Indiana Wesleyan University

JOLIET, Ill. - No. 9 Indiana Wesleyan Football put together its most complete performance of the young season, piling up 694 yards of total offense in a 58-6 rout of the University of St. Francis (Ill.) at Joliet Memorial Stadium. The Wildcats scored on eight of their first nine possessions, got touchdowns from six different players, and rotated three quarterbacks into the mix as the game got out of hand early.

THE ESSENTIALS

• Location: Joliet, Ill. | Joliet Memorial Stadium
• Records: IWU: 2-0 | USF: 0-2
• NAIA Top-25 Ranking: IWU: No. 9 | USF: Unranked

• IWU's opening drive featured a 33-yard Arjun Lothe-to-Drew Dutton completion, and Ryan Whitwell capped it with a 15-yard touchdown run to make it 7-0.
• On IWU's second possession, a 4th-and-2 conversion by Ryan Whitwell kept the drive alive, though the Wildcats ultimately punted.
• The Saints' next drive ended when Terry Sylvester forced a fumble on Ryan Yurisich that Chase Crabtree recovered at the IWU 41.
• IWU capitalized behind a 15-yard Lothe-to-Luke Munoz completion, finishing the drive with a 27-yard Lothe-to-Simon Vinson touchdown pass to make it 14-0.
• The Wildcats struck again before the quarter ended on a trick play, as Ryan Whitwell threw a 36-yard touchdown pass to Casey Hawkins, and IWU led 21-0 after one.

• Arjun Lothe was sacked for a 6-yard loss on IWU's opening drive of the quarter, which ended in a punt.
• IWU's defense answered with a sack of its own, as Arlondo Sheets dropped Jonny Sorensen for a 3-yard loss on the ensuing Saints possession.
• Ryan Whitwell broke off a 41-yard touchdown run on IWU's very next play from scrimmage, pushing the lead to 27-0.
• A 17-yard Lothe-to-Grant Irwin completion set up Dede Person's 16-yard touchdown run, extending the margin to 34-0.
• St. Francis closed a drive with a 24-yard Aaron Larkins run to reach midfield, but time expired before the Saints could threaten.
• IWU's final drive of the half featured a 19-yard Ayden Ewing run and a 20-yard Lothe-to-Munoz completion, and Josh Clifton capped it with a 36-yard field goal as time expired in the half, making it 38-0 at the break.

• IWU opened the second half with a methodical drive, capped by three straight completions to Casey Hawkins covering 13, 9, and 20 yards, before Dede Person punched it in from 8 yards out to make it 44-0.
• St. Francis's ensuing possession ended when Wilson Webster intercepted a Jonny Sorensen pass at the Saints' 35-yard line.
• IWU's next drive stalled when Brock Short fumbled after a 15-yard gain, recovered by St. Francis's Agsan Branch.
• The Wildcats' defense forced another quick punt, and IWU responded with a scoring drive of its own, a 19-yard Ayden Ewing touchdown run making it 51-0.
• St. Francis drove into IWU territory late in the quarter behind completions of 29 and 38 yards from Nathan Maul, but a missed 28-yard field goal by Adrian Guerrero kept the Wildcats' shutout intact through three quarters, 51-0.

• Zach Dutton engineered a late scoring drive that included a 29-yard completion to Drew Dutton and a 15-yard run from Chris Del Valle, finishing with a 19-yard touchdown pass to Luke Munoz to make it 58-0. The extra point attempt failed.
• St. Francis answered on the ensuing drive, capped by a 44-yard touchdown pass from Jalen Webb-Starkey to Jaden Boe, avoiding the shutout at 58-6. The extra point attempt failed.
• IWU's final possession ended on a Chris Del Valle fumble, recovered by the Saints at their own 45, but Indiana Wesleyan's defense closed out the game to preserve the 58-6 final.

• Arjun Lothe: 20-for-31, 230 yards, 1 TD
• Ryan Whitwell: 14 carries, 141 yards, 2 rushing TD; 1-for-1 passing, 36 yards, 1 TD; 3 receptions, 10 yards
• Dede Person: 7 carries, 60 yards, 2 TD
• Ayden Ewing: 11 carries, 63 yards, 1 TD
• Casey Hawkins: 8 receptions, 114 yards, 1 TD
• Drew Dutton: 6 receptions, 82 yards
• Luke Munoz: 6 receptions, 75 yards, 1 TD

• AJ Schafer: 8 tackles, 1 TFL
• Wilson Webster: 3 tackles, 1 interception
• Terry Sylvester: 3 tackles, 1 forced fumble
• Arlondo Sheets: 2 tackles, 1 sack (3 yards)
• Chase Crabtree: 1 tackle, 1 fumble recovery

• Josh Clifton: 7-for-8 PATs, 1-for-1 FG (36 yards); 10 kickoffs, 621 yards, 5 touchbacks
• Leo Morrow: 4 punt returns, 45 yards
• Noah Berdiner: 4 punts, 34.5 average

• Total Offense: IWU 694 yards (349 rush, 345 pass); USF 346 yards (137 rush, 209 pass)
• First Downs: IWU 36; USF 15
• Turnovers: IWU 2 (fumbles); USF 1 (INT)
• Sacks: IWU 1 (3 yards) on USF; USF 1 (6 yards) on IWU
• Penalties: IWU 9 for 85 yards; USF 3 for 22 yards
• Time of Possession: IWU 30:30; USF 29:30

• IWU returns to Wildcat Stadium next Saturday, September 12 to take on Saint-Mary-of-the-Woods under the lights at 6:00 p.m.
• Links for Tickets, live video and stats are available on IWUWildcats.com.

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