Illinois Wesleyan Dominates Elmhurst in Shutout Win
The Titans secured a decisive 44-0 victory to improve their overall record to 6-2 this season.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Football
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Illinois Wesleyan cruised to a 44-0 shutout against Elmhurst at Tucci Stadium. The win moves the Titans to a 6-2 overall record and marks their first season with six wins since 2022.
Why it matters
The victory keeps Illinois Wesleyan competitive in the conference with a 4-2 record. The game also highlighted the team's depth, as the coaching staff successfully utilized a rotating quarterback strategy.
Illinois Wesleyan outgained Elmhurst 534 to 123 in total offensive yards during the shutout. Malik Gray led the ground attack with 76 rushing yards on 15 carries, while Will Nazha tallied 123 receiving yards.
The players
Malik Gray
He is a running back for the Illinois Wesleyan football team who scored four touchdowns in the win against Elmhurst.
Dermot Smyth
He is an Illinois Wesleyan quarterback who returned to the field to throw two touchdown passes after recovering from an injury.
Kyle Beaty
He is an Illinois Wesleyan quarterback who participated in a rotating series strategy throughout the game.
Nas King
He is a defensive player for Illinois Wesleyan who contributed to a safety during the team's shutout victory.
Jamari Chaney
He is a defensive contributor for Illinois Wesleyan who teamed up to record a safety against Elmhurst.
The details
Malik Gray anchored the offense by rushing for four touchdowns, while Dermot Smyth contributed two passing touchdowns to the effort. The team also secured points through a safety recorded by Nas King and Jamari Chaney.
Timeline
September 19, 2026: Dermot Smyth last played before his injury.
October 24, 2026: Illinois Wesleyan lost to Millikin.
October 25, 2026: Illinois Wesleyan defeated Elmhurst.
November 7, 2026: Illinois Wesleyan plays North Park.
Season Trajectory
This win marks the first time the program has reached six victories since the 2022 season, signaling a return to form for the team. The performance positions the squad to continue building momentum as they head into the final stretch of conference play.
The rotation between Dermot Smyth and Kyle Beaty suggests the coaching staff is prioritizing depth to mitigate injury risks for the remainder of the schedule. Fans should monitor the rotation pattern in the upcoming November 7 matchup against North Park.
The takeaway
Maintaining this offensive production will be critical for Illinois Wesleyan as they look to finish the season above .500. Consistent quarterback play remains the primary factor for the team to sustain this level of success.
Further reading
For more on local gridiron updates, see Football.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Pantagraph.
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