WAUKESHA, Wis. - A field goal as time expired hooked right as the Illinois Wesleyan University football team came up short in its College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin opener at Carroll University Saturday, Sept. 18. The Titans fell to 0-2, 0-1 in league play with the setback, while the Pioneers moved to 2-0 on the season and 1-0 in the CCIW.

IWU led for nearly the first 45 minutes before Carroll took its first lead of the game on a field goal with 2:42 to go in the third quarter, a drive that was setup by an IWU fumble. 

The Titans stormed back with a nine-play, 81-yard scoring drive, which was capped by the first touchdown reception in the career of senior Zack Tencza (Frankfort, Ill.-Lincoln-Way East). After finding Tencza for the 27-yard strike, sophomore quarterback Sage Shindler (Chicago, Ill.-Walter Payton) connected with sophomore wide receiver Charlie Hamilton (Springfield, Ill.-Sacred Heart-Griffin) on the two-point conversion to put IWU up 33-27 with just under 13 minutes to play.

The Pioneers reclaimed the lead on an eight-play, 67-yard drive. Taking just 2:24 off the clock, Carroll's Michael Johnson completed a 27-yard toss to Austin Eichstaedt to cut Illinois Wesleyan's lead to tie the score at 33. A made point after by Jacob Laurent put Carroll on top 34-33.

Trailing by one, the Green and White began its drive at its own 27. The Titans quickly moved into Pioneer territory thanks to several runs by senior Hamid Bullie (Chicago, Ill.-Loyola Academy) and key catches from Hamilton, Bullie, and senior Wesley Watson (Carmel, Ind.-Carmel). After a 10-yard grab by Bullie set up the Titans at the Pioneer 12-yard line, IWU's game-winning field goal attempt missed right. 

Tencza and Bullie turned in career days on the offensive side of the ball for the Titans. Tencza hauled in six catches for 85 yards and a TD, all of which were career-highs. Bullie led the IWU rushing attack with a career-high 186 yards on 25 carries. He also added his fifth career touchdown, as he found the endzone on a four-yard scamper. 

Sophomore Seth Albin (Midlothian, Ill.-Oak Forest) made the most of his six rushing attempts, going for 22 yards and the first two official touchdowns of his career. 

Shindler completed 18-of-23 passes for 230 yards and two TDs, including a 31-yard strike to Hamilton. Overall, IWU finished with 464 yards of total offense. It was a balanced effort as the Titans finished with 230 through the air and 234 on the ground. Meanwhile, the Pioneers accumulated 451 yards of offense, including 365 in the passing game. 

Senior Nicholas DeGregorio (Mokena, Ill.-Lincoln-Way Central) recorded a team-best eight tackles. Juniors Fernando Chavez (Plainfield, Ill.-Joliet Catholic) and James Porter (Chicago, Ill.-Marist) added seven stops apiece, with Chavez adding 1.5 tackles for loss. 

Illinois Wesleyan returns to Wisconsin next Saturday, Sept. 25, for a clash with Carthage College. Kickoff between the Titans and Firebirds is scheduled for 1 p.m.