BLOOMINGTON, Ill - The Illinois Wesleyan University football team returns to Tucci Stadium this Saturday, Sept. 24, for a Homecoming date with Carroll University. Kickoff between the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin battle is slated for 1 p.m.
Illinois Wesleyan welcomes the Pios to Tucci looking to get back on track. The Titans sit at 1-1 on the year and 0-1 in CCIW play following a loss at Wheaton, Sept. 17. Meanwhile, Carroll (2-0, 1-0 CCIW) is looking for its first loss of the season. Most recently, CU defeated North Park, 54-0, in a league game at home, Sept. 17.
Fans can tune into a video broadcast with Eric Stock calling the action on the field alongside Joel Swanson, while live stats will also be available for the contest. Links can be found on the football schedule page of iwusports.com.
PLAYING THE PIONEERS: The Titans and Pioneers have squared off on the gridiron 45 times since the series began in 1935. Illinois Wesleyan heads into Saturday's showdown with a 27-18 lead in the all-time series and winners of six of the last seven against Carroll. The series, which began with a 12-6 IWU win in 1935, took place each season from 1955 to 1991. Following a 25-year hiatus the series picked back up when Carroll rejoined the CCIW in 2016.
Most recently, Carroll outlasted Illinois Wesleyan, 34-33, in Waukesha, Wis., Sept. 18, 2021. The Pioneers outscored the Titans 27-14 in the final three quarters to upend Illinois Wesleyan on the road.
KEES TO THE GAME: Coming off a career game against Wheaton last Saturday, Myles Kee is set to be a key piece to the Titan offense again this week. The sophomore wide receiver recorded a game-high 12 catches and a career-high 168 yards. His 12 catches are the most receptions by a Titan since Zach Walsh recorded 13 receptions on senior day in 2018 against North Central.
Additionally, Kee leads the CCIW in receptions (19) and reception yards (227). On the national stage, Kee ranks fifth in NCAA Division III with 9.5 receptions per game.
TITANS IN SEPTEMBER: The Titans are 72-27-1 (.753) in the Norm Eash coaching era in the month of September. The Titans had a 22-game September winning streak ended with the loss at Simpson in 2014. The last loss before that was on Sept. 15, 2007 to Mt. St. Joseph. IWU won 11 straight September games from 1995 (loss at Simpson) until 2001 (loss to WashU).
SILVER LININGS: Despite gaining an early lead on Saturday night, Wheaton's offense was shutdown and shutout in the second half by the Titans' defense. In two games this season, the Green and White have only allowed two touchdowns in the second half, and have allowed no points in the third quarter.
PIOS DEFENSE: Illinois Wesleyan's offense will look to exploit the league's top defense Saturday, when IWU squares off with CU. Carroll's defense ranks first in the CCIW through two games this season, as the Pioneers have allowed only one touchdown all season. The Pios defeated Wisconsin Lutheran in their first game of the season, 54-7. In Carroll's CCIW opener last Saturday, the Pios shutout North Park, 42-0.
HOMECOMING HAPPENINGS: In the last 56 years, Illinois Wesleyan has compiled a 36-20 record in its Homecoming games. The Titans have come out victorious in each of their past three Homecoming matchups, most recently against Elmhurst last season in commanding fashion, 52-3. The last time IWU faced Carroll for the Homecoming game was in 2019 when the Titans defeated the Pios, 42-14.
WINNING TRADITION: Veteran head coach Norm Eash is one of just three active coaches nationally in NCAA Division III with 200-or-more career wins. Eash, who has won 220 games as the head man at his alma mater, ranks third in the country among active head coaches.
HOME COOKING: The Titans are 121-49 (.712) at home since Norm Eash became head coach in 1987. IWU has won 20 of its past 25 home games dating back to the 2016 season. In fact, Illinois Wesleyan has posted a winning record at home in each of the past five seasons dating back to the 2017 campaign.
LONGEVITY IN LEADERSHIP: Illinois Wesleyan Head Coach Norm Eash is one of the longest tenured head coaches in all of Division III. Now in his 36th season at the helm of the Titans, Eash is the second-longest tenured head coach in the nation behind only Rick Giancola (Montclair St. - 40 seasons).
ON THE HORIZON: The Titans remain home next weekend, Saturday, Oct. 1, for an afternoon date with Millikin. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Tucci Stadium.
