BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - A dominating defensive effort fueled the Illinois Wesleyan University football team to a 14-0 shutout victory over Millikin University in College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin play Saturday, Oct. 16, at Tucci Stadium. With the win, IWU boosted its record to 2-4 overall and 2-3 in the CCIW. Millikin dipped to 2-4 on the year and 2-3 in league games.

The shutout marked the first for the Titans under first-year defensive coordinator Matt Williamson, while it was IWU's first since shutting out Augustana March 27, 2021. Additionally, it was the first time IWU has shutout Millikin since 2008.

After a scoreless first quarter, Illinois Wesleyan put together a pair of touchdown drives in the second period. Sophomore Seth Albin (Midlothian, Ill.-Oak Forest) opened the scoring with a 20-yard touchdown run, capping a seven-play, 61-yard drive to put IWU in front 7-0. 

With the Big Blue nearing the red zone, freshman Michael Alvarado (Plainfield, Ill.-Providence Catholic) picked off Cal Pohrte's pass to thwart Millikin's drive and set up Illinois Wesleyan with first-and-10 near midfield. Senior Hamid Bullie (Chicago, Ill.-Loyola Academy) and junior Charlie Hamilton (Springfield, Ill.-Sacred Heart-Griffin) came up with 18-yard plays to get IWU into the red zone before sophomore Sage Shindler (Chicago, Ill.-Walter Payton) connected with senior Zack Tencza (Frankfort, Ill.-Lincoln-Way East) for a nine-yard touchdown catch. With Tencza's third TD of the season, the Green and White doubled its lead to 14-0 into halftime.

In the second half, Illinois Wesleyan's defense continued to stymie Millikin as the Titans snagged a pair of interceptions, forced a fumble, and turned the Big Blue over on downs three times. Freshman Frank Roti (Orland Hills, Ill.-Andrew) sealed the shutout with the first interception of his career as Illinois Wesleyan blanked the Big Blue, 14-0.

Defensively, IWU limited Millikin to 324 yards of offense. The Titans held the Big Blue to 3-of-10 on third down and 0-for-3 on fourth down. Illinois Wesleyan was led by junior Conor Murphy's (Aurora, Ill.-Metea Valley) seven tackles. Murphy also recorded a strip sack and a pair of quarterback hurries. Freshman Sam Schott (West Lafayette, Ind.-West Lafayette) and senior Skyler Metzger (Northbrook, Ill.-Glenbrook North) added six stops apiece, while senior Nicholas DeGregorio (Mokena, Ill.-Lincoln-Way Central) tallied three tackles, a sack, and a fumble recovery. Senior Tyler Maple (Plainfield, Ind.-Plainfield) recorded dive tackles and a pair of breakups while defending Millikin's top wide receiver.

The Green and White finished with 333 yards of total offense, going for 126 on the ground and 207 through the air. Shindler finished the day 23-for-31 with a touchdown as he connected with six different receivers. Hamilton was his top target, as the wideout made a team-high seven catches for 104 yards. Bullie paced the run game with 24 carries for 92 yards, while Albin finished with 29 yards on four attempts, including a TD.

The Titans head to Naperville, Ill. Saturday, Oct. 23, for a clash with No. 1 ranked North Central College. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.