2nd half surge sends No. 6 Wheaton past Illinois Wesleyan

Posted on October 1, 2016

Brandon Bauer threw for three touchdowns in Illinois Wesleyan’s loss to Wheaton on Saturday. (Photo by Clare Halverson/www.iwusports.com)

By Eric Stock

BLOOMINGTON – Wheaton scored 34 unanswered points to erase a 10-point second quarter deficit as the No, 6-ranked Thunder pulled away to a 48-24 victory over Illinois Wesleyan to spoil the Titans’ homecoming.

Titan freshman Brandon Bauer threw for 276 yards and three touchdowns in the first half, connecting with Austin Wagner on a 46-yard throw to the end zone that put the Titans up 24-14 with 3:04 left in the half.

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

The Thunder (5-0, 3-0 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin) scored on three consecutive possessions in the third quarter, tying the game on Andrews Bowers’ 18-yard touchdown pass to Chase White and taking the lead on a 28-year toss from Bowers to White.

IWU (2-2, 1-2) compiled 344 yards in the first half, but managed 118 in the second half, including -5 rushing yards. Wheaton racked up 542 yards of total offense.

Bauer completed 22 of 33 passes for 399 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions.

The Titans host Augustana on Oct. 8.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].

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