OWENSBORO, KY - With Homecoming weekend coming to a close, Kentucky Wesleyan Football looked to send out everyone with a bang. They did just that, erasing a 21-10 first half deficit to take down G-MAC leader Hillsdale 31-27. This win is the first in team history over Hillsdale, as they were previously 0-4 all-time versus their foes from Michigan.

Wesleyan now moves to 2-3 (1-2 G-MAC) while Hillsdale drops to 3-2 (2-1 G-MAC). 

The Panthers got the ball rolling early, as Christian Arrambide hit David Florence for a 41 yard touchdown just five plays into the game to give Wesleyan the quick 7-0 lead. After Hillsdale came back with a touchdown of their own, freshman Blake Vivrette knocked in a big 45-yard field goal to give Wesleyan a 10-7 lead. 

Hillsdale came out with some fire in the second quarter, opening up the frame with a 3-yard rushing touchdown to take back the lead. The Chargers then forced the Panthers to punt on their next drive, a punt that was blocked by HC and taken back for their second touchdown of the frame. Down 21-10, Wesleyan mounted a drive that ended in a big 43-yard touchdown completion from Arrambide to Laron Warner, putting the Panthers right back in the game. With Hillsdale up 21-17 and threatening to score again before the half, Ramond Jackson intercepted Charger quarterback Luke Keller's pass to give Wesleyan all the momentum heading into halftime. 

Hillsdale looked to score on the opening drive of the third quarter, but on 4th and 20 at the KWC29, Ramond Jackson came through with a big tackle on Hillsdale's Tim Boyd, stopping him just one yard short of the first down marker, giving the Panthers possession. Neither team could get much going after that, as they went into the final quarter with Hillsdale still leading 21-17. 

The Chargers quickly went up a 24-17 after they successfully kicked just their second field goal of the season. After three quarters of bruising the defensive line, running back Landon Newman finally found the end zone, scoring on Wesleyan's first drive of the fourth quarter to tie the game. After an interception that gave Hillsdale a 1st and goal from the KWC9, the Panther defense stood strong, holding Hillsdale to just a field goal to keep it a 3-point game. Late in the fourth, Wesleyan mounted a big 8-play, 75-yard drive that finished with a huge 33-yard touchdown pass from Arrambide to the speedy Brennen McGuire. Ja'Kobe North and Ramond Jackson each intercepted Hillsdale in the final two minutes of play to seal the big win.

Christian Arrambide was 19-for-29 with 280 yards and three touchdowns in the win. David Florence led the receivers with seven receptions for 95 yards and a touchdown. Brennen McGuire tallied five receptions for 59 yards and a touchdown. Landon Newman's 107 rushing yards matched a career high, which he set at Findlay back in 2019. 

On the defensive side of the ball, Jalen Humphrey led the Panthers with 11 total tackles, including 0.5 TFL. Ramond Jackson was everywhere on the field, racking up seven tackles, 0.5 TFL, two pass breakups, one QB hurry, and two interceptions for a total of 16 yards. 

Blake Vivrette now owns the third (48-yards) and fifth (45-yards) longest field goals in Kentucky Wesleyan history. 

Kentucky Wesleyan will look to continue this momentum next week when they head to Quincy to take on the Hawks, who just fell to Missouri S&T 31-24 this afternoon. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. CT.

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