BLOOMINGTON - A familiar face returns to the Illinois Wesleyan football lineup in today's 1:30 p.m. College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin contest against Carthage.

Marcus Dunlop, the team's leading rusher despite missing one game, not only adds firepower to the Titans' offense, but the junior running back also brings a wealth of leadership onto the field.

"He's pretty demanding in a right way to our offensive linemen and they respond to that," said IWU coach Norm Eash, whose 1-3 squad will try to snap a two-game losing streak before a homecoming crowd.

The Titans dropped their CCIW opener last week at Augustana, 24-7, as the offense could only muster 125 yards without Dunlop, who suffered a high-ankle sprain in a loss at Mount St. Joseph three weeks ago. Dunlop, who ranks 15th on the IWU career rushing list and needs only 31 yards to pass Aaron Telford, has practiced all week.

IWU will probably start sophomore Nick Panno at quarterback for the first time this season because of an injury to Brandon Cotter (high-ankle sprain), suffered last week. Panno and junior Bryan Kelly have been sharing time with the first unit this week in practice.

''Brandon is questionable,'' said Eash. ''He did dress for practice Thursday, but didn't do much. We'll probably start Nick because he's a little quicker and faster than Bryan. Nick has always been our No. 2, but regardless who plays it won't change what we do much. We feel comfortable with either one of them in the game.

"I think we have a good offense that is capable of scoring points. We showed that in the first game. We're just in a rut, like a hitter in a slump. We need that breakout game to get our confidence going."

Carthage coach Tim Rucks knows IWU's offense can only be better with Dunlop in the backfield.

"They can be a very dangerous team, capable of making big plays," said Rucks. "They have one of the best receivers in the league in (Martin) Ceisel. They are a two-dimensional attack and force you to do things different defensively. "They fly to the ball well on defense and are better than their record."

The Titans' offense will be going against the No. 2-ranked defense in the conference in total yards allowed (233.8) and scoring (10.5). The Carthage defense also ranks third in turnover margin despite its offense turning the ball over four time in the second half last week in a 20-13 CCIW loss at Elmhurst.

"Our defense continues to get better each week and our offense has been moving the ball well," said Rucks, whose team has a 3-1 overall record. "But we haven't been able to score. We need to take advantage of our opportunities in the red zone."

The Red Men will be without six starters, including four on defense, because of injuries. Rucks didn't name names.

"They are all important, but we really don't concern ourselves a lot with injuries," said Rucks, whose team handled the Titans 42-7 a year ago. "Injuries are a part of the game and the guys who have replaced (the starters) have stepped up and responded."

Carthage returned nine of 11 starters on offense at the beginning of the season. They are led by Cleo Walker and second-team CCIW tailback Tyson Mengel, CCIW second-team tackle Ryan Glassman and sophomore quarterback Brennan O'Boyle. The Red Men have an all-senior offensive line that played together last season.

The defensive leaders are all-CCIW selections Donovan Moore (safety) and Brandon Fox (linebacker). Matt Denny is among the league's leading place-kickers.

"We've talked a lot about accountability this week," said Eash. "The desire is there among the players. They are trying so hard and want to win so bad that maybe they are trying to do too much. We need the players to focus on what their job is and make sure everyone is accountable for their job and responsibility.

"We can't look at our record at this point. We have to set little goals. Our goal is to play a good first quarter; a good half; a good three quarters; then finish the game off. I think the players understand that.

"I don't know if anyone has beaten us so much this year as we have taken ourselves out of games and we haven't made enough plays to win games."

Carthage vs. Illinois Wesleyan

Site: Wilder Field at IWU Stadium, Bloomington

Kickoff: 1:30 p.m.

Records: Carthage 3-1, 0-1 in CCIW; IWU 1-3, 0-1 in CCIW

Coaches: IWU's Norm Eash has a 117-66-1 in his 20th season and 87-51-1 in CCIW games. Carthage coach Tim Rucks is 59-52-1 in his 12th season with the Red Men and 68-85-4 in 17 years as a head coach.

IWU leaders: Rushing: Marcus Dunlop (243 yards, 1 touchdown); Passing: Brandon Cotter (60-114, 599 yards, 4 touchdowns); Receiving: Martin Ceisel (20 catches, 150 yards, 2 touchdowns); Scoring: Dunlop, Ceisel (2 touchdowns, 12 points); Mike Berry (2 FGs, 6 XPs, 12 points); Tackles: Bo Osburn (30)

Carthage leaders: Rushing: Cleo Walker (176 yards, 1 touchdown); Passing: Brennan O'Boyle (56-89, 545 yards, 1 touchdown); Receiving: Eric Haldeman (20 catches, 150 yards, 0 touchdowns); Scoring: Matt Denny (4 FG, 9 XPs, 21 points); Tackles: Dave Linn (26)

IWU injuries: Quarterback Brandon Cotter is questionable because of a high-ankle sprain.

Carthage injuries: Six starters (two on offense and four on defense) are out. Coach Tim Rucks did not give names

What to watch for

- Both teams are looking for their first CCIW win after opening-season losses last week. The Titans have lost two straight. Carthage has nine starters returning on offense, while its defense ranks second in the conference in total defense.

Points of interest

- This is IWU's homecoming game and the Titans are 27-14 in their last 41 homecoming contests. They have a 65-25 mark at home with Eash as coach.

- IWU is 33-17 vs. Carthage, but the Red Men have won three of the last four meetings, including a 42-7 victory a year ago. The Red Men were picked to finish sixth in the CCIW preseason poll, while IWU was tabbed for seventh.

- Marcus Dunlop needs 31 yards to move past Aaron Telford into 14th on the school's all-time career rushing list.

- Normal Community High School sophomore Nick Smith is a back-up center for the Red Men.

Talking the talk

- "We've talked a lot about accountability in practice this week. The desire is there. We just need everyone to handle their responsibilities.'' - IWU coach Norm Eash

- "Wesleyan is a dangerous team, capable of making big plays. They have one of the best receivers in the league (Ceisel) and a dangerous running back (Dunlop). They both are big-play threats." - Carthage coach Tim Rucks

Compiled by Bryan Bloodworth