Box Score
ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – Illinois Wesleyan's Rob Gallik threw for three touchdowns Saturday to lead the 17th-ranked Titans to a 24-10 win over Augustana at Lindberg Stadium. The loss, in their home finale, drops the Vikings to 5-4 overall and 3-3 in the CCIW. Illinois Wesleyan improves to 8-1 on the year and 5-1 in the conference.
 
The hosts took the opening kickoff and marched 72 yards in nine plays to take a 7-0 lead. Sophomore quarterback Chris Salazar (Providence Catholic HS, Plainfield, Ill.), starting in place of an injured Sam Frasco (Prospect HS, Mt. Prospect, Ill.), scored the game's first touchdown on a nine-yard option keeper to the right. Salazar rushed for 22 yards on the march and also hit junior Benjamin Hodges (St. Charles ionNorth HS, Elburn, Ill.) with a 22-yard completion that was tipped by a Titan defender. Senior Eric Chandler (Cary-Grove HS, Cary, Ill.) ran for 25 yards on the drive as well.
 
The Vikings had a chance to extend the lead after senior linebacker Erik Westerberg (York HS, Elmhurst, Ill.) forced a Titan fumble on Illinois Wesleyan's first possession. Senior corner Sean Walker (Annawan HS, Annawan, Ill.) scooped it up and returned it to the IWU 47, but the visitors forced an Augustana three-and-out to get the ball back.
 
A Viking personal foul after the punt moved Illinois Wesleyan from its own 16-yard line to the 31. From there, Gallik led the Titans on a 69-yard march to tie the contest. A 17-yard completion to Tate Musselman on third-and-seven kept the drive alive and a pass interference call later against Augustana on fourth-and-three extended it further. Gallik capped things a 16-yard scoring strike to Artie Checchin.
 
The Vikings forced a three-and-out on Illinois Wesleyan's next possession and when punter Matt Kusssman bobbled the snap, freshman LaSalle Smith (Plainfield East HS, Bolingbrook, Ill.) broke through to make the block and set Augustana up with great field position at the Titan 11. However, the IWU defense stiffened and forced the Vikings to settle for a 19-yard Conner Murray (Conifer HS, Morrison, Colo.) field goal and a 10-7 lead.
 
An Augustana turnover led to Illinois Wesleyan's go-ahead score. Kyle Pfister intercepted Salazar on a botched flea flicker, giving the Titans possession at the IWU 47. Gallik then completed four consecutive passes including a four-yard scoring toss to Garrett Vanhal to put the guests on top 14-10 – a lead which they took to the halftime break.
 
After the teams traded punts on their respective opening possessions of the second half, IWU went 62 yards in 12 plays to extend the lead to 17-10. Michael Kelley's 44-yard field goal with a stiff wind at his back capped the drive.
 
The game's final score came with 10:42 to play. After recovering an Augustana fumble at the Viking 21, a five-yard Gallik to Taylor Dee pass finished off a seven-play drive and gave the Titans a 24-10 lead. Augustana's final two possessions ended with an interception and on downs and Wesleyan was able to run out the final 1:32.
 
The Vikings wrap up the 2013 season on Saturday, November 16, with a trip to Naperville, Illinois to face the fourth-ranked North Central Cardinals. Kickoff at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.