By Eric Stock
BLOOMINGTON – Illinois Wesleyan’s season opener won’t count toward a potential playoff berth, but it certainly will count for national pride according to head coach Norm Eash.
“(We are) not only playing for Illinois Wesleyan University and our school, our conference, but we are also playing for the United States,” Eash said. “It’s the United States versus Mexico. We are kind of in Olympic mode right now.”
Eash, who is opening his 30th season as the Titans’ head coach, leads IWU into battle Saturday against the Monterrey Tech-Mexico Borregos Salvajes (Wild Sheep) at Tucci Stadium on Saturday.
Senior linebacker Luke Roth said he looks forward to playing an international opponent.
“As much as I want to treat it like a regular game it is a once in a lifetime event,” Roth said. “It’s one of those things I’ll look back and think ‘Wow, that was really cool.’ Not everyone gets to do this.”
Two-year starter Jack Warner is recovering from knee surgery, so Jack Donegan will make his first collegiate start at quarterback. Senior running back Austin Harrell said his approach stays the same.
“I don’t feel any more pressure than usual, coach Eash wouldn’t put (Donegan) back there if he wasn’t good enough to play,” Harrell said. “He’s our guy, so we can’t really worry about that.”
Eash said freshman Brandon Bauer could see time under center in the opener too, but he expects Warner to be ready for the Sept. 10 game at Nebraska Wesleyan.
Monterrey Tech coach Jorge Guerra has a 12-9 record in his third season. The Borregos Salvajes lost their season opener in the final minute, 31-26 to Monterrey Tech-Monterrey last week.
Pre- and postgame festivities will have an international fair. Both national flags will be on display and both the United States and Mexico national anthems will be performed.
Eash added the two teams are planning a joint meal after the game in keeping with Mexican tradition, while Illinois State University will be hosting the team and university officials for its game later that night against Valparaiso at Hancock Stadium.
According to IWUsports.com this is the first international football game at Illinois Wesleyan but Titan teams have played five games previously overseas. IWU teams have played in Germany, Italy, France, Austria, and Finland and plans are in motion for the team to travel to Tokyo, Japan next spring.
The Titans ended the 2015 season on a three-game losing streak after starting 7-0.
WJBC will have the broadcast starting at 12:30 p.m.
Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].
