BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - The Illinois Wesleyan University football team returns to the friendly confines of Tucci Stadium Saturday, Oct. 11, for a Homecoming clash with 19th-ranked Wheaton College. Kickoff between the Titans and nationally-ranked Thunder is slated for 1 p.m.
    Both teams look to get back in the win column Saturday as both IWU and Wheaton own 2-2 overall records. The Titans are 2-1 in College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin play following a heartbreaking, 42-40, loss at WashU, Oct. 4. Meanwhile, the Thunder eye a bounce back from a 35-0 setback at No. 1 North Central College, Oct. 4. Wheaton's two losses this season have come to top-ranked NCC and No. 2 Mount Union.
    Fans can tune into a radio broadcast with Eric Stock calling the action on the field alongside Joel Swanson, while live stats and a broadcast will also be available. Links can be found on the football schedule page of iwusports.com.

ONSIDE ON OUR SIDE: Amid the Titans' comeback effort at WashU, Oct. 4, Lach Sullivan perfectly executed an onside kick that was ultimately recovered by IWU's GB Kruzick. It is the first successful onside kick by Illinois Wesleyan since accomplishing the feat at Augie Oct. 29, 2022.

AN EVEN DOZEN FOR 7: Will Nazha put together a career day in Illinois Wesleyan's setback at WashU, Oct. 4. The sophomore wideout hauled in 12 catches for 158 yards, both of which are not only career-highs for Nazha but also among the most by a Titan this season. Nazha's 12 catches are the most since Myles Kee caught 11 in a 139-yard receiving effort at Carthage Oct. 21, 2023. His 158 yards receiving are also the most for an IWU reciever since Kee matched the total against North Central Nov. 4, 2023.
    For the season, Nazha leads the conference and is 23rd nationally with 152.75 all-purpose yards per game. The Barrington, Ill. native leads the conference in receptions per game (7.75 - 16th nationally), receiving yards per game (109.8 - 22nd nationally), and total receiving yards (439 - 33rd nationally). He is second in the CCIW with four TDs.

TAKE IT TO THE HOUSE: Across Division III this season there have been 38 kickoffs returned for touchdowns - two of which have come by Titans. Will Nazha ran back a kick 90 yards in IWU's season opener against Central, Sept. 6, and Danny Kent took a kick 80 yards back to the house at WashU, Oct. 4. Overall, Illinois Wesleyan is one of three Division III institutions with multiple kickoff returns for touchdowns this season. The duo of Nazha and Kent join Dickinson's Keesean Campbell who leads the country with two this season as well as Berry's Zavion Plunkett and Sammy Kunczewski.

HOMECOMING HAPPENINGS: In the last 59 years, Illinois Wesleyan has compiled a 37-22 record in its Homecoming games. The Titans have come out victorious in four of their past six Homecoming matchups, most recently winning against Carroll in comeback fashion, 26-21, in 2022.
The weekend will see the Titans recognize members of the 1995 men's soccer team. Senior Associate Athletic Director Tony Bankston, who was the team's head coach, spoke about the history of the program on this week's edition of Titan Table Talk.
    Illinois Wesleyan will also pay tribute to former football coach Norm Eash along with the CCIW Championship teams from the 1965, 1980, and 2000 seasons.
The 2025 Alumni Award winners will be honored during the game. John Camardella '03 is this year's recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award, Carol Willis '68 will receive the Loyalty Award, and Natalie Lalgos '12 will be recognized with the Outstanding Young Alumni Award.

ALL-TIME TALLY WITH THE THUNDER: In a series dating back to 1922, Wheaton holds a 38-29-2 all-time advantage over the Green and White. The Titans last defeated the Thunder on Sept. 15, 2018 at Tucci Stadium, 24-14, while Wheaton has won the past five matchups.
    Last season, Wheaton doubled up IWU, 42-21, at McCully Stadium. A two-yard touchdown pass from Dermot Smyth to Myles Kee saw Illinois Wesleyan trail, 14-7, at halftime, but the Thunder tacked on 28 second-half points as the Titans faltered on the road.

RISING IN THE RANKINGS: Under the lead of defensive coordinator Mike Murray, the IWU defense is establishing itself as one of the best in the CCIW through four games. Illinois Wesleyan is ranked in the top-three in the conference in eight categories.

TITANS IN OCTOBER: The Titans have compiled a 104-61 (.630) record in the month of October since 1987. More recently, in the past eight seasons, IWU is 28-14 in October including this year's 0-1 mark.

DISCIPLINED: Illinois Wesleyan has been one of the more disciplined teams around Division III this season. The Titans 18 penalties are the 40th-fewest across the country, while IWU is also top-50 in fewest penalty yards (136 yards - 28th) and fewest penalties per game (4.50 - 46th).

RIDE ON: The Green and White is back on the road Saturday, Oct. 18, for a short trip down to Decatur, Ill. for a meeting with Millikin. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.