Late TD lifts Illinois Wesleyan to upset of No. 4 Wheaton

Posted on September 30, 2017
Zach Walsh and Jordan hassan
Zach Walsh (left) caught the game-winning touchdown and Jordan Hassan led the Titans with 14 tackles Saturday in Illinois Wesleyan’s 14-10 win at Wheaton. (Photos courtesy iwusports.com)

By Eric Stock

WHEATON – Just call them the ‘Giant Killers’.

Brandon Bauer connected with Zach Walsh on a 12-yard scoring pass with :06 remaining to lead Illinois Wesleyan to a 14-10 upset of No. 4 Wheaton in a College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin game at McCully Stadium, spoiling the Thunder’s homecoming game.

The upset came four weeks after IWU defeated No. 3 Wisconsin-Whitewater, 17-10, at Tucci Stadium.

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

Walsh’s touchdown capped a 13-play, 86-yard drive in the final three minutes of the game after Wheaton took the lead on a 33-yard field goal from Stefan Knoerr earlier in the period.

One week after shutting out North Park, the Titans defense was equally superlative, holding the CCIW’s most prolific offense to 278 yards, including 73 on the ground.

IWU’s first touchdown came in the first quarter on a 28-yard run by Morgan Alexander, who finished with 98 yards on 26 carries.

IWU (4-1, 2-1 in the CCIW), visits Augustana on Oct. 7

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].

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