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DOVER, Del. - On a day dedicated to the program's decorated head coach, the No. 5 Wesley College football team was motivated by one of Mike Drass's signature sayings, "Let's win a game!"
The Wolverines did just that, earning a 44-24 victory over New Jersey Athletic Conference rival Christopher Newport University. The victory marked the 200th win in Drass's 23-year career, with all of them coming at the helm of Wesley's football team.
The Wolverines' new turf field was dedicated on Saturday, as President Robert Clark and Coach Drass shook hands on the newly dubbed Drass Field during pre-game ceremonies. During the proceedings the head coach seemed less concerned with whose name was on the field and more concerned with the same things he always is on game day: playing well and winning.
The home team got off to a fast start, scoring just 90 seconds into the contest. Joe Callahan found Alex Kemp for a 20-yard touchdown, capping a six-play, 83-yard scoring drive to give the Wolverines a 7-0 lead.
CNU responded with a scoring drive of their own to tie the game, but Wesley regained the lead with another quick scoring drive. On the first play of the sequence, Callahan escaped what looked to be a sure sack, scrambled to his right and found a streaking James Okike wide open in the middle of the field. Okike caught the ball and trotted to the end zone for a 75-yard pitch-and-catch, giving the home team a 14-7 advantage.
The Captains took the lead in the second quarter, rattling off 10 straight points to gain a 17-14 edge over the Navy and White, but Wesley struck back with 30 consecutive points. Jamar Baynard rushed for three touchdowns, Okike caught another score, and Eric Speidel drilled a 20-yard field goal to give Wesley a 44-17 lead before CNU could score again. The visiting squad punched in a touchdown in the final five minutes of the game, but it was too little too late as Wesley earned their second win of the season.
Callahan finished the day with 309 yards on 15-of-24 passing and three touchdowns. Jamar Baynard toted the ball 26 times for 181 yards and three scores. James Okike hauled in three catches for 134 yards and two scores while Kemp finished with a 20-yard touchdown catch. \
Samer Manna led the Wolverine defense with 17 total tackles. Julian Jones, Dan LaGuerre, and Brenton Barnes each registered a sack, while Isaiah Ingram and Brandon Bennett split a sack. Andre Connally, James Williamson, and Craig Pettit each picked off a pass as the Wolverine defense held the Captains to just 7 second half points.
Coach Drass's milestone puts him in impressive company. He becomes only the 15th active college football coach (among all divisions) with 200 wins. He is also just the 74th college football coach of all time to reach the win plateau. Offensive coordinator and associate head coach Chip Knapp has been on staff and by Drass's side for all 200 wins.
Wesley improves to 2-0 on the season, with both wins coming against NJAC opponents. The squad will travel to Chicago, Ill. next weekend to take on No. 13 North Central College, a member of the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin. This will mark the first time the programs have ever met.