MARION, Ind. - Madonna University (3-5) lost 86-7 to Indiana Wesleyan (IN) (7-1) on Saturday, Oct. 24, at Wildcat Stadium in Marion, Ind., after three first-quarter interceptions led to touchdowns and a 35-0 deficit. The Crusaders fell to 0-2 in conference play.
Caleb Fowlkes returned the opening kickoff 41 yards to the Indiana Wesleyan 46, but Wilson Webster intercepted Madonna's opening pass. Arjun Lothe followed with a 17-yard touchdown pass to Blake Brumbaugh. Webster's second interception and another by Zion Mills also set up touchdowns as the hosts scored five times in the opening quarter.
Madonna forced a second-quarter punt after Shaun Roberts and Colin Tola combined for a three-yard tackle for loss and Duke Coats broke up a third-down pass. Later, JJ Lamphere caught a 22-yard pass and Kolter Smith converted fourth down with an 11-yard run to help set up Caiden Thomas' 52-yard field-goal attempt, which struck the crossbar. Indiana Wesleyan took a 62-0 halftime lead behind Lothe's six touchdown passes.
Indiana Wesleyan added 17 points in the third quarter, including Phillip Allen's 37-yard fumble-return touchdown. Ayden Ewing scored on a one-yard run late in the quarter, then added a five-yard touchdown run with 13:35 remaining in the fourth to extend the margin to 86-0.
The Crusaders answered with a 20-play, 79-yard drive that consumed 10:13. Brandon Willis completed passes of 18 and nine yards to Micale McClure and added a 14-yard run during the possession. Willis finished the drive with a one-yard touchdown run on fourth down with 3:15 remaining, and Thomas made the extra point for the game's final points.
Kwame Miller led Madonna with 45 rushing yards on 10 carries, while Lamphere finished with three receptions for 37 yards. Willis completed 4-of-9 passes for 39 yards without an interception. The Crusaders converted all three fourth-down attempts but finished with 152 total yards and six turnovers. Indiana Wesleyan gained 515 yards, with Lothe completing 22-of-29 passes for 273 yards as the hosts improved to 2-0 in conference play.
Lemuel Pettway led Madonna's defense with 11 tackles, including eight solo stops. Brock Culpepper added eight tackles and a two-yard tackle for loss. Jacobe Oglesby recorded five tackles and returned two kickoffs for 33 yards.
Madonna Football will be back in action on Saturday, October 31, 2026 when they host cross-town rival Lawrence Tech in a 12:00 PM Halloween matchup.
