Second-half stalls doom IWU football in loss to No. 5 North Central

Posted on September 16, 2017

Norm Eash is set to begin his 31st season as Illinois Wesleyan football coach. (Photo courtesy iwusports.com)

By Eric Stock

NAPERVILLE – Liam Crotty connected on four field goals as No. 5-ranked North Central stymied the Illinois Wesleyan offense in the second half of the Cardinals 26-13 win at Benedetti-Wherli Stadium.

NCC opened up a 10-0 first quarter lead when Crotty made the first field goal after a Liam Keffer fumble on a kickoff return.

PODCAST: Listen to the postgame interview with IWU coach Norm Eash on WJBC.

Brandon Bauer’s 6-yard run capped a 13-play, 70-yard ensuing drive that included a fourth down and 23 conversion. Wesleyan tied the game at 13 midway through the second quarter on Bauer’s 4-yard strike to Andrew Apel.

IWU, ranked number 16 in the D3football.com poll, was limited to 66 yards in the second half after gaining 178 in the first half.

Bauer completed 12 of 27 passes for 178 yards and two interceptions. Morgan Alexander rushed for 64 yards on 19 carries. Jordan Hassan led the Titans with 15 tackles.

The Titans (2-1) host North Park on Saturday.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected]

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