The Coyotes play Kansas Conference and Gene Bissell Division foe Sterling on Saturday in their final game of the 2023 season. Kickoff for the Senior Day contest is 1 p.m. at JRI Stadium and the Graves Family Sports Complex


LIVE COVERAGE

• The video stream of the game will be available online through the Coyote Sports Network at www.kcacnetwork.com/kansaswesleyan.Ottawa will be handling production of the game
• Live Stats will be available at https://kwucoyotes.com/sidearmstats/football/summary
• Radio coverage can be heard locally on KINA 910 AM/107.5 FM, and online at Salina Post. The online stream is also available at https://radio.securenetsystems.net/ce/kina2. Tyler Henry will have the call with pregame starting at Noon.

RECORDS 

• Kansas Wesleyan 7-3, 3-1 Bissell Division
• Sterling 2-8, 1-3 Bissell Division

THE SERIES 

• The Coyotes have won the last five after losing four of the previous five. They won 49-0 last year at JRI Stadium after leading 35-0 at halftime. The series is tied 11-11 since 2001.

KANSAS WESLEYAN AT A GLANCE

• The Coyotes lost to Ottawa 27-24 in overtime last week in Ottawa, the loss ended their six-game winning streak and postseason playoff hopes.
• The game was tied 14-14 at halftime. The Coyotes took a 21-14 lead on Mark Benjamin's 65-yard run with 7:40 left but Ottawa tied the game 13 seconds later when Malik Patterson returned the ensuing kickoff 86 yards for a touchdown. Talon Cope's 23-yard field goal gave KWU a 24-21 lead in overtime but Ottawa scored a touchdown on its possession.
• Benjamin had 133 yards rushing on 16 carries and two touchdowns while Byron McNair 13 of 23 passing for 170 yards and one interception. The Coyotes had 13 penalties for 107 yards.
• KWU enters Saturday's game averaging 21.6 points and 313 total yards – 158 passing and 155 rushing.
• This year's senior class will be recognized during pregame ceremonies on Bissell Field.

STERLING AT A GLANCE

• The Warriors lost to Avila 41-10 last week in Kansas City, Missouri. They defeated Saint Mary 33-30 a week earlier in Sterling, ending a four-game losing streak.
• They defeated Saint Mary despite being outgained in total yardage 531-266. The Spires had 422 yards rushing. Avila finished with 486 total yards – 312 rushing.
• Sterling averages 15.8 points and 250 total yards per game while opponents average 41.5 points and 446 yards – 280 rushing.
• TC Smith is the leading rusher with 341 yards and four touchdowns. Quarterback Rocklin Baptista has completed 40 percent of his passes (72-180) for 1,042 yards with six touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
• Linebacker Hunter Pullen has a team-best 90 tackles while lineman Alan Garcia and linebacker Diego Moran have 85 apiece.

KWU COACH MATT MYERS
"The game is as important as any other one. We put in a lot of time from the staff and players year-round so anytime you get to compete on Saturday you want to do that and come out with a win. Sterling's always a tough team and I don't think it's going to be any different this weekend. They'll play really hard and try to execute the best they can. I'm sure they haven't had the season they wanted and desired and if they rip one off from us that would be something build on. We've got to play really well and make good decisions and make sure we keep the yellow flags in the referees' pockets."