By Eric Stock
BLOOMINGTON – Maurice Shoemaker-Gilmore remembers last year’s North Central game well, but for all the wrong reasons.
“I had that fumble in a critical situation last year.,” the senior running back said of Illinois Wesleyan’s 33-15 loss, his first as a Titan. “My only fumble of the year. Those are the kind of plays that stick with you sometimes.”
Illinois Wesleyan entered last year’s game with the defending College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin champions 7-0. The Titans are also undefeated heading into Saturday’s rematch with the No. 9-ranked Cardinals at Tucci Stadium, though Norm Eash’s team played just two non-conference games (including an exhibition) due to the addition of Carroll this season.
“We are jumping into the fire pretty quick,” Eash said, adding that his team benefited from a long preseason camp. “In 16 preseason camp days, I believe our players got used to playing under pressure and playing tired a little bit. That’s going to help us down the road because we don’t get a break until the second-to-last week of the season.”
The game also brings back distasteful memories for senior defensive end Kyle Venhuizen as he suffered a leg injury in the 2015 opener and missed the rest of the season.
“That was pretty painful honestly just because of how tight a ball game that was,” Venhuizen said. “I felt like get me in there for two plays I can make something happen. I guess it’s kind of motivated me for this season because I want to do something.”
Shoemaker-Gilmore rushed for 120 yards in IWU’s season opening win at Nebraska Wesleyan last week. Venhuizen had a team-high two sacks and three tackles for loss.
North Central has opened the season with wins against two NAIA scholarship programs, Robert Morris-Chicago and Webber International.
WJBC and WJBC.com. has the game at 6 p.m.
Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].
