Indiana Wesleyan University’s football team came away with a win against cross-county rival Taylor University for the Homecoming matchup on Oct. 19.
IWU outscored the Trojans 56-7. This pushes the Wildcats to 7-1 overall and is the Wildcats’ fifth straight victory of 30+ points.
The offense ran for over 250 yards on the ground, with four different Wildcats scoring a rushing touchdown. The Wildcats had 33 first downs against the Trojan’s 13.
Sophomore Quarterback Kyle Antoine has been the key for the Wildcats this season. Against Taylor, he went 22 for 33 and threw for 192 yards and three touchdowns.
“[Homecoming] was unlike anything I’ve ever played in front of,” Antoine said. “Running out of the tunnel, you just get chills and can feel all that energy. It’s really exciting.”
IWU’s defense held the Trojan’s rushing game to just 129 yards after they had been averaging 343 yards per game.
Senior Linebacker and captain Clayton Mosher led the defense with 11 tackles and a sack. Mosher also set a program record with 234 career tackles.
“I said in the [pregame huddle] to the guys, remember who you’re playing for. Not just for the guys here, but the guys in the past as well, who have left such a great legacy,” Mosher said.
Three different Wildcat quarterbacks were able to get snaps in the game. Antoine, Austin Myers and Arjun Lothe, who threw for a 47-yard touchdown at the end of the third quarter.
Offensive Coordinator and Quarterback coach Travis Palmer is in his second season with IWU.
“They’re full of energy and excitement. They all learn a little differently, and so the way I have to coach is a little different, but it’s been fun and challenging,” Coach Palmer said. “I think one of the advantages that we have is that we’ve been able to get some leads and get ahead and that we’ve been able to get a lot of young guys in, which really helps their development.”
IWU comes in at #3 nationally for the third consecutive week in the NAIA Football GoRout Top 25 Ratings.
The Wildcats have three more games before the NAIA Football Championship Series beginning on Nov. 23. After the bye week, the team returns home on Nov. 2 at noon to take on Concordia University.
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