Game notes
Kentucky Wesleyan will attempt to earn its first football victory since 2012 on Saturday when the Panthers challenge host Lindsey Wilson.
Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at Blue Raider Stadium in Columbia, Ky.
Despite the defeat, the Panthers had some outstanding individual performances.
Quarterback Dalton Oliver was 23-of-46 through the air for 284 yards and three touchdowns, and wide receiver Keelan Cole made nine receptions for 114 yards and a touchdown. In addition, Xavier Mitchell caught four passes for 101 yards and a score.
Problematic, however, was the lack of a running game, as the Panthers netted only 56 yards on 34 attempts. Oliver, in fact, was the leading rusher, carrying the ball 12 times for 26 yards.
Tyler Hermann and Cody Mills each recorded seven tackles against the Thorobreds.
Lindsey Wilson (1-1), which opened the season with a 44-40 victory at Campbellsville, is coming off a tough 52-48 loss to visiting Reinhardt — a game that saw the Blue Raiders squander a 20-0 first-quarter lead by committing five turnovers.
LWC quarterback Branden Cresup lit up the Reinhardt defense by completing 30-of-42 passes for 490 yards and five touchdowns.
The Blue Raiders, ranked No. 18 nationally in the NAIA preseason poll, got huge performances from receivers Cortez Barber (eight catches for 128 yards) and Chaz Barnes (seven catches, 131 yards). On the ground, Lindsey Wilson was paced by Dakota Brown, who rushed for 82 yards on only eight carries.
Lindsey Wilson defeated Kentucky Wesleyan 39-20 last fall at Steele Stadium.
Following the matchup with the Blue Raiders, the Panthers visit Trinity Bible (Sept. 20) and Arizona Christian (Sept. 27), before finally playing their home-opener on Oct. 4 against Faith University.
