Late field goal leads Illinois Wesleyan to victory

Andrew Iwaszkiewicz
Andrew Iwaszkiewicz converted a 20-yard field goal in the final minute to give IWU a 13-10 win over Elmhurst on Saturday. (Photo courtesy www.iwusports.com)

By Eric Stock

BLOOMINGTON – Just call them the Cardiac Kids.

Illinois Wesleyan pulled out its second last-minute victory in as many weeks as Andrew Iwaszkiewicz connected on a 20-yard field goal with 11 seconds left to lead the Titans to a 13-10 win over Elmhurst in a College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin game at Tucci Stadium.

PODCAST: Listen to the postgame interview with IWU coach Norm Eash and junior receiver Brian Johnson. 

The field goal helped the Titans rescue a game that nearly slipped away after a 10-0 halftime lead.

Jawan Gaines returned the opening kickoff of the third quarter 95 yards for a touchdown to put the Bluejays on the board. Elmhurst had a chance to take their first lead early in the fourth quarter but Tyler Fahey blocked a 20-yard field goal attempt.

The Titans launched a 12-play, 67-yard drive to set up the game-winning field goal.

Maurice Shoemaker-Gilmore rushed for 170 yards on 24 carries despite leaving with an ankle injury. He moved within four yards of Illinois Wesleyan’s single-season rushing record.

Brandon Bauer completed 13 of 26 passes for 166 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

The Titans (6-2, 5-2 in the CCIW) finish the season on Nov. 12 at Millikin.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…