Ryan Hawk's 37-yard FG lifts Valparaiso past NAIA-Indiana Wesleyan 20-17

VALPARAISO, Ind. — Ryan Hawk kicked a 37-yard field goal with 5:24 left and Valparaiso escaped with a 20-17 win over NAIA-member Indiana Wesleyan in the Beacons' home opener Saturday night.

The Beacons opened the season with losses to Northern Iowa and Youngstown State on the road.

Valparaiso took a 14-0 lead after Michael Mansaray scored on a 33-yard first-quarter run and Caron Tyler threw six yards to Chris Gundy to start the second.

Indiana Wesleyan responded when Roosevelt Cage ran 28 yards for a touchdown and Kyle Antoine threw a 17-yard touchdown to Ryan Whitewell with 2:49 left in the third to make it 17-14.

Indiana Wesleyan tied the game with 9:16 left on a 34-yard field goal by Josh Clifton.

Tyler was 8 of 17 passing for 70 yards and a touchdown and carried 18 times for 115 yards to lead Valparaiso. Mansaray added 97 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries.

Antoine was 19 of 36 passing for 218 yard and a touchdown with two interceptions for the Wildcats. Cage added 70 yards on nine carries.