BLOOMINGTON, Ill - The Illinois Wesleyan University football team returns to the gridiron for the first time in 490 days Saturday, March 20, for a matchup against Millikin University. The game will be the first of IWU's four-game spring schedule. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
Links on how to follow along can be found on the football schedule page of IWUsports.com.
MEETINGS WITH MILLIKIN: Illinois Wesleyan and Millikin's 112-game history dates back to 1904. Millikin holds a slim edge 54-51-7 all-time, but IWU has dominated the series as of late. In fact, the Titans hold a 10-game win streak and have won 13 of the last 15 matchups.
Last season, the Titans overcame a five-point halftime deficit with a 33-point second half to overpower the Big Blue, 40-12. IWU racked up 449 yards of total offense, including 309 in the air, as Johnny Dicanio threw for 300 and ran for 68 yards and a TD in the win. Defensively, Illinois Wesleyan recorded nine tackles for loss and four sacks, led by Mike Murphy's three-sack performance. Jake Kapp, Keenan Scott, Nico Gubenko, and Zach Mitchell all hauled in interceptions.
MONSTER IN THE BACKFIELD: Senior defensive end Mike Murphy enters the season following a record-setting 2019 campaign. For his career, Murphy's 20.5 sacks are second-most on the Division III active list. His 16.0 QB takedowns in 2019 were the most in all of Division III, while his 1.60 sacks per game were the most among FBS, FCS, and Division II.
Murphy was named to the D3football.com Preseason All-America First Team back in September. He was one of 11 CCIW players to earn a selection, and the first Titan to do so since Trevor Staley did in 2018. Overall, he is just the third IWU player to be recognized on the D3football.com preseason team since 2005.
IN THE TRENCHES: Illinois Wesleyan returns nearly its entire offensive line from a season ago, including co-captains Jake Buhe and Michael Norwood. IWU also returns AJ Lust, Chris Wojciak, and Jacob Finfer. Collectively, the group has made 42 career starts.
LEADING THE WAY: The Titans will be led by captains Jake Buhe, Liam Krammer, Mike Murphy, Michael Norwood, and Emmett Zima this season. The captains are voted by the team. A tradition that typically takes place near the end of "Spring Ball," was held via virtual meetings this past summer due to COVID-19.
200-WIN CLUB: Thirty three-year veteran Norm Eash is one of just nine coaches nationally in NCAA Division III with 200-or-more career wins. Eash, who has won 214 games as the head man at his alma mater, ranks tied for fifth in the country among active head coaches.
Redlands Head Coach and 1980 Illinois Wesleyan alumnus Mike Maynard joined Eash in the 200-win club with a 27-19 victory over Linfield, Sept. 21, 2019.
YEAR 128: In its 128th season, IWU has an overall 1,058-game record of 599-417-42 (.586) winning percentage). Of the 1,058 games, head coach Norm Eash has been involved in 360 of them (324 as a coach, 36 as a player from 1971-74).
Illinois Wesleyan's 35-27 win at Albion on Sept. 13, 2014 was the 1,000th game in Illinois Wesleyan football history.
SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE: Illinois Wesleyan will play a four-game schedule this spring, beginning with Saturday's clash at Millikin. IWU will then travel to Augustana for a 1 p.m. kickoff, March 27. The Titans will host North Park in the lone home game on the schedule, April 10. Kickoff is slated for 6:30 p.m. The season comes to a close April 16 with an exhibition game at Elmhurst.
