The Illinois Wesleyan football team traveled to France May 27-June 4, 2005, for an opportunity to play an exhibition game against La Courneuve Flash in Paris, then explore more of the country. After three days in Paris, the Titans traveled to Avignon and Nice.
Included among the sights seen in Paris were the Louvre Museum, the Eiffel Tower, the Cathedral de Notre Dame, and the Arc de Triomphe. A trip to Versailles .
The Titans traveled from Paris to Avignon aboard the high-speed TGV "bullet" train at speeds in excess of 180 miles per hour. While in Avignon, the group toured the Palais Des Papes (Papal palace), the largest Gothic palace in Europe.,
From Avignon, the tour continued to the small fishing village of Cassis, then on to Nice, where the players enjoyed the Mediterranean Sea beach scene. A day trip to Monaco and Monte Carlo was a popular diversion.
IWU 35, La Courneuve Flash 10 - Game Wrapup
PARIS, France, May 29 - Illinois Wesleyan earned what head coach Norm Eash hopes is the first of many wins of the 2005 football season in a 35-10 victory over the La Courneuve Flash on Sun., May 29 in Paris, France.
The Titans opened the scoring in the first quarter when Bo Osburn intercepted a pass from Brandon Shaver and returned it 78 yards to the Flash 5. On the next play; Marcus Dunlop ran the ball in the end zone.
A long Flash punt on their next possession pinned the Titans on their own 5 and two plays later Dunlop was tackled in the end zone for a safety.
Tom Kudyba ran in on two yard quarterback draw to start the second half scoring but the Flash scored on a 59 yard interception return by Patrick Coulon, converted a pass for the extra point and closed the
gap to 13-10 at the half:
Kudyba, who was chosen as the game's “MVP”, had a sluggish start at quarterback, going only 6 of 15 for 87 yards and 3 interceptions in the first half, but he closed well; running for another TD from 15 yards out to open the fourth quarter and completing a 10 yard pass to Nick Iovino to open the game up; 29-10.
Kudyba was 11 of 24 for 144 yards and his favorite receiver was tight end Brock Klein, who made four
grabs for 65 yards.
The Titans scoring ended when Osburn returned his second interception 39 yards for a TD.
“It feels great to get the win and now we hope it carries over to this fall,” said Osburn. “I thought the Flash had a lot of talent but we had more technique skills than they did.”
Dunlop finished with 101 yards rushing on 21 carries, Kudyba ran for 25 yards on 6 carries and Matt Maxwell had 23 yards on six carries as IWU amqssed 162 rushing yards.
LaCourneuve Flash managed only 55 rushing yards and 83 passing yards.
“Anytime you go to a foreign country and play against an athletic team, you have to be concerned,” said Eash, who now has won in Germany, Italy and France. “I think Bo's interceptions changed the course of the game and our defense was terrific. I saw many positives and think we have the makings of a good team that will challenge in the fall. It's good to start the 2005 season with a win.”
The team will tour Paris Monday then tour Avignon and Nice during the remainder of their weeklong excursion.
