Game Program

ELMHURST, Ill. - This Saturday, Elmhurst welcomes Illinois Wesleyan University to Langhorst Field for the sixth game of the season. Elmhurst brings a 3-3 record into the contest, looking to snap a three-game skid and pick up its first CCIW win of the season (0-3). Illinois Wesleyan brings a 6-0 record into todays contest and a perfect 3-0 mark in the CCIW.

ON THE AIR - Today's game and every home game is being streamed live on www.bluejaytv.com. Luke Tanaka will have the play-by-play call of the game.

SERIES HISTORY - Today's game marks the 63rd meeting between Illinois Wesleyan and Elmhurst on the gridiron. The Titans lead the all-time series 49-12 (one tie) that dates back to 1930 when Illinois Wesleyan edged Elmhurst 13-7.Elmhurst has won two of the last three contests against the Titans, defeating Illinois Wesleyan 29-28 in Bloomington last season and 35-31 at Langhorst Field in 2012. The Titans won the 2013 meeting 24-10.

LAST MEETING - Elmhurst scored 14 straight points in the fourth quarter to come away with a 29-28 victory when the two teams met last season in Bloomington (October 25, 2014). Illinois Wesleyan opened up a double-digit lead at 28-17 early in the fourth quarter, but Elmhurst sliced into the lead with a 42-yard touchdown pass from Joe Camiliere to Kaylon Miller. After Illinois Wesleyan was forced to punt, the Bluejays drove 80 yards and scored the game-winning touchdown on a seven-yard run from Joe Camiliere. An interception from Jake Pawlicki on Illinois Wesleyan's final drive of the game sealed the victory for the Bluejays.

BLUEJAYS LAST WEEK - Elmhurst had its 14-year winning streak against North Park halted in a 24-14 road loss to the Vikings last week. Elmhurst built a 7-3 lead at the half and was poised to add to the lead early in the third quarter when momentum swung to North Park. The Vikings blocked an Elmhurst field goal attempt and returned the loose ball 76 yards for a touchdown. The Vikings added a pair of touchdowns on offense to open up a 24-7 lead. The Bluejays added a late touchdown from Drew Domino to Korey Partenheimer to make the final score 24-14. Domino threw for two touchdowns in the loss, finding Garrett Claxon for a 15-yard score in the opening half. Connor Brewer added 84 rushing yards on 14 carries for the Bluejays.

IWU LAST WEEK—Illinois Wesleyan remained unbeaten on the 2015 season by scoring a 21-7 road victory at Augustana. After Augustana had tied the game at 7-7 midway through the opening quarter, the Titans immediately struck back as Maurice Shoemaker-Gilmore returned the ensuing kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown. The Titans remained in front 14-7 until early in the fourth quarter. Shoemaker-Gilmore delivered his second big play of the contest, scoring on a 55-yard touchdown run to make the final score 21-7. The game was mainly a defensive struggle as Augustana outgained the Titans 284-271. The Titans did most of their damage on the ground, rushing for 165 yards on 28 carries. Shoemaker-Gilmore led the way with 75 yards on nine carries. Austin Harrell added 60 yards on five rushes. Jack Warner completed 13-of-21 passes for 106 yards and a touchdown in the victory.

TITANS' DEFENSE—Illinois Wesleyan enters today's game ranked first in the CCIW in total defense. The Titans are allowing opponents an average of just 265.5 yards per game. They rank second in the league in rushing defense at 94.3 yards per game and lead the conference in passing defense at 171.2 yards per game. The Titans also lead the conference in turnover ratio, with a +9 rating. Illinois Wesleyan has given the ball away nine times while the defense has forced a league-best 17 turnovers.

BLUEJAYS' DEFENSE - Elmhurst's defense also ranks near the top of the CCIW in several categories. The Bluejays are third in the league in scoring defense (16.7 points per game), second in passing defense (188.5 yards per game) and third in total defense at 336.8 yards per game.

DOWN DEFENSE - Elmhurst's defense has been exceptionally tough when opponents are facing third and fourth down. The Bluejays lead the CCIW in both third-down and fourth-down opponent conversion percentage. Opponents have converted only 28.0 percent (23-of-82) of third down attempts this season. The Bluejays have been just as strong on fourth down, limiting opponents to just a 31.2 conversion percentage (5-of-16).

STALKING THE SIDELINES - Ron Planz is in his second season as head coach of the Bluejays. Planz came to Elmhurst last year after spending five seasons as the defensive line coach and special teams coordinator at Minnesota State University-Mankato. Planz also previously served as an assistant coach at Manchester College and the Universtiy of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Planz is no stranger to the CCIW after attending Carthage College and playing for the Red Men. Planz owns an 8-8 overall career record as the Bluejays' head coach. He is 1-0 when facing Illinois Wesleyan.

ACROSS THE FIELD - Norm Eash is in his 29th season as head coach of Illinois Wesleyan. The longest tenured football coach in the CCIW, Eash has a career record of 183-96-1 and is Illinois Wesleyan's winningest coach in the program's history. His squads has won seven CCIW Championships, most recently in 2009, and he has been named the league's Coach of the Year on five occasions (most recently in 2009). Eash has led the Titans to the NCAA Playoffs on five occasions in his career, most recently during the 2013 season. Eash has a career record of 23-5 when facing Elmhurst.

CCIW HONORS - Elmhurst players have taken home four CCIW Player of the Week honors this season. Josh Williams has been named the league's Offensive Player of the Week twice this season (September 14 and September 28). Sean Wetherell earned Defensive Player of the Week honors for his part in the Bluejays' win over Simpson. Brett Bayer took home Special Teams Player of the Week honors on September 14 for his part in the Bluejays' win over Hope.

LOOKING AHEAD - The Bluejays' 2015 schedule is winding down with just three contests left. Elmhurst heads to the road next week (October 31) to face Wheaton College. The Bluejays will host their final home game of the season in two weeks (November 7) by welcoming Millikin University to Langhorst Field. Elmhurst wraps up the 2015 season on November 15 by traveling to North Central College.