GREENWOOD, Ind. – Kentucky Wesleyan College rolled to its third consecutive victory behind another monster day from passing/receiving tandem Dalton Oliver/Keelan Cole to highlight weekend action from Great Midwest Athletic Conference members.
The Panthers (3-2) trounced the University of Faith, 47-10, as Oliver and Cole both have emerged towards the top of the pack in several NCAA Division II statistical categories.
Alderson Broaddus University (3-2) was grounded in a tough matchup against NCAA Division I FCS Wagner, 26-0, and Central State University (1-4) dueled Kentucky State University to a 31-24 defeat in Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts.
Kentucky Wesleyan 47, Faith 10
Offensive and defensive dominance played pivotal roles as the Panthers cruised against the Glory Eagles of Faith in Owensboro. Oliver threw for 360 yards and four touchdowns while Cole hauled in 10 catches for 220 yards and three scores.
KWC came up with three interceptions against Faith as Jayson Wine, Shyheem Barthell and Christian Calle, each picked off quarterback Brandon Hames.
A 63-yard Oliver-to-Cole connection capped a one-play scoring drive late in the first quarter and the Panthers had a 19-3 lead going into the locker room.
Cole now ranks third in the nation in receiving touchdowns, fourth in both total receiving yards and yards per game and 16th in all-purpose yardage. Oliver ranks fourth in average yards per completion, over 16 yards per caught pass to his receivers.
After both teams exchanged a touchdown in the third quarter, the Panthers scored 21 more points in the final period. Cole caught two more touchdown passes of 14 and 28 yards and Dylan Byrd had an 11-yard run to cap the scoring.
KWC racked up 282 yards on the ground, including 123 by Myles Walker.
Kentucky Wesleyan will make another trip, this time to Lake Wales, Fla., for a noon matchup against Warner University next Saturday.
Kentucky State 31, Central State 24
As part of the 31st Circle City Classic with over 15,000 fans in attendance, the Marauders and Thorobreds clashed before the Indianapolis Colts had a home game against the Baltimore Ravens the following day.
KSU running back Jacquise Lockett churned out 243 yards on the ground with 36 carries to go with two scores.
The Marauders outscored the Thorobreds 14-0 in the fourth quarter with a rally in their sights, but the difference in this one turned out to be a first-quarter touchdown that came as a result of a Central State turnover.
Dual-threat quarterback Michael Wilson passed for 210 yards and accumulated 149 more on the ground to lead the Central State offense. Chris Murray had 96 yards receiving and hauled in a Wilson scoring pass.
Central State outgained Kentucky State in total offensive yardage, 378 to 343. Kentucky Wesleyan had played against Kentucky State earlier this season as a common opponent.
CSU will face Miles College next weekend in Fairfield, Ala., for a 4 p.m. contest.
Wagner 26, Alderson Broaddus 0
From Staten Island, NY, it was a tough go for the Battlers’ offense after being grounded by the Seahawks, one week removed from Wagner taking on Florida International.
The Alderson Broaddus’ defense held the Seahawks to one field goal by Bryan Maley in both the second and third quarters, but the offense had a hard time getting tracked.
Wilson Vaughn had an uncharacteristic day with 13-of-31 passing and running back Brandon Jones was held to under 100 yards for the first time this season.
Wagner was able to control the game on the ground, rushing for 294 yards versus 67 for ABU. The Seahawks reeled off a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns, including a 47-year interception return to contribute to the final score.
Alderson Broaddus returns home to face Point University next Saturday from Philippi with a noon kickoff set.