns. The team's rushing attack was particularly effective, with four touchdowns and a long run of 67 yards on their first offensive play. IWU's defense excelled, holding LTU to merely 161 total yards and forcing four sacks. The special teams made game-changing plays with a blocked field goal and a blocked punt returned for a touchdown.
Senior wide receiver Isaac Smith broke the program records for career receptions (201) and career touchdowns (33) on his first catch of the game, while tight end Simon Vinson set a new career high with 146 receiving yards in the win.
THE ESSENTIALS
- Location: Marion, Ind. | Wildcat Football Stadium
- Records: IWU: 8-2 (4-0 MSFA) | LTU: 2-7 (1-3 MSFA)
- NAIA Top-25 Ranking: IWU - #13 | LTU – Unranked
FIRST QUARTER
- Indiana Wesleyan took an early lead with a 67-yard touchdown by Cameron Morrison on their first offensive play of the game.
- The Blue Devils responded but were halted by a blocked field goal attempt by Da'Veon Turner at 08:54.
- Arjun Lothe connected with Simon Vinson for a 54-yard pass, but a missed 34-yard field goal by Josh Clifton would end the drive.
- The Wildcats ended the quarter ahead 7-0.
SECOND QUARTER
- LTU started the quarter strong with a 22-yard completion from Ryan Schuster to Santino Palazol, but their drive stalled at the 1-yard line following a key defensive goal stop by IWU.
- Indiana Wesleyan responded with a 99-yard drive, highlighted by a 28-yard touchdown pass from Lothe to Isaac Smith, taking a 14-0 lead. This catch helped Isaac Smith break the program records for career receptions and touchdowns on his first catch of the game. After today's game, he now has 201 receptions and 33 touchdowns.
- Another scoring drive by the red and grey included a 28-yard touchdown pass to Vinson, extending their lead to 21-0.
- A blocked punt by Deven Arevalo allowed Conner Woods to return it for a touchdown with 24 seconds left in the half, putting the Wildcats ahead 28-0 at halftime.
THIRD QUARTER
- Lothe connected with Drew Dutton for a 61-yard pass to set up a scoring opportunity, leading to Smith's 2-yard touchdown run at 11:37.
- Following a defensive stop, Moses Fullingim sparked a drive with a 38-yard rush, though a face mask penalty set the team back.
- Lothe then found Vinson for a 14-yard gain, followed by a 27-yard completion to Smith, culminating in a 2-yard touchdown run by Fullingim at 05:09.
- IWU took a commanding 42-0 lead into the final quarter.
FOURTH QUARTER
- Brock Thomason's sack on Schuster forced LTU into a field goal attempt, which Vincent Robison converted from 31 yards to open the scoring.
- The red and grey capitalized on a Blue Devils penalty, extending their drive and culminating in a 42-yard touchdown run by Fullingim at 11:01.
- A crucial penalty for defensive pass interference on LTU extended the Wildcats' drive late in the period.
- IWU maintained their lead, concluding the game with a 49-3 victory.
OFFENSIVE LEADERS
DEFENSIVE LEADERS
SPECIAL TEAMS STANDOUTS
TEAM COMPARISON
- Total Offense: IWU 546 yards (339 pass, 207 rush); LTU 161 yards (116 pass, 45 rush).
- First Downs: IWU 22; LTU 12.
- Sacks: IWU defense 4 sacks (33 yds); LTU recorded 0 sacks on IWU.
- Penalties: IWU 7 for 66 yards; LTU 7 for 66 yards.
- Time of Possession: IWU 27:04; LTU 32:56.
INTO THE RECORD BOOKS
- Isaac Smith
- Broke the career receiving receptions and receiving touchdowns record. He now has 201 receptions and 33 receiving touchdowns.
UP NEXT
- IWU closes out the regular season on the road at Siena Heights on November 15.
- A win will secure the fourth-straight MSFA Mideast championship.
FOLLOW THE WILDCATS
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