Game Notes
It wasn't until the second to last game of the season last year that Kentucky Wesleyan earned its first win. Now, with a week three matchup today in Kansas City at William Jewell (0-2), the Panthers (1-1) have a chance to surpass their entire win total from 2011.
Kickoff is at 1 p.m.
After a 40-10 loss at home to Walsh in week one, KWC responded with a 13-6 road win at Kentucky State last Saturday.
Through three weeks, coach Brent Holsclaw is liking the direction his is heading in.
"You always see improvement between week one and week two," he said. "We showed that last week…but some of our guys last Saturday, it was their first start. So we're hoping to see even more improvement between week two and week three."
KWC enters the game with arguably the top defense in the Great Lakes Valley Conference through two weeks.
The Panthers are first in total defense, pass defense, red-zone defense and second in scoring defense.
The defense as a whole has only allowed 266 yards of total offense this year, while William Jewell's has surrendered 615.
But perhaps more importantly, one of Holsclaw's biggest worries before the season started looks like it's not going to be as much of a problem.
Junior quarterback Will Barnes faced the tough task of replacing four-year starter Chris Owen, but Holsclaw said he's been more than pleased with how Barnes has played the first two weeks.
He's completed 41-of-63 passes for 368 yards and two touchdowns. On top of that, he hasn't thrown one interception and the offense has yet to turn the ball over.
"Will Barnes has done it like he's been a four-year starter for us," Holsclaw said. "The guy has been absolutely terrific."
KWC could still use plenty of work in the running game, which Holsclaw said received a lot of attention in practice this week.
The Panthers are averaging just 30 yards a game on the ground, while William Jewell is grounding out 114.
William Jewell edged out a 17-12 win over KWC last season in the final game of the year,
