Wilmington College will host Muskingum University in the 2011 Homecoming game 2 p.m. Saturday at Williams Stadium.

Wilmington (0-2 Ohio Athletic Conference, 0-3 overall) is coming off a 66-7 loss at No. 2 Union. The Muskies are now 2-0 in the OAC, 3-0 for the season after walloping No. 9 Ohio Northern, 27-7, a week ago.

"Mount Union is a great team, a great program. They also have incredible team speed," Wilmington head coach Ken Minor said. "We went into that game hoping to get some experience going against the best and to come out of it without any injuries."

For Wilmington, the schedule gets no easier with the high-flying Muskies coming to town. Counting Muskingum, Wilmington's first four opponents of the season bring a combined 11-1 record into play Saturday. Add that to a preseason scrimmage against nationally ranked Thomas More, and the Quakers have spent extensive time in the mix.

"It's been a tough run and Muskingum only makes it tougher," Minor said. "When you look at Muskingum's two-deep roster, everybody is a sophomore or older; they don't have any freshmen starting. What that tells me is that they have been building for this team, and they are quite confident in their season so far."

Wilmington's lone points against Mount Union were provided by a touchdown pass from Brandon Arehart (Wilmington) to Malcolm Heard II (Wilmington). Heard has made nine catches for 93 yards since joining the team two weeks ago. Kyle Blakeman (Wilmington) is among the OAC's leaders with 20 receptions for 277 yards and three touchdowns.

Muskingum is led by sophomore quarterback Dalton Smith, who is dangerous with his arm and legs. Against Ohio Northern, Smith passed for 160 yards and two touchdowns and ran for an additional 45 yards.

"Smith is a very talented young quarterback," Minor said. "We need to keep him in the box, but even if you do that he is 6-3 and uses his height to see all over the field. He has everything going for him."

The Muskies' defense applies enormous pressure at the point of attack and leads the NCAA in quarterback sacks and tackles for loss. Last week, the Muskies sacked Ohio Northern quarterbacks seven times. Leading the charge was senior linebacker Ethan Wetzel with 11 stops and a sack. For his efforts, Wetzel was named the OAC Defensive Player of the Week.

"The most impressive thing about Muskingum, to me, is the combination of their defensive line and linebackers," Minor said. "There are a lot of people who have sacks because they have excellent depth. They have three senior linebackers. They are quite the front."

Wilmington's defense continues to blend experience and youth. Senior linebacker Antwoine Shelton (Dallas, Texas/Duncanville) ranks No. 8 in the OAC with 27 tackles. Sophomore linebacker Matt McFadden (Sabina/East Clinton) and freshman cornerback Joe Joe Knecht (Lancaster) had 10 stops apiece against Mount Union.

"Our defense has been real solid for the most part. Our effort has been solid and we have a lot of new starters. Our coaching staff has done a great job in getting these kids to believe in themselves," Minor said.

Minor said the Homecoming game is a special opportunity for his team to pay tribute to tradition.

"For many years, the Homecoming game is the only game I saw because I was coaching high school football and was busy on Saturdays. I always made time for the Homecoming game, and I let our team know that this is the one game that most of the alums will come back to see and judge them by. I told them not to be judged by being lazy or not giving their best effort. Our alums want to see the enthusiasm and desire that defines Wilmington football," Minor said.