Kentucky Wesleyan Panthers football
Encyclopedia
The Kentucky Wesleyan Panthers football team is the interscholastic football
team at Kentucky Wesleyan College
in Owensboro, Kentucky
.
The Panthers compete in the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Football Conference, which they joined prior to the 2006 football season. Steele Stadium (Bullet Wilson Field) located on Kentucky Wesleyan's campus is the home of the Kentucky Wesleyan Panther football team. From 1983 to 2003 the Kentucky Wesleyan Football team played their home games at Owensboro area high schools. In 2004, the Panthers began playing their home football games at Bullet Wilson Field, an on campus field completed prior to the 2004 football season. The playing surface at Bullet Wilson Field features field turf, an artificial playing surface. The stadium around the field underwent a major upgrade project following the 2006 season. When the upgrade was completed the home of the Panthers football team was to be known as Steele Stadium (Bullet Wilson Field).
After a 53-year absence, Football returned to Kentucky Wesleyan in 1983. The college's decision to re-establish its football program was announced in December 1982. KWC dropped the football program in 1931 due to financial reasons after having a team from 1907–1930. KWC has had three winning seasons since football returned in 1983 (1993 6–4, 1997 6–4, 1999 7–4).
. When the two schools meet in football, the winner of game receives the John Wesley Trophy, the trophy was introduced to the series in 1985. The John Wesley Trophy was named after Methodism founder John Wesley
; Wesley was chosen as the namesake for the trophy because both Kentucky Wesleyan College and Union College are Methodist affiliated colleges. The KWC Football program currently has possession of the John Wesley Trophy, earning it by defeating Union 16–14 at Bullet Wilson Field during the 2004 season.
41–6 and Depauw University
20–19, The 1989 Panthers, led by Coach Mitchell in his final season, finished 3–6–1. Mitchell's '89 team set the school's current single season records for rushing attempts (510) and rushing touchdowns (22). Mitchell helped build Kentucky Wesleyan's football program from 1983 to 1989, but he failed to have a winning season during his tenure at KWC.
graduate, became KWC's second modern day head football coach prior to the 1990 season. Before coming to KWC, Awrey was the Defensive Coordinator from 1986–1989 at NCAA Division III St. Lawrence University
. From 1990 to 1993 Awrey led the Panther football team to an overall record of 12–28. Awrey went 0–10 in his inaugural 1990 season. The 0–10 1990 team set the current school record for punt attempts by punting 81 times. Safety Chad Lyons and Defensive End Mitch Miller were named as 1991 NCAA Division III Pre-Season All-Amercicans. Awrey's 1991 Panhers finished the season with a win-loss record of 2–8. Following a 2–8 season, Randy Awrey's 1992 KWC Football Team Finished 4–6. During the 1992 season, the Kentucky Wesleyan defense set current school records for interception returns for touchdowns (3) and interception return yards (294). Prior to the 1993 football season, KWC moved from NCAA Division III football into NCAA Division II. In Awrey's final season he led the 1993 KWC football team to a 6–4 record for Kentucky Wesleyan's first winning football season. Awrey's 1993 team set the schools current single season records for passing completion percentage (55.7%) and defensive pass interceptions (21). In 1993, KWC Quarterback Brent Holsclaw (1991–1993) set the school's single season pass completion record with 207 completions. Holsclaw's 1993 55.8% passing completion percentage is also the single season school record. Also in 1993, Panther Defensive Back Troy Crissman (1993–1996) intercepted nine passes which is the current KWC single season record. During the 1993 season, Troy Crissman's nine interceptions led all NCAA Division III football players.
graduate and former 3 year Green Bay Packers
assistant coach, was hired as the third modern day Head Football Coach at Kentucky Wesleyan College. From 1994 to 2002, Johnson's overall record at NCAA Division II Kentucky Wesleyan was 34–58. During Johnson's tenure, Johnson's overall record against NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, and National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
(NAIA) teams was a winning record of 34–32. Johnson's 34 wins are the most by any Kentucky Wesleyan Football Coach. During Johnson's tenure KWC played against NCAA Division I-AA competition 26 times. Johnson had two winning seasons as KWC's Head Football Coach, 6–4 in 1997 and 7–4 in 1999. During Johnson's first two seasons he guided the 1994 and 1995 Panthers to 5–5 records. During the 1995 season, Wide Receiver Sedrick Robinson (1993–1996) set single season records for pass receiving yards (1,105), touchdown receptions (17), total points scored (116), and touchdowns scored (17). In 1996 the Panthers finished 3–8 despite having WR Sedrick Robinson catch a single season record 68 passes. Following a 3–8 season, the 1997 Kentucky Wesleyan Football Team opened its season at the University of South Florida
in Tampa Stadium. Tampa Stadium was the home of the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers
from 1976–1997. The game was the University of South Florida's inaugural football game. The Panthers played in front of a University of South Florida (home game attendance) and Kentucky Wesleyan College (road game attendance) record crowd of 49,212. The 1997 Panthers lost their season opener to the University of South Florida 80–3, but the Panthers finished the 1997 season with a winning record of 6–4. The 1997 6–4 season, gave John Johnson his first winning season as KWC's Head Football Coach. The 1998 Panthers finished the '98 season with a 2–7 record. The 1998 team earned its two victories by going on the road and defeating Concordia University, St. Paul 24–7 and by winning the '98 KWC Homecoming Game 45–22 over Quincy University
. Johnson's 1999 KWC football team won the most games in a single season in school history (7 wins). The 1999 team started the season 5–0 and rose to #1 in the NCAA Division II Non-Scholarship Poll by Don Hansen's National Weekly Football Gazette on October 17, 1999. The 1999 team started the season with 5 consecutive victories (20–14 at Eureka College
, 48–15 versus Bethel College (Tennessee)
, 30–24 at Thomas More College, 51–35 at Westminster College, and 35–7 at Gannon University
). The 5–0 start in 1999 tied a school record for consecutive victories. The '99 Panthers finished 7–4 overall, with 3 of those losses being to NCAA Division I-AA schools. The 1999 Panther Football Team finished the season as the #2 ranked team in NCAA Division II Non-Scholarship by Don Hansen's National Weekly Football Gazette. The 1999 team set school records for total offense (4,521 yards), touchdowns scored (73), tackles for loss (111), and for points scored (333). The '99 Panthers Finished 21st in NCAA Division II Football for Total Offense. Head Coach John Johnson was named the 1999 NCAA Division II Non-Scholarship National Coach of the Year by Don's Hansen's Football Gazette for guiding the Pathers to the most successful football season in school history. Linebacker Nick Boling (1997–2001) led the '99 Panthers with 88 tackles and was named the 1999 NCAA Division II Non-Scholarship Linebacker of the Year by Don Hansen's National Weekly Football Gazette. During the 1999 season, quarterback J.D. Meyers (1996–1999) threw for 25 touchdown passes. Meyers' 25 touchdown passes tied Eric Stockton's (1994–1995) single season school record for touchdown passes. DT Karl Bates (1997–1999), LB Nick Boling, and Punt Retuner Antonio Newton (1998–1999) were named NCAA Division II Mid-Major 1st Team All-Americans by Don Hansen's National Weekly Football Gazette (Quarterback J.D. Meyers and Wide Receiver Corey Jordan were selected as Honorable Mentions). The 2000 Kentucky Wesleyan Football Team finished 4–6 while setting KWC single season offensive records for pass completions (234), passing yards (3,035), passing touchdowns (27), passing yards per game (303.5), receiving yards (3,035), pass receptions (234), and receiving touchdowns (27). The 2000 Panther Offense led by QB Brian Hoffman, RB Drew Hall, FB Nic Vasilchek, TE Shaun Logsdon, WR's Anthony Melvin, Justin Kramer, Michael Cox and Corey Jordan, Offensive Lineman Mark Howell, Adam Fossett, Brian Price, and Jake Colson, finished 10th in NCAA Division II Football for Total Offense (434.4 yards per game). Wide Receiver Corey Jordan (1997–2001) was named the 2000 NCAA Division II Non-Scholarship National Receiver of the Year by Don Hansen's National Weekly Football Gazette. Jordan earned the honor by finishing the 2000 football season with 63 receptions for 890 yards (813.8 m) and 13 touchdown receptions. During the 2000 season KWC Running Back Drew Hall (1999–2000) scored 12 rushing touchdowns which set the school's current single season rushing touchdowns record. Hall also averaged 101.2 rushing yards per game during 2000, which is also the school's current single season record. Quarterback Brian Hoffman (2000) set the school's single season record for passing yards by passing for 2565 yards (2,345.4 m) during the 2000 season. Hoffman's 2000 season average of 256.5 passing yards per game set the single season record. The 2001 Panthers finished their season 1–9 by picking up a victory 35–28 at Quincy University. Following the 2001 season, WR Corey Jordan, LB Vince Brodt (2000–2003),and LB Frank Wintrich (1999–2001), were named NCAA Division II Mid-Major 1st Team All-Americans by Don Hansen's National Weekly Football Gazette. KWC Head Coach John Johnson's 2002 Panthers finished 1–10, while setting the schools current single season record for first downs (237). The lone win in 2002 was a season ending 37-17 victory over Bethel College (Tennessee)
on KWC Football Senior Day. Following the 2002 season, Panther Defensive Tackle Tommy Oglesby (1999–2002) was chosen as a first team defensive tackle on the 2002 All-Alliance Team by the NCAA Division II Independent Football Alliance. Also following the 2002 season, Offensive Lineman Jake Colson (1998–2002) was selected as a NCAA Division II Mid-Major 1st Team All-American by Don Hansen's National Weekly Football Gazette. Following consecutive one win seasons, John Johnson's tenure at Kentucky Wesleyan ended January 1, 2003.
(2005). Panther standout Defensive Lineman Karl Bates (1997–1999) played seven seasons in the AFL for the Houston Thunderbears
(2000 and 2001), New Jersey Gladiators (2002), Las Vegas Gladiators (2003), Detroit Fury
(2004), Las Vegas Gladiators (2005), and San Jose SaberCats
(2006). Panther Wide Receiver Sedrick Robinson (1993–1996) has played seven years in the AFL for the Houston Thunderbears (2001), New Jersey Gladiators (2002), Las Vegas Gladiators (2003), Columbus Destroyers
(2004 and 2005), and Austin Wranglers
(2006 and 2007).
at home 33–30 in overtime for their lone win. Holsclaw's best season to date, came in 2004 when the Panthers finished 4–7 overall as first year members of the NAIA Mid-South Conference
. The Panthers were members of the NAIA Mid-South Conference in 2004 and 2005. During the 2004 season, Holsclaw's Panthers upset Campbellsville University
28-24. Prior to the 28–24 loss, Campbellsville was ranked #21 in the NAIA football top 25. The 2004 Panthers also defeated Cumberland University
17-9 on the road, beat Union College
16-13 at Bullet Wilson Field, which gave possession of the John Wesley Trophy back to KWC, and The Panthers won the season finale versus Belhaven 17–14 at Bullet Wilson Field. The 2004 Panthers set the school's single season records for total tackles (632.5) and tackles for loss (113.5) The 2005 Panthers in their second season in the NAIA Mid-South Conference finished the 2005 season with an overall win-loss record of 3–7. In 2005, KWC Running Back Letiz Arnold gained 839 rushing yards on 149 carries. Arnold's 839 rushing yards broke Antonio Newton's (1998–1999) 1998 single season school record of 820 rushing yards. Arnold's 149 carries also set the school's single season record. Prior to the 2006 season, Kentucky Wesleyan left the NAIA and returned to NCAA Division II. KWC also became a charter member of the Great Lakes Football Conference. The 2006 Panthers finished 0-11, the eleven losses were the most in school history. The 2007 KWC Football Team finished 3–8 overall including a 1-4 record in the Great Lakes Football Conference. The Panthers started the 2007 season 0-4. The Panthers won their fifth game of the season, defeating Kentucky Christian University
47–0 at Bullet Wilson Field/Steele Stadium. The 47-0 victory over KCU ended Kentucky Wesleyan's and Head Coach Brent Holsclaw's 17 game losing streak. The shutout was the first shutout recorded by the Panthers since the 1992 season. Strong Safety Greg Embers was named Great Lakes Football Conference Defensive Player of Week 6 by recording a game high 8 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, and a quarterback sack. KWC traveled to Lincoln University (Missouri)
for Lincoln's homecoming during Week 8 of the 2007 season. The KWC Panthers defeated Lincoln 35-13 for the Panthers second victory of the season and their first ever GLFC win. Quarterback Chris Owen was named Great Lakes Football Conference Offensive Player of Week 8 by rushing for 54 yards (49.4 m) on 8 carries with 2 touchdowns while also completing 19 of 32 passes for 247 yards (225.9 m) and another touchdown. The Panthers won their third game of the 2007 season by defeating LaGrange College
35–21. The 2007 season ended with a loss at Missouri-Rolla, ending the Panthers season with a 3–8 (1-4 GLFC) record. Several Panthers received 2007 post-season honors. D2Football.com named six Panthers to the D2Football.com All-Independent team. Safety Greg Embers received first-team honors. He finished second on the team in tackles (73.5) and tackles for loss with (12). Embers also finished the 2007 season with two sacks, one interception, one pass breakup, forced four fumbles and recovered two fumbles. Ron Rapier (Free Safety), DaMarcus Ganaway (Wide Receiver 3rd team kick return), and Alex Temple (Defensive End) were named to the D2Football.com second team. Alex Temple (2004–2007) finished his KWC career as the all-time leader in sacks (31.5) and tackles for loss (65). Clay Durham (LB) and Brandon Hodnett (K) were named to the D2Football.com third team. Nine KWC Panthers were named to the 2007 All-Great Lakes Football Conference team following Kentucky Wesleyan's second season in the Great Lakes Football Conference. Alex Temple was named as a first-team defensive end. Wide Receivers DaMarcus Ganaway and Josh Smith were named to the GLFC second team. Clay Durham, Greg Embers, Kenneth Lewis, Josh Abell, Matt Grey and Joel Lopez were named to as honorable mentions.
and KWC Quarterback Brian Hoffman (2000) is KWC's career leader in passing percentage (54.1%) Wide Receiver Sedrick Robinson (1993–1996) is the KWC football career leader in receiving yards (3,328), receptions (191), touchdown receptions (42), all purpose yards (5,601), total points scored (298), touchdowns scored (46), kick return yards (1772), and kick return touchdowns (2). Defensive Back Ryan Davis (1991–1994) is the school's career leader in interceptions (21) and interception return yards (298). Linebacker Brian Sieder (1994–1997) is the career leader in tackles (347). Defensive End Alex Temple (2004–2007) is the KWC football career leader in quarterback sacks (31.5) and tackles for loss (65). Kicker Shawn Payne holds the career field goals made record with 22 field goals made from 2001–2004. Punter Steve Wolf (1983–1986) is Kentucky Wesleyan's All-Time Leading Punter in punting yards (7,401) , punting attempts (193) and average yards per punt (38.35)
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
team at Kentucky Wesleyan College
Kentucky Wesleyan College
Kentucky Wesleyan College is a private Methodist college in Owensboro, Kentucky, a city on the Ohio River. KWC is just 40 minutes east of Evansville, Indiana, 2 hours north of Nashville, Tennessee, 2 hours west of Louisville, Kentucky, and 4 hours east of St. Louis, Missouri...
in Owensboro, Kentucky
Owensboro, Kentucky
Owensboro is the fourth largest city by population in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It is the county seat of Daviess County. It is located on U.S. Route 60 about southeast of Evansville, Indiana, and is the principal city of the Owensboro, Kentucky, Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city's...
.
The Panthers compete in the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Football Conference, which they joined prior to the 2006 football season. Steele Stadium (Bullet Wilson Field) located on Kentucky Wesleyan's campus is the home of the Kentucky Wesleyan Panther football team. From 1983 to 2003 the Kentucky Wesleyan Football team played their home games at Owensboro area high schools. In 2004, the Panthers began playing their home football games at Bullet Wilson Field, an on campus field completed prior to the 2004 football season. The playing surface at Bullet Wilson Field features field turf, an artificial playing surface. The stadium around the field underwent a major upgrade project following the 2006 season. When the upgrade was completed the home of the Panthers football team was to be known as Steele Stadium (Bullet Wilson Field).
After a 53-year absence, Football returned to Kentucky Wesleyan in 1983. The college's decision to re-establish its football program was announced in December 1982. KWC dropped the football program in 1931 due to financial reasons after having a team from 1907–1930. KWC has had three winning seasons since football returned in 1983 (1993 6–4, 1997 6–4, 1999 7–4).
Football tradition
Kentucky Wesleyan is involved in a traveling trophy series with Union CollegeUnion College (Kentucky)
Union College is a four-year private college located in Barbourville, Kentucky. The college, founded in 1879, is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Union College is a small liberal arts college in the Appalachian Mountains...
. When the two schools meet in football, the winner of game receives the John Wesley Trophy, the trophy was introduced to the series in 1985. The John Wesley Trophy was named after Methodism founder John Wesley
John Wesley
John Wesley was a Church of England cleric and Christian theologian. Wesley is largely credited, along with his brother Charles Wesley, as founding the Methodist movement which began when he took to open-air preaching in a similar manner to George Whitefield...
; Wesley was chosen as the namesake for the trophy because both Kentucky Wesleyan College and Union College are Methodist affiliated colleges. The KWC Football program currently has possession of the John Wesley Trophy, earning it by defeating Union 16–14 at Bullet Wilson Field during the 2004 season.
1983–1989
Billy Mitchell was hired in 1983 as Kentucky Wesleyan's first modern day head football coach. From 1983 to 1989, Mitchell guided the Panthers to a win-loss record of 22–41–3. The 1983 KWC Panthers then a member of NCAA Division III football finished 3–5 in KWC's return to the gridiron. During the inaugural season, punter Steve Wolf (1983–1987) averaged 40.4 yards (36.9 m) per punt, which set the school's current single season record. Mitchell's 1984 Panthers finished 3–6–1 and his 1985 team finished 2–6–1. Mitchell's 1986 Panthers finished 4–6. The 1986 Team still holds the school's single season rushing yards record (2,186 yards) and rushing yards per game record (218.3 ypg). The 1987 Panthers finished 3–6. Mitchell's 1988 KWC Football Team finished 4–6, which included the school's first victories over Campbellsville UniversityCampbellsville University
Campbellsville University, also known as CU, is a private university in Campbellsville, Kentucky, the seat of Taylor County. Founded as Russell Creek Academy, a Baptist institution, the university currently enrolls more than 3,000 students and is open to students of all denominations...
41–6 and Depauw University
DePauw University
DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, USA, is a private, national liberal arts college with an enrollment of approximately 2,400 students. The school has a Methodist heritage and was originally known as Indiana Asbury University. DePauw is a member of both the Great Lakes Colleges Association...
20–19, The 1989 Panthers, led by Coach Mitchell in his final season, finished 3–6–1. Mitchell's '89 team set the school's current single season records for rushing attempts (510) and rushing touchdowns (22). Mitchell helped build Kentucky Wesleyan's football program from 1983 to 1989, but he failed to have a winning season during his tenure at KWC.
1990–1993
Randy Awrey, a 1978 Northern Michigan UniversityNorthern Michigan University
Northern Michigan University is a four-year college public university established in 1899 located in Marquette, in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. With a population of nearly 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students, Northern Michigan University is the Upper Peninsula's largest...
graduate, became KWC's second modern day head football coach prior to the 1990 season. Before coming to KWC, Awrey was the Defensive Coordinator from 1986–1989 at NCAA Division III St. Lawrence University
St. Lawrence University
St. Lawrence University is a four-year liberal arts college located in the village of Canton in Saint Lawrence County, New York, United States. It has roughly 2300 undergraduate and 100 graduate students, about equally split between male and female....
. From 1990 to 1993 Awrey led the Panther football team to an overall record of 12–28. Awrey went 0–10 in his inaugural 1990 season. The 0–10 1990 team set the current school record for punt attempts by punting 81 times. Safety Chad Lyons and Defensive End Mitch Miller were named as 1991 NCAA Division III Pre-Season All-Amercicans. Awrey's 1991 Panhers finished the season with a win-loss record of 2–8. Following a 2–8 season, Randy Awrey's 1992 KWC Football Team Finished 4–6. During the 1992 season, the Kentucky Wesleyan defense set current school records for interception returns for touchdowns (3) and interception return yards (294). Prior to the 1993 football season, KWC moved from NCAA Division III football into NCAA Division II. In Awrey's final season he led the 1993 KWC football team to a 6–4 record for Kentucky Wesleyan's first winning football season. Awrey's 1993 team set the schools current single season records for passing completion percentage (55.7%) and defensive pass interceptions (21). In 1993, KWC Quarterback Brent Holsclaw (1991–1993) set the school's single season pass completion record with 207 completions. Holsclaw's 1993 55.8% passing completion percentage is also the single season school record. Also in 1993, Panther Defensive Back Troy Crissman (1993–1996) intercepted nine passes which is the current KWC single season record. During the 1993 season, Troy Crissman's nine interceptions led all NCAA Division III football players.
1994–2002
Prior to the 1994 football season John Johnson, a 1984 Northern Michigan UniversityNorthern Michigan University
Northern Michigan University is a four-year college public university established in 1899 located in Marquette, in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. With a population of nearly 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students, Northern Michigan University is the Upper Peninsula's largest...
graduate and former 3 year Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
assistant coach, was hired as the third modern day Head Football Coach at Kentucky Wesleyan College. From 1994 to 2002, Johnson's overall record at NCAA Division II Kentucky Wesleyan was 34–58. During Johnson's tenure, Johnson's overall record against NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, and National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics is an athletic association that organizes college and university-level athletic programs. Membership in the NAIA consists of smaller colleges and universities across the United States. The NAIA allows colleges and universities outside the USA...
(NAIA) teams was a winning record of 34–32. Johnson's 34 wins are the most by any Kentucky Wesleyan Football Coach. During Johnson's tenure KWC played against NCAA Division I-AA competition 26 times. Johnson had two winning seasons as KWC's Head Football Coach, 6–4 in 1997 and 7–4 in 1999. During Johnson's first two seasons he guided the 1994 and 1995 Panthers to 5–5 records. During the 1995 season, Wide Receiver Sedrick Robinson (1993–1996) set single season records for pass receiving yards (1,105), touchdown receptions (17), total points scored (116), and touchdowns scored (17). In 1996 the Panthers finished 3–8 despite having WR Sedrick Robinson catch a single season record 68 passes. Following a 3–8 season, the 1997 Kentucky Wesleyan Football Team opened its season at the University of South Florida
University of South Florida
The University of South Florida, also known as USF, is a member institution of the State University System of Florida, one of the state's three flagship universities for public research, and is located in Tampa, Florida, USA...
in Tampa Stadium. Tampa Stadium was the home of the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
from 1976–1997. The game was the University of South Florida's inaugural football game. The Panthers played in front of a University of South Florida (home game attendance) and Kentucky Wesleyan College (road game attendance) record crowd of 49,212. The 1997 Panthers lost their season opener to the University of South Florida 80–3, but the Panthers finished the 1997 season with a winning record of 6–4. The 1997 6–4 season, gave John Johnson his first winning season as KWC's Head Football Coach. The 1998 Panthers finished the '98 season with a 2–7 record. The 1998 team earned its two victories by going on the road and defeating Concordia University, St. Paul 24–7 and by winning the '98 KWC Homecoming Game 45–22 over Quincy University
Quincy University
Quincy University a private liberal arts Catholic university in the Franciscan tradition. It is located in Quincy, Illinois and currently enrolls around 1,300 students.-History:...
. Johnson's 1999 KWC football team won the most games in a single season in school history (7 wins). The 1999 team started the season 5–0 and rose to #1 in the NCAA Division II Non-Scholarship Poll by Don Hansen's National Weekly Football Gazette on October 17, 1999. The 1999 team started the season with 5 consecutive victories (20–14 at Eureka College
Eureka College
Eureka College is a liberal arts college in Eureka, Illinois related by covenant to the Christian Church and founded in 1855. It has a strong focus on the mutual development of intellect and character. Stated core values are learning, service and leadership...
, 48–15 versus Bethel College (Tennessee)
Bethel College (Tennessee)
Bethel University is a Cumberland Presbyterian college in McKenzie, Tennessee.-Biography:It was founded in 1842 in McLemoresville, Tennessee as Bethel Seminary, becoming Bethel College in 1850, and given a state charter in 1847, making it one of the oldest colleges to use the name "Bethel...
, 30–24 at Thomas More College, 51–35 at Westminster College, and 35–7 at Gannon University
Gannon University
Gannon University is a private, co-educational Catholic university offering associate's, bachelor's, and master's degrees, certificates and doctoral degrees and is located in Erie, Pennsylvania. Gannon University has an alumni base numbering around 31,500. Current enrollment is 4,238.Gannon's...
). The 5–0 start in 1999 tied a school record for consecutive victories. The '99 Panthers finished 7–4 overall, with 3 of those losses being to NCAA Division I-AA schools. The 1999 Panther Football Team finished the season as the #2 ranked team in NCAA Division II Non-Scholarship by Don Hansen's National Weekly Football Gazette. The 1999 team set school records for total offense (4,521 yards), touchdowns scored (73), tackles for loss (111), and for points scored (333). The '99 Panthers Finished 21st in NCAA Division II Football for Total Offense. Head Coach John Johnson was named the 1999 NCAA Division II Non-Scholarship National Coach of the Year by Don's Hansen's Football Gazette for guiding the Pathers to the most successful football season in school history. Linebacker Nick Boling (1997–2001) led the '99 Panthers with 88 tackles and was named the 1999 NCAA Division II Non-Scholarship Linebacker of the Year by Don Hansen's National Weekly Football Gazette. During the 1999 season, quarterback J.D. Meyers (1996–1999) threw for 25 touchdown passes. Meyers' 25 touchdown passes tied Eric Stockton's (1994–1995) single season school record for touchdown passes. DT Karl Bates (1997–1999), LB Nick Boling, and Punt Retuner Antonio Newton (1998–1999) were named NCAA Division II Mid-Major 1st Team All-Americans by Don Hansen's National Weekly Football Gazette (Quarterback J.D. Meyers and Wide Receiver Corey Jordan were selected as Honorable Mentions). The 2000 Kentucky Wesleyan Football Team finished 4–6 while setting KWC single season offensive records for pass completions (234), passing yards (3,035), passing touchdowns (27), passing yards per game (303.5), receiving yards (3,035), pass receptions (234), and receiving touchdowns (27). The 2000 Panther Offense led by QB Brian Hoffman, RB Drew Hall, FB Nic Vasilchek, TE Shaun Logsdon, WR's Anthony Melvin, Justin Kramer, Michael Cox and Corey Jordan, Offensive Lineman Mark Howell, Adam Fossett, Brian Price, and Jake Colson, finished 10th in NCAA Division II Football for Total Offense (434.4 yards per game). Wide Receiver Corey Jordan (1997–2001) was named the 2000 NCAA Division II Non-Scholarship National Receiver of the Year by Don Hansen's National Weekly Football Gazette. Jordan earned the honor by finishing the 2000 football season with 63 receptions for 890 yards (813.8 m) and 13 touchdown receptions. During the 2000 season KWC Running Back Drew Hall (1999–2000) scored 12 rushing touchdowns which set the school's current single season rushing touchdowns record. Hall also averaged 101.2 rushing yards per game during 2000, which is also the school's current single season record. Quarterback Brian Hoffman (2000) set the school's single season record for passing yards by passing for 2565 yards (2,345.4 m) during the 2000 season. Hoffman's 2000 season average of 256.5 passing yards per game set the single season record. The 2001 Panthers finished their season 1–9 by picking up a victory 35–28 at Quincy University. Following the 2001 season, WR Corey Jordan, LB Vince Brodt (2000–2003),and LB Frank Wintrich (1999–2001), were named NCAA Division II Mid-Major 1st Team All-Americans by Don Hansen's National Weekly Football Gazette. KWC Head Coach John Johnson's 2002 Panthers finished 1–10, while setting the schools current single season record for first downs (237). The lone win in 2002 was a season ending 37-17 victory over Bethel College (Tennessee)
Bethel College (Tennessee)
Bethel University is a Cumberland Presbyterian college in McKenzie, Tennessee.-Biography:It was founded in 1842 in McLemoresville, Tennessee as Bethel Seminary, becoming Bethel College in 1850, and given a state charter in 1847, making it one of the oldest colleges to use the name "Bethel...
on KWC Football Senior Day. Following the 2002 season, Panther Defensive Tackle Tommy Oglesby (1999–2002) was chosen as a first team defensive tackle on the 2002 All-Alliance Team by the NCAA Division II Independent Football Alliance. Also following the 2002 season, Offensive Lineman Jake Colson (1998–2002) was selected as a NCAA Division II Mid-Major 1st Team All-American by Don Hansen's National Weekly Football Gazette. Following consecutive one win seasons, John Johnson's tenure at Kentucky Wesleyan ended January 1, 2003.
John Johnson's Former KWC Panthers in the Arena Football League
Three of John Johnson's former Kentucky Wesleyan Football players have played in the Arena Football League (AFL). Former KWC Wide Receiver Anthony Payton (1994–1996) played four seasons in the AFL for New Jersey RedDogs (2000 and 2001), Buffalo Destroyers (2003), and Las Vegas GladiatorsLas Vegas Gladiators
The Cleveland Gladiators are an arena football franchise based in Cleveland, Ohio which plays in the Arena Football League. The team is part of the East division of the AFL's American Conference. The Gladiators play all of their home games at Quicken Loans Arena, which they share with the NBA's...
(2005). Panther standout Defensive Lineman Karl Bates (1997–1999) played seven seasons in the AFL for the Houston Thunderbears
Houston Thunderbears
The Houston ThunderBears were a team in the Arena Football League that operated from 1996-2001. The team was based in Houston, Texas. Home games were played at the Compaq Center. The team was known as the Texas Terror their first two years in existence before changing the name to the Thunderbears...
(2000 and 2001), New Jersey Gladiators (2002), Las Vegas Gladiators (2003), Detroit Fury
Detroit Fury
The Detroit Fury were an Arena Football League team. The team began play in 2001 and was based in Auburn Hills, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit, at The Palace of Auburn Hills, also the home of the NBA's Detroit Pistons. The team was co-owned by William Davidson, who owned the Pistons, along with...
(2004), Las Vegas Gladiators (2005), and San Jose SaberCats
San Jose SaberCats
The San Jose SaberCats are a professional arena football team in the Arena Football League. They began play as a 1995 expansion team. They played in the Western Division of the American Conference. Their final coach in the original Arena Football League was Darren Arbet, who will be a part of the...
(2006). Panther Wide Receiver Sedrick Robinson (1993–1996) has played seven years in the AFL for the Houston Thunderbears (2001), New Jersey Gladiators (2002), Las Vegas Gladiators (2003), Columbus Destroyers
Columbus Destroyers
The Columbus Destroyers were an Arena Football League team based in Columbus, Ohio. The team was founded in as the Buffalo Destroyers, based in Buffalo, New York, and relocated to Columbus in . They folded along with the original incarnation of the AFL following the 2008 season, after a total of...
(2004 and 2005), and Austin Wranglers
Austin Wranglers
The Austin Wranglers were an arena football team based in Austin, Texas. They played four seasons in the Arena Football League from 2004 to 2007 and spent one season in AF2, the AFL's developmental league, in 2008. They made playoff appearances in the AFL in 2006 and in AF2 in 2008...
(2006 and 2007).
2003–Present
Current Head Coach (2007) Brent Holsclaw, a former Kentucky Wesleyan Quarterback, was hired as the fourth modern day Kentucky Wesleyan Head Football Coach in January 2002. Following the 2007 football season, Holsclaw's overall record at Kentucky Wesleyan is 11–42. In Holsclaw's first season as KWC's Head Football Coach, Holsclaw's 2003 Panthers finished 1-9. The 2003 team defeated Webber International UniversityWebber International University
-External links:* -- Official web site* -- Official athletics web site* at -References:...
at home 33–30 in overtime for their lone win. Holsclaw's best season to date, came in 2004 when the Panthers finished 4–7 overall as first year members of the NAIA Mid-South Conference
Mid-South Conference
The Mid-South Conference is an athletic conference affiliated with the NAIA. Member institutions are located in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. It is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky....
. The Panthers were members of the NAIA Mid-South Conference in 2004 and 2005. During the 2004 season, Holsclaw's Panthers upset Campbellsville University
Campbellsville University
Campbellsville University, also known as CU, is a private university in Campbellsville, Kentucky, the seat of Taylor County. Founded as Russell Creek Academy, a Baptist institution, the university currently enrolls more than 3,000 students and is open to students of all denominations...
28-24. Prior to the 28–24 loss, Campbellsville was ranked #21 in the NAIA football top 25. The 2004 Panthers also defeated Cumberland University
Cumberland University
Cumberland University is a private university in Lebanon, Tennessee, United States. It was founded in 1842, though the current campus buildings were constructed between 1892 and 1896.-History:...
17-9 on the road, beat Union College
Union College
Union College is a private, non-denominational liberal arts college located in Schenectady, New York, United States. Founded in 1795, it was the first institution of higher learning chartered by the New York State Board of Regents. In the 19th century, it became the "Mother of Fraternities", as...
16-13 at Bullet Wilson Field, which gave possession of the John Wesley Trophy back to KWC, and The Panthers won the season finale versus Belhaven 17–14 at Bullet Wilson Field. The 2004 Panthers set the school's single season records for total tackles (632.5) and tackles for loss (113.5) The 2005 Panthers in their second season in the NAIA Mid-South Conference finished the 2005 season with an overall win-loss record of 3–7. In 2005, KWC Running Back Letiz Arnold gained 839 rushing yards on 149 carries. Arnold's 839 rushing yards broke Antonio Newton's (1998–1999) 1998 single season school record of 820 rushing yards. Arnold's 149 carries also set the school's single season record. Prior to the 2006 season, Kentucky Wesleyan left the NAIA and returned to NCAA Division II. KWC also became a charter member of the Great Lakes Football Conference. The 2006 Panthers finished 0-11, the eleven losses were the most in school history. The 2007 KWC Football Team finished 3–8 overall including a 1-4 record in the Great Lakes Football Conference. The Panthers started the 2007 season 0-4. The Panthers won their fifth game of the season, defeating Kentucky Christian University
Kentucky Christian University
Kentucky Christian University is a comprehensive baccalaureate level Christian university located in Grayson, Kentucky. It was founded on December 1, 1919, as Christian Normal Institute, by J. W. Lusby and J. O. Snodgrass. As a "normal school" its programs included a high school, a junior...
47–0 at Bullet Wilson Field/Steele Stadium. The 47-0 victory over KCU ended Kentucky Wesleyan's and Head Coach Brent Holsclaw's 17 game losing streak. The shutout was the first shutout recorded by the Panthers since the 1992 season. Strong Safety Greg Embers was named Great Lakes Football Conference Defensive Player of Week 6 by recording a game high 8 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, and a quarterback sack. KWC traveled to Lincoln University (Missouri)
Lincoln University (Missouri)
Lincoln University, a historically black college, is located in Jefferson City, Missouri. In 2007, according to U.S. News and World Report, Lincoln University was ranked #3 for economic diversity, #5 for campus ethnic diversity, and #9 for most international students among master's level...
for Lincoln's homecoming during Week 8 of the 2007 season. The KWC Panthers defeated Lincoln 35-13 for the Panthers second victory of the season and their first ever GLFC win. Quarterback Chris Owen was named Great Lakes Football Conference Offensive Player of Week 8 by rushing for 54 yards (49.4 m) on 8 carries with 2 touchdowns while also completing 19 of 32 passes for 247 yards (225.9 m) and another touchdown. The Panthers won their third game of the 2007 season by defeating LaGrange College
LaGrange College
LaGrange College is the oldest private college in the U.S. state of Georgia. Affiliated with the United Methodist Church, it is located in LaGrange, Georgia, with an enrollment of about 1,000 students. The student-to-faculty ratio is 11:1...
35–21. The 2007 season ended with a loss at Missouri-Rolla, ending the Panthers season with a 3–8 (1-4 GLFC) record. Several Panthers received 2007 post-season honors. D2Football.com named six Panthers to the D2Football.com All-Independent team. Safety Greg Embers received first-team honors. He finished second on the team in tackles (73.5) and tackles for loss with (12). Embers also finished the 2007 season with two sacks, one interception, one pass breakup, forced four fumbles and recovered two fumbles. Ron Rapier (Free Safety), DaMarcus Ganaway (Wide Receiver 3rd team kick return), and Alex Temple (Defensive End) were named to the D2Football.com second team. Alex Temple (2004–2007) finished his KWC career as the all-time leader in sacks (31.5) and tackles for loss (65). Clay Durham (LB) and Brandon Hodnett (K) were named to the D2Football.com third team. Nine KWC Panthers were named to the 2007 All-Great Lakes Football Conference team following Kentucky Wesleyan's second season in the Great Lakes Football Conference. Alex Temple was named as a first-team defensive end. Wide Receivers DaMarcus Ganaway and Josh Smith were named to the GLFC second team. Clay Durham, Greg Embers, Kenneth Lewis, Josh Abell, Matt Grey and Joel Lopez were named to as honorable mentions.
Football career leaders
Former KWC Running Back Jeremy Sleet (1994–1997) is the school's all-time rushing leader with 1,853 career rushing yards. Sleet is also the schools career leader in rushing attempts (363). Running Back Bobby Ratcliff (1991–94) is the career rushing touchdowns leader (23). Quarterback J.D. Meyers (1996–1999) is the school's all-time leader in pass attempts (1,033), pass completions (519), passing yards (7,440), and passing touchdowns (64). Former UConnUniversity of Connecticut
The admission rate to the University of Connecticut is about 50% and has been steadily decreasing, with about 28,000 prospective students applying for admission to the freshman class in recent years. Approximately 40,000 prospective students tour the main campus in Storrs annually...
and KWC Quarterback Brian Hoffman (2000) is KWC's career leader in passing percentage (54.1%) Wide Receiver Sedrick Robinson (1993–1996) is the KWC football career leader in receiving yards (3,328), receptions (191), touchdown receptions (42), all purpose yards (5,601), total points scored (298), touchdowns scored (46), kick return yards (1772), and kick return touchdowns (2). Defensive Back Ryan Davis (1991–1994) is the school's career leader in interceptions (21) and interception return yards (298). Linebacker Brian Sieder (1994–1997) is the career leader in tackles (347). Defensive End Alex Temple (2004–2007) is the KWC football career leader in quarterback sacks (31.5) and tackles for loss (65). Kicker Shawn Payne holds the career field goals made record with 22 field goals made from 2001–2004. Punter Steve Wolf (1983–1986) is Kentucky Wesleyan's All-Time Leading Punter in punting yards (7,401) , punting attempts (193) and average yards per punt (38.35)