By Eric Stock
BLOOMINGTON – The weekly question of which of three Illinois Wesleyan quarterbacks would be starting didn’t need to asked this week.
Freshman Brandon Bauer led the Titans (2-1) to a 45-10 win in his first career start on Saturday at North Park, completing 17 of 22 passes with two touchdowns in the first half.
“I thought the first half he was outstanding,” IWU coach Norm Eash said. “I thought he did a great job of bouncing back (from the North Central loss) and getting better in the second game.”
Eash had also hinted after the game that the team’s No. 1 quarterback at the start of the season, Jack Warner, was unlikely to return from summer knee surgery soon, noting that it would take at least two weeks of preparations once he is cleared to practice.
“Do you bring him back for just three games?,” Eash asked about the junior. “Brandon is going to get better and better. Maybe there’s a method to all this madness we are going through.”
So, the Wheaton Thunder can prepare for Bauer for the Titans’ homecoming game at Tucci Stadium on Saturday.
Center Mike Mulcrone said the nationally-ranked Thunder will be tough.
“We just need to execute our game plan and not really worry as much about what they are doing,” Mulcrone said. “They have big, strong guys up front. As long as we can move then and cover people up we are going to be OK.”
It’s not clear whether the Titans’ defense will need to prepare for one or two quarterbacks. Andrew Bowers had started three games (598 passing yards, six touchdowns, 1 interception) while Johnny Petlz (275 passing yard, 4 TD, 1 INT) has seen considerable playing time.
Senior linebacker Tyler Fahey said he doesn’t feel any added pressure taking on the defending conference champions.
“it’s just another College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin game. We are looking to get our second CCIW win,” Fahey said. “Obviously they’ve had some tight games, it’s a great conference.”
The No. 6 Thunder (4-0) narrowly defeated Elmhurst, 10-6, on Saturday, after downing Carthage, 19-14, in its College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin opener on Sept. 17.
WJBC.com will have the play-by-play at 12:45 p.m.
Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].
