Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

Kentucky Wesleyan College Athletics

Scoreboard

KWC falls short against William Jewell
No. 14 Chris Owen takes snap against visiting William Jewell on Saturday afternoon at Steele Stadium.

KWC falls short against William Jewell

Box Score

A last-ditch drive in the season's final game came up just short for Kentucky Wesleyan College.

Trailing by five, the Panthers drove 85 yards in eight plays with time running out, and an interception in the end zone with 30 seconds left allowed William Jewell to escape with a 17-12 victory on Saturday at Steele Stadium.

KWC, which picked up its first win of the year last week at Notre Dame College, wrapped up 2011 at 1-10.

“I'm incrediblely proud of our troops today,” Panthers' coach Brent Holsclaw said. “The last two weeks, I think it's a huge credit to our seniors, to our coaches, all our guys. We could have folded down 17-3 today, but we kept chopping.”

Wesleyan pulled to withing a touchdown for the win when Josh White caught a 2-yard pass from senior quarterback Chris Owen with 4:29 left in the game.

The Panthers held the Cardinals to three-and-out on the next series, but the punt rolled to the KWC 6 with 2:49 left to play.

A penalty on the Cardinals, two runs and pass catch by Jeff Ward put the ball to the 34 with 1:38 to go. Owen then hit Derek Brown for a 26-yard strike on fourth down to keep the drive alive.

Shawn Mooney then caught a pass at the William Jewell 34. Two plays later, Brandon Gant caught a pass and took it to the 9.

Owen Hodges preserved the win for the Cardinals when the senior cornerback intercepted the next pass for a touchback with 30 seconds to go.

William Jewell (4-6) used a three-minute span in the third period to break open a close game.

The Panthers couldn't take advantage of a solid start to the second half when a 43-yard field goal by Matt Wilson tied to contest at 3 with 12:15 in the third quarter.

KWC held William Jewell on the next two possessions, but a Panthers turnover gave the Cardinals good field position and they scored to jump ahead 10-3 with 6:24 left in the quarter.

Wesleyan then fumbled the ball away on the ensuing kickoff.

William Jewell kicked a field goal, but a roughing the kicker call gave the Cardinals another chance and they scored on the second play to take a 17-3 edge with 1:15 to go.

KWC missed two chances to score in the first period when touchdowns were called back by penalties, one a block in the back call, the other for offensive pass interference.

KWC racked up 488 yards of total offense to 339 for William Jewell. The Panthers also had 144 yards rushing to 46 for the Cardinals.

Sean Shelton led the Cardinals, who won their third straight game. Shelton was 29-for-41 passing for 293 yards and a score. He also rushed for 27 yards on 16 carries.

Ward finished with 166 yards rushing on 17 carries for KWC. Owen was 28-for-47 passing for 344 yards and a touchdown.

“What a comeback,” Holsclaw said. “Our guys kept continuing to play hard. We told them, 'it's not about the loss, you guys kept fighting. In life, not everything is going to go your way.' These young men, they're warriors and I'm really proud to be their coach.”
Print Friendly Version