Box Score Box Score

ALMA, Mich. - Senior wide receiver Chris Messina caught four touchdown passes and the Illinois Wesleyan defense allowed only 160 total yards in a 43-7 win at Alma (Mich.) College on Sept. 12.

The Titans scored the first 27 points of the game, starting with a 12-yard pass from Kraig Ladd to Messina with 6:36 to play in the first quarter. Michael Fenger added the extra point. The Titans went ahead, 13-0 when Ladd found Jack Scalcucci on a 23-yard TD pass with 2:25 to play in the first quarter.

Messina's second touchdown came on a 9-yard pass from Ladd with 14:30 to play in the first half. Fenger's kick gave IWU a 20-0 edge. Messina and Ladd paired up again with 7:41 before intermission on a 4-yard pass play and Fenger added the PAT to make the score 27-0.

Alma's only score came with one second to play in the half on a 4-yard pass from Mac McGrady to Tyler Wise to cap an 11 play, 56 yard drive. 

With 9:44 to play in the third quarter, #P.J. Cummings# returned a blocked punt for a touchdown to get the score to 34-7 and Messina caught his fourth TD of the day with 3:48 left in the third from 5 yards out. Fenger missed the extra point kick but finished the scoring with 14:13 to play in the game when he kicked a 23 yard field goal.

In the game Messina had nine catches for 67 yards and Scalcucci had six grabs for 87 yards. Ladd completed 18 of 22 passes (.681) for 199 yards and five scores and Brien Rooney was 9 of 13 for 69 yards. Rooney was the team's top rusher with 97 yards on 12 carries and Eli Williams had 41 yards on 17 carries.

Defensively the Titans allowed -15 yards rushing in the game and only 175 passing yards. Ryan Gresko had two quarterback sacks while Ryan Jenkins and Nick Nikolich each had one and Mike Kotz and Andrew Boyd combined for a sack.

Roman Hunter had a team-high seven tackles while Nikolich, Gresko and Bret Swango each had five total tackles. In addition to returning the blocked punt for a score, Cummings also made two interceptions for the Titans.

The Titans (2-0) host Aurora at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19 on McLean County Appreciation Day.