IWC travels to Illinois to tee it up with Trinity International

After showing it can hang with a ranked opponent, Iowa Wesleyan College will once again look for its first win of the season Saturday afternoon when it travels to face Trinity International University at 1 p.m. in a Mid-States Football Association Midwest League game.

The Tigers are coming off a confidence-building 58-7 win last week over Wright State. Kevin McConnell threw for 336 yards in one half of play, including three TD passes to Ridge Hobbs, and the IWC defense recovered eight WSU turnovers. Because Wright State?s team is a club team the game does not count in NAIA statistics, but the game served to build confidence after a tough 0-4 start that has included a number of moments playing well against good teams but no wins to show for it.

In Wesleyan?s last MSFA game the Tigers lost at home on Homecoming to now #15-ranked St. Francis (Ill.) 50-28. McConnell passed for 221 yards and three touchdowns and also ran for another 106 yards and a score, but the Saints scored the game?s final 14 points in the fourth quarter to thwart IWC?s upset bid.

The Tigers now face a Trinity International team that has mirrored IWC in many ways in recent years. Like Wesleyan, the Trojans began last year with a new coach building a program, and the two teams have split their last four meetings. A one-time power in the MSFA, TIU has struggled in recent years but has shown signs of life under current Head Coach Kirk Wherritt.

Trinity International enters with a 1-3 overall record. The Trojans had a bye last week, and in their last game lost 49-14 to St. Xavier, the top-ranked team in the NAIA. TIU?s win this season came by a 13-10 score against Concordia (Mich.), a program in its first year of varsity competition. The Trojans have struggled offensively, averaging 9.8 points over their four games and scoring no more than 14 in a single game. Trinity International has been decent on defense, allowing 362.5 yards per game.