Box Score

WHEATON, Ill. - Despite several chances to score, the Illinois Wesleyan football team managed just one fourth quarter touchdown and lost 13-7 to the No. 10-ranked Wheaton Thunder at Wheaton's McCully Field on Saturday, Nov. 8.

Illinois Wesleyan lost its fourth straight game and slipped to 3-6 overall and 1-5 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin while Wheaton improved to 9-0 overall and 6-0 in the league.

The Thunder, No. 10 in this week's American Football Coaches Association Division III poll, secured at least a share of the CCIW championship and the league's automatic bid into the NCAA Division III playoffs.

The Titans trailed 13-0 at halftime but in the first 30 minutes of play, IWU got inside the Wheaton 20-yard line and had three opportunities to score. IWU lost one opportunity on downs and junior kicker Michael Kelley missed field goals from 29 and 28 yards. The Titans had 223 first half yards to 227 for the Thunder but were also hurt by four penalties for 57 yards.

The Titans finally scored with 10:54 to play in the game when freshman quarterback Jack Warner escaped a sack and found junior wide receiver Andrew Javorka on a 3-yard touchdown pass on a fourth-and-3 play. Kelley's kick made the score 13-7 after the 12-play, 80-yard drive.

The Titans finished with 349 yards of total offense (in 64 plays) compared to 400 for Wheaton (74 plays).

Warner was 13 of 30 for 182 yards and also rushed for 44 yards on 19 carries. Warner was sacked five times. Sophomore running back Austin Harrell led the Titans with 115 yards rushing on 13 carries. Junior Artie Checchin made seven catches for 115 yards and Harrell had three grabs for 42 yards.

Junior defensive back Kevin Slawkowski led IWU with 14 total tackles (seven solo) and sophomore linebacker Sean Garvey had 13 total stops (eight solo) with two pass breakups. Sophomore linebacker Luke Roth had 11 tackles (seven solo).

Wheaton quarterback Johnny Peltz completed 22 of 34 passes for 228 yards and rushed for a team-high 69 yards on 18 carries.

What's Next?
Illinois Wesleyan closes its season with "Seniors' Day" next Saturday (Nov. 15) at 1 p.m. vs. North Park at Tucci Stadium. The Vikings (2-7 overall, 2-4 CCIW) were 36-14 winners over Carthage on Nov. 8