CHICAGO, ILL. – Seventh-ranked Saint Xavier University scored on eight of its first nine possessions and topped the 50-point mark for the seventh time in its nine games as it defeated Iowa Wesleyan College 66-6 Saturday afternoon at Denton Memorial Stadium.
The Tigers ran into one of the hottest teams in the NAIA as the Cougars picked up 475 yards of offense in improving to 9-0 this season. IWC dropped to 2-7 with a loss in the battle between Mid-States Football Association schools matching up from their respective Midwest and Mideast leagues.
Wesleyan controlled the time of possession in the game, holding the ball for more than 36 minutes. IWC also ran 81 offensive plays, 19 more than the Cougars, and had 15 first downs, just five less than SXU. The Tigers had seven drives stall in Saint Xavier territory without coming away with points, though, with four of those drives ending on downs and three others ending in turnovers.
Iowa Wesleyan scored its lone touchdown in the fourth quarter when freshman Eduardo Garcia (San Diego, Calif.) picked up a fumble and returned it 30 yards for a touchdown for his first collegiate score.
Kevin McConnell (Fr.-Kansas City, Mo.) completed 20 of 39 passes for 181 yards for IWC but was sacked eight times. Jaren Maybin (Sr.-Baltimore, Md.) rushed for 50 yards on 21 carries, while Lawrence Moore (Jr.-Country Club Hills, Ill.) had four catches for 40 yards.
Darious Watson (Jr.-Bellwood, Ill.) led the Tiger defense with another terrific game with 12 tackles, two tackles for loss and an interception. Kris Fleming (Sr.-Chicago, Ill.) added six tackles, including four tackles for loss.
IWC will face another nationally ranked team for its last home of the season next Saturday when it plays Grand View University at 1 p.m. at Mapleleaf Stadium. Grand View is ranked 25th in the NAIA this week.
For more information regarding the IWC football program or any of the Tiger athletic teams, contact sports information director Adam Glatczak (319-385-6306 phone; 319-385-6384 FAX; aglatczak@iwc.edu e-mail) or log on to IWC's athletics web site at www.iwc.edu/athletics.
Box score #7 SXU 66 IWC 6
