Stout defense carries Illinois Wesleyan football past Carthage
BLOOMINGTON — An Illinois Wesleyan defense led by linebacker Frank Roti and lineman Zach McNees held Carthage to 166 yards of total offense Saturday at Tucci Stadium as Illinois Wesleyan blanked the Firebirds 35-0.
Roti registered a team-best 11 tackles and McNees turned in three sacks as IWU improved to 2-1 overall and 2-0 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin.
The Titans limited Carthage to 32 net yards on the ground while rushing for 206.
"Overall good win," IWU coach Norm Eash said. "It was good to get the shutout. We kept them in check pretty much the whole day."
Titans quarterback Dermot Smyth completed 11 of 21 passes for 144 yards. Smyth ran for a 4-yard touchdown and passed for two: a 41-yard connection to Collin Elledge and a 14-yard toss to Markus Marshall.
IWU tailback Danny Kent scored on a pair of 1-yard touchdown plunges and rushed for 103 yards on 21 carries.
"Danny just reads blocks really well had a long run today (60 yards),' said Eash.
Carthage dropped to 0-3 overall and 0-2 in the CCIW.
