BLOOMINGTON, Ill - For the first time in 322 days, the Illinois Wesleyan University football team will make its return to Tucci Stadium Saturday, Sept. 28. The Titans will welcome Carthage College to Bloomington for a College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin clash. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
Illinois Wesleyan enters its home opener off its first win of the season, a 55-7 blowout of Elmhurst University, Sept. 21. The win boosted IWU's record to 1-1 on the year and 1-0 in league play. Carthage, which has played one of the toughest schedules in the country thus far, is 0-2 on the season and 0-1 in the CCIW. The Firebirds most recently dropped their conference opener, 63-0, to No. 1 ranked North Central, Sept. 21. Carthage's other loss came at nationally-ranked Saint John's, Sept. 7.
Fans can tune into a live stream of the game 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.
TUCCI UPGRADES: Fans attending Saturday's game will notice brand new scoreboards and a videobard at Tucci Stadium. The videoboard, which will improve the gameday experience of fans and student-athletes, was made possible through gifts from Byron Tucci, Bill and Merikay Gilmore, Rod Adams and family, Larry "Tich" Andretich, Chris Bisaillon and family, Jason Caliento and family, Lon Erickson and family, Bill Havle and family, Nate and Jennifer Hilding, Deon Hornsby and family, Will Jenkins, Keith Klockenga and family, Rich Kozlowski and family, Mark Nardi, Erik Nelson, the Nugent family, Jason Richards and family, DJ Rossini and family, the Monken, Lieser, and Wallace families, and Marc Talluto and family.
FACING THE FIREBIRDS: The Titans have faced the Firebirds 65 times ahead of Saturday's showdown inside Tucci. The series, which began in 1926, has seen IWU compile a 46-19 edge against Carthage all-time since winning the initial meeting, 6-0.
Illinois Wesleyan has won 12 of the past 14 meetings, including a 34-7 triumph in Kenosha Oct. 21, 2023. Dermot Smyth threw for 274 yards and a career-high four touchdown passes in the win. Myles Kee hauled in two TDs and led the team with 139 yards receiving, while Kevin Graham caught two scores and Jay Lemenager ran for another in the victory. Jimmy Capecci and Frank Roti each tallied interceptions, while Arthur Chatt made a team-best 12 tackles.
HOME SWEET HOME: The Titans are 126-54 (.700) at home since Norm Eash became head coach in 1987. IWU has won 25 of its past 35 home games dating back to the 2016 season.
DEUCE GOT LOOSE: A high-powered offense saw sophomore quarterback Dermot Smyth haul in CCIW Offensive Player of the Week honors for the first time in his career, Sept. 23. Smyth is the first Titan to receive the conference's offensive award since Anthony Marre did so Nov. 1, 2021. Additionally, Smyth is the first IWU QB to garner the award since Johnny Dicanio did so Nov. 4, 2019.
In a 55-7 blowout, Smyth played a role in five touchdowns. He completed 13-of-22 passes for 115 yards and two TDs, while rushing for three scores and 101 yards. Smyth's 101 yards rushing are the third-most by a player in the CCIW this season, while his trio of rushing touchdowns are tied for most in the league.
MAKE IT A PERFECT 10: With its dominant win at Langhorst Field, Sept. 21, Illinois Wesleyan recorded its 10th consecutive win over the Bluejays. The streak stands as IWU's longest current win streak against a conference opponent.
DENIED!: With Elmhurst driving and on the verge of cracking the scoreboard, sophomore Matt Hansen blocked a Bluejay field goal attempt to keep EU scoreless. The block field goal marked the first by a Titan since Frank Roti did so in IWU's 2022 season opener against Ohio Wesleyan Sept. 10.
CAN'T CATCH 'EM: Junior captain Jahari Scott ripped off two big plays in IWU's win over Elmhurst, Sept. 21. On IWU's first play from scrimmage, Scott busted through a hole and shook off a few Bluejays before finding the endzone on a 61-yard scamper. The run was IWU's longest rushing play since Anthony Marre's 91-yard run Oct. 30, 2021 against North Park. It is tied for the third-longest rush in the CCIW this season.
That was just the beginning for Scott, who later returned a kick 88 yards before being pushed out at the Elmhurst two-yard line. The return stands as the longest in the CCIW by more than 30 yards.
THE DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES: Illinois Wesleyan has seen significant improvements in ball security and its ability to force opponents into turning the ball over. Through the first two games of the 2023 season, IWU had turned the ball over seven times (4 interceptions and 3 fumbles) and forced no miscues. Meanwhile, this season has seen the Green and White lose the ball just once (fumble) and forced five turnovers (three interceptions and two fumbles).
Nationally, Illinois Wesleyan is ranked 13th in turnover margin at 2.00 - the best mark in the CCIW. Additionally, the Titans' one turnover lost is tied for sixth-best in Division III.
MAKING THEM WORK: The Titan defense has made its opponents work hard for points this season, especially in the red zone. In fact, IWU has the 14th-best red zone defense in all of Division III as the Titans are only allowing opponents to score on 50 percent of their trips inside the IWU 25.
WITH A WIN...: The Titans would improve to 2-1 with a win over Carthage Saturday, marking the Green and White's best start to the season since 2018. That year, IWU dropped its opener to UW-La Crosse, 34-31, before taking down Wheaton (24-14) and Augustana (41-24). The Titans finished that season with an 8-2 record, including a 7-1 CCIW mark, to earn a share of the conference title.
THAT'S A FIRST: Week two saw Danny Kent, Jimmy Deacy, and Malik Gray all score the first touchdowns of their collegiate careers. Kent and Gray each scored on one-yard runs, while Deacy's came on a seven-yard TD pass from Dermot Smyth.
ON THE HORIZON: Illinois Wesleyan remains at home next weekend, Oct. 5, for a Homecoming date with WashU at Tucci Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m.
