BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - A stout defensive effort propelled the Illinois Wesleyan University football team to a 35-0 shutout of Carthage College Saturday afternoon, Sept. 28, at Tucci Stadium. With the home-opening College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin win, the Titans (2-1, 1-0 CCIW) posted their first shutout since 2022 and are off to their best start since 2018. Meanwhile, the Firebirds fell to 0-3 overall and 0-2 in league play.

Illinois Wesleyan debuted its new state-of-the-art Nevco scoreboards and videoboards prior to the game. Titan athletics recognized and thanked 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 for making the uprgrades possible.

The dominating defensive showing was led by relentless effort in the Firebird backfield as the Titans totaled seven tackles for loss, six sacks, and six quarterback hurries. Seniors Zach McNees (Hillsboro, Mo.-Hillsboro) and Frank Roti (Orland Hills, Ill.-Andrew) led the way as McNees tallied a team-best three TFLs, all of which were sacks. Roti collected 11 tackles, eight of which were solo, and one behind the line of scrimmage that resulted in an 11-yard loss. Seniors Cole Pradel (Oswego, Ill.-Oswego) and Jimmy Capecci (Springfield, Ill.-Sacred Heart-Griffin) each hauled in interceptions.

The Titans mounted a 350-166 lead in total offense, as the Green and White rushed for 206 yards and threw for 144. IWU's defense stymied the Carthage run game, holding the visitor's to 32 rushing yards with just 134 passing yards.

On the offensive side of the ball, junior Danny Kent (Addison, Ill.-Fenwick) put together a career day. He doubled his previous career-high with 12 carries and added a career-best 103 yards with two touchdowns.

Sophomore quarterback Dermot Smyth (Chicago, Ill.-Marist) rushed for a score and threw for two more in an 11-for-21 showing. He finished with 144 passing yards and 39 rushing yards. Junior Collin Elledge (Bethalto, Ill.-Civic Memorial) was his top receiver with three catches for 59 yards and a touchdown, while senior Markus Marshall (Florissant, Mo.-Chaminade College Prep) also registered the first touchdown catch of his career in the victory.

Illinois Wesleyan drove 65 yards on five plays on the game's first offensive possession to take a 7-0 lead on Elledge's 41-yard touchdown reception. It marked his third straight game with a TD catch this season.

After sophomore Kaden Junge (Mattoon, Ill.-Mattoon) split the uprights on the PAT, the Titan defense forced the Firebirds into turning the ball over on downs. Carthage converted on fourth and short once, before McNees clobbered the Firebird quarterback on another fourth down attempt to give the ball back to the Titan offense in plus territory.

A tipped pass was picked off, thwarting IWU's opportunity to add to the scoreboard as the game entered the second period.

The Green and White defense did not waver however, getting a three-and-out to send the offense back out onto the field. Kent appeared to be wrapped up in a pile near the IWU 35-yard line, before bursting through for a 60-yard scamper. A desperation tackle kept Kent from the endzone, but only temporarily, as he ultimately punched it in from the one-yard line to double IWU's lead, 14-0, in halftime.

Pradel's interception and the ensuing 44-yard return in the third quarter put the Green and White offense back in the red zone just a few minutes into the second half. Gaining the ball at the Carthage 15-yard line, Smyth capped a five-play drive with a four-yard score, his fourth rushing TD of the season.

Following another three-and-out by the Firebirds, a completion and Carthage penalty gave IWU a fresh set of downs at the CC 21-yard line. Junior Jahari Scott (Lake Bluff, Ill.-Lake Forest) got nine yards on a first down run play before Kent punched it in for his second TD of the game to close the third quarter, 28-0.

Illinois Wesleyan finished off the scoring in the fourth quarter with a four-play, 18-yard drive setup by Capecci's pick. Going for it on fourth-and-six from the Carthage 14-yard line, Smyth delivered a dart to Marshall in the end zone for the first reception of his career to close out the victory.

The Titans remain at home next weekend, Oct. 5, for Homecoming against Washington University in St. Louis. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.