Nov 27, 2016

The Thunder football team will travel to Texas for a NCAA Division III Quarterfinal matchup at Mary Hardin-Baylor

Wheaton, Ill. – The Wheaton College football team (11-1) will travel to University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (12-0) for a quarterfinal round game of the 2016 NCAA Division III Playoffs on Saturday December 3. Saturday's meeting in Belton, Texas will be the first-ever meeting between the two programs and is Wheaton's first-ever football game in Texas.

Wheaton, an at-large selection into the postseason, is in its third consecutive appearance in the postseason and its 10th overall appearance in the Division III Playoffs. The Thunder has a 14-9 all-time record in the postseason, including a perfect 10-0 record in the first round. Mary Hardin-Baylor received the automatic bid into the playoffs from the American Southwest Conference (ASC).

Wheaton defeated Huntingdon 45-10 in the first round of the playoffs. The Thunder advanced to the quarterfinals with a second round victory at North Central College. Wheaton defeated its conference rival 31-14 last Saturday. Wheaton had 359 yard of offense against the Cardinals as the Thunder ran for 193 yards and passed for 166 yards. North Central put up 308 yards of total offense, with 222 passing yards and 86 yards on the ground. Thunder running back Sola Olateju carried the ball 29 times for a season-high 160 yards with two trips into the end zone. Quarterback Andrew Bowers was 16-of-29 through the air, with 166 passing yards and two touchdown tosses. Chase White caught five passes for 77 yards with a pair of touchdown receptions. Thunder defensive back Tyler Sigler recorded seven total tackles to lead the Thunder defense. Eric Stevenson and Caleb Ashby each recorded six total tackles. Ashby recorded one of Wheaton's six sacks in the game and Stevenson snagged a first-quarter interception. Austin Hoover and Chase Greenlee each registered two sacks and Noah Spielman added a sack for the guests.

Mary Hardin-Baylor defeated Redlands 50-28 in the first round. The Cru topped Linfield 27-10 last Saturday in the second round. UMHB held Linfield to 375 yards of total offense with just 236 of those coming through the air. The Cru finished with 415 yards of offense, including 256 passing yards. Mary Hardin-Baylor intercepted a pair of passes and recorded four sacks. Quarterback Blake Jackson compiled 58 rushing yards and a touchdown while going 14-of-19 passing for 256 yards and a score. Running back Markeith Miller ran for 88 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries and T.J. Josey caught four passes for 180 yards. Keith Reineke and Baylor Mullins topped the Cru defense with 11 tackles apiece and Brazos Fuller added 10 stops.

Wheaton fans can purchase tickets from 11:00 a.m. (CST) until 6:00 p.m. on November 30 and December 1-2 by calling (254) 295-4455. If purchased in advance, reserved seats are $10, general admission tickets are $8 and student tickets are $4. Tickets will also be available on game day; the gates will open at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday. Game day ticket prices are $12 for reserved seats, $10 for general admission and $4 for students.Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#52

Caleb Ashby

5' 10"

Senior

Andrew Bowers

5' 10"

Senior

Chase Greenlee

6' 2"

Junior

#41

Austin Hoover

6' 2"

Junior

#23

Sola Olateju

5' 10"

Junior

Tyler Sigler

6' 2"

Junior

Noah Spielman

6' 0"

Junior

#36

Eric Stevenson

5' 9"

Sophomore

Chase White

6' 1"

Junior

Players Mentioned

#52

Caleb Ashby

5' 10"

Senior

Andrew Bowers

5' 10"

Senior

Chase Greenlee

6' 2"

Junior

#41

Austin Hoover

6' 2"

Junior

#23

Sola Olateju

5' 10"

Junior

Tyler Sigler

6' 2"

Junior

Noah Spielman

6' 0"

Junior

#36

Eric Stevenson

5' 9"

Sophomore

Chase White

6' 1"

Junior