LIVINGSTONE (0-1) at KENTUCKY WESLEYAN (0-1)

Steele Stadium — Owensboro, Ky. — Today, 1 p.m.

Video: www.kwcpanthers.com

Live stats:  www.kwcpanthers.com

  2016 RECORDS: Livingstone, 2-8. Kentucky Wesleyan, 5-6.

LAST WEEK: Livingstone fell at Benedict, 28-15; KWC lost at Division I Murray State, 67-7.

COACHES: Livingstone — Daryl Williams’ record is 15-25, in his fifth seasons. Four seasons prior to Williams taking over, the Blue Bears were 2-38, so progress has been made. Kentucky Wesleyan — Brent Holsclaw is in his  15th season and is the longest tenured head coach in Kentucky Wesleyan football history.  Holsclaw’s record at the school is 40-112. The 2014 season marked the most successful season in Holsclaw’s tenure. The Panthers compiled their first 7-4 season since 1999.

SERIES:   Saturday marks the first time that Kentucky Wesleyan and Livingstone have met on the gridiron.

KEY PLAYERS: Livingstone — Quarterback Thaddeus Bell, a sophomore, played the second half in relief of injured starter Xavier Longerbeam, last week at Benedict. Bell also started a few games last year and how he handles the spotlight today is big for the Blue Bears. “Bell looks ready to embrace this opportunity,” Williams said of the 6-2, 220-pounder from Duluth, Ga.

Williams hopes that the offensive line, with a game now under its belt, will perform better; Look for running back Jarius Richardson to bounce back with a big game, redemption after a key fumble against Benedict.

Richardson rushed for 72 yards against Benedict, 49 on one play. Receiver Everett Ransom had four catches for 58 yards.

Defensive back Elems Ukru had an interception and fumble recovery last week and will be trying to build on those stats. Defensive lineman Armond Cox, a senior All-CIAA player, seems poised for a big game and season.

Kentucky Wesleyan — QB Mike McGee, a red-shirt sophomore, got off to a rough start against Murray State last week, throwing four interceptions. That number equaled his INTs for 2016, when he saw only part-time action, completing 56 percent of his passes (71 of 126); Dylan Byrd, a 5-8, 170-pound senior, returns at running back; the top returning receiver is Trey Waltermire, a 6-3, 210-pound junior tight end. Waltermire caught two passes for 43 yards last week, including a long of 40 yards.

Kentucky Wesleyan was out-gained 457 yards to 159 (129 passing and 30 rushing) last week at Murray State.

Livingstone and Kentucky Wesleyan had one common opponent last year  — Davidson. Both teams lost to Davidson, the Panthers losing 35-21 and Livingstone falling to the Wildcats, 38-12.

NEXT WEEK: Livingstone plays up, visiting Division I Hampton University, Sept. 16, at 6 p.m. Kentucky Wesleyan travels to Kentucky State.