By Eric Stock

BLOOMINGTON – Illinois Wesleyan football coach defines road trips by how many movies you can watch while on the bus.

“This is a three-movie trip,” Eash said of the seven-hour (488-mile) journey, the longest bus ride in Eash’s 30 years as IWU coach.

Following a win in the exhibition opener against Monterrey Tech of Mexico, Eash is looking at this another first-ever matchup when the Titans play Nebraska Wesleyan at Abel Stadium in Lincoln Saturday.

“This will be a fun game because this is a first time thing,” Eash said. “It’s historic. I like to use the word historic with our players They probably hear that a lot.

“Last week was a historic game. This week is a historic game.”

Jack Donegan will get his second start at quarterback as Jack Warner recovers from knee surgery. He played effectively in the win, completing 15 of 23 passes for 135 yards and one interception.

Donegan said he’s comfortable playing the role of ‘placeholder’ until the two-year starter returns.

“Jack Warner is probably my best friend at Illinois Wesleyan. He’s been helping me out a lot, watching film with me,” Donegan said. “I want to be in there as long as possible but I also want the best player in there because I want the team to win.”

Warner is listed as questionable for the game.

Defensive back Brinton Wilkey, who had a pick-six last week, doesn’t expect to get as many chances at an interceptions this week against the Prairie Wolves.

“They are going to load the box and try what I would describe as ‘big boy football,’ ” Wilkey said. “They are going to try to shove it down your throat. I think our defense is going to be well prepared and we will be ready for everything they try to throw at us hopefully.”

The Prairie Wolves are in their first season in the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference after having joint membership in NCAA Division III and the NAIA.

WJBC.com will have the game at 12:45 p.m.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].