The Thunder football team records its highest point total ever in Bloomington with a 65-21 victory against IWU

Bloomington, Ill. – The 19th-ranked Wheaton Thunder traveled to Bloomington to take on the Illinois Wesleyan Titans, seeking to continue their five-game winning streak against the Titans. Wheaton won 65-21 as they moved to 3-2 overall and 3-1 in CCIW play on the season, with the Thunder offense humming in all aspects of the game. Illinois Wesleyan falls to 2-3 on the season and 2-2 in the CCIW.

The scoring started for the Thunder after a 24-yard punt from the Titans got Wheaton's drive started at their own 44-yard line. On the preceding play Mark Forcucci (PICTURED LEFT) found Whit Jewett on his back shoulder for a gain of 32 yards. Wheaton, clearly liking the perceived mismatch between Jewett and his man, found Jewett in the endzone for the first score of the game making the score 7-0 in favor of Wheaton with 4:33 left in the first quarter.

With 8:27 remaining in the second quarter, Wheaton started their drive in fantastic field position thanks to a 15-yard punt return by Seth Kortenhoeven which got Wheaton to Illinois Wesleyan's 39-yard line. On third-and-two at the Titans' six-yard line, Wheaton ran a speed option play where Forcucci flipped it to Malachi Jones who walked into the endzone giving the Thunder a 14-0 lead.

Wheaton's next scoring drive could be considered the Ben Juska drive, as three of the four plays Wheaton ran went his way. Juska recorded a rush for five yards and two receptions for 27 yards and an eight-yard touchdown catch. The touchdown was on a play action, Juska ran what looked to be a drag, before leaking out behind the secondary for an easy score.

After giving up a rushing touchdown on a three-minute drive from Illinois Wesleyan, Wheaton immediately responded with a kickoff return for a touchdown, seeking to snuff out any momentum the Titans had gained on their scoring drive. The kick went short landing at Wheaton's 28-yard line. Brett Dieter found a hole and then out-ran the Titans' kicker for a 71-touchdown return. Dieter also recorded four total tackles on special teams as well. He, and the rest of the Thunder special teams unit were very crucial in the victory this week. Dieter's quick score made it 28-7 in favor of Wheaton with 1:45 remaining in the first half.

Wheaton would get the ball back at 1:11 on the clock in the second quarter after the Thunder defense forced a three-and-out. Forcucci connected with Kortenhoeven for 15 yards and Caleb Titherington for 18 yards, before finding Juska wide open in the endzone for six points. Juska's 11-yard touchdown reception was followed by a successful two-point attempt, as Wheaton led 36-7 at the end of the half.

Wheaton continued their momentum to start the second half after they forced a fumble on the Titans' opening drive. Two plays later, Matt Crider broke free for 49-yard rushing touchdown making the score 43-7 with 12:15 left in the third quarter.

The following drive, Wheaton forced another three-and-out and senior Nate Tofilon (PICTURED LEFT) blocked the ensuing punt providing more fantastic field position for the Thunder. Two plays later, Forcucci connected with Kortenhoeven for his fifth passing touchdown of the afternoon. The 22-yard touchdown toss increased the Thunder lead to 49-7 with 10:53 left in the third quarter.

Illinois Wesleyan would fight back with a score of their own, but the Thunder responded in kind in a drive led by quarterback Seamus O'Connell, capped off with a three-yard rush from Trent Gabriele making the score 56-14 for the Thunder with 3:01 left in the third quarter.

The Titans would score once again on a rushing touchdown early in the fourth quarter. Wheaton took four minutes off the clock and kicked a field goal to extend the lead to 59-21 on Peter Betertoni's 37-yard kick. The drive was boosted from a throw and catch by O'Connell and Sam McFadden. O'Connell, throwing off his heels, connected with McFadden who went up and got the football at his highest point.

Finnley Doriot would take over for the Thunder in their final drive of the game and was able to lead them down the field for a score, capped off by Gabriele for his second rushing touchdown of the game marking the final score 65-21.

The Thunder cruised to victory offensively recording 533 total yards and 8.08 yards/play. They passed for 356 yards while rushing for 177. Mark Forcucci led Wheaton in passing with a 240.4 rating, 226 passing yards, and five passing touchdowns. On the ground, Wheaton was led by Matt Crider who recorded 96 rushing yards. Through the air, it was not a very concentrated offense with nine different players recording at least one catch. The top options of those nine were Sam McFadden who hauled in five catches for 92 yards. Ben Juska had four catches, 42 yards, and two touchdowns.

Linebacker Luca Torti (PICTURED LEFT) up one pass attempt. Nate Tofilon was flying all over the field in today's action recording a blocked punt, six tackles good for second on the team, and an interception along with Collin Moore who had a pick of his own. The Titans were held to 2.4 yards/carry, converting on third down once, likewise with fourth down. Peter Johanik, Chandler Bryant, and Ethan Brunner each recorded a sack. Eli Reeves, Grady Gann, and Rex Kroger each recorded a tackle for loss, adding to the Thunder total of six.

This is Wheaton's fourth-straight game scoring 40 or more points against Illinois Wesleyan and 65 points is their most ever traveling to Bloomington and their third highest in program history against the Titans.

Wheaton's next matchup will be against Carthage College at McCully Stadium next Saturday at 1:00 p.m.