Game Notes
On paper, Kentucky Wesleyan appears to have reasonable matchup in its homecoming game on Saturday against Missouri S&T.
But coach Brent Holsclaw knows better than to let his Panthers (0-5, 0-1 Great Lakes Valley Conference) overlook the Miners (1-4, 0-1).
Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. at Steele Stadium.
"They're 1-4, but their record is not indicative of Missouri S&T," Holsclaw said. "They've played probably the toughest schedule anyone in our conference has played…they're a very good team."
Once again, the status of senior running back Devin Le'Gall (328 rushing yards, one touchdown) is up in the air as he nurses an ankle injury. As of Friday, Le'Gall was likely a "no-go" for Saturday, Holsclaw said.
First-year Missouri S&T coach Tyler Fenwick has brought in a new system and new schemes and the Miners are average just under 360 yards of offense per game.
The Miners run the ball more effectively than the Panthers, averaging 153.4 rushing yards per game compared to KWC's 58.
"They're a nice football team. They're very big," Holsclaw said. "We're concerned about their size compared to our size on the fronts. That's typically where they've had their success — running the football and being able to protect the quarterback. They've done a real nice job."
On top of stopping the run, the Panthers will look to pressure quarterback Reed Brown. He's thrown for 975 yards and three touchdowns, but also 12 interceptions.
KWC's ability to do that and stop the run could decide the game, Holsclaw said.
"That's something we have certainly failed to do this year, too," Holsclaw said of his team, which has allowed an average of 258 rushing yards per game. "It's kind of a lesser of two evils here. We have not generated a good pass rush. We have not stopped the run. That should be the tell tale of the game."
