|
Football Team Scores 25-21 Win at Millikin
Box Score
DECATUR, Ill. - The Elmhurst College football team rallied from a 21-10 fourth quarter deficit and held off a last second charge by Millikin to score a 25-21 road win.
The Bluejays overcame four turnovers and erased an 11-point deficit to snap a four-game skid. Elmhurst (5-4, 2-4 CCIW) also had to make a goal-line stand to preserve the win in the closing seconds.
Trailing 21-10 with seven minutes to play, Elmhurst's defense came up big, forcing and recovering a fumble at the Millikin 41-yard line. Four plays later Chris Kudyba (Des Plaines/Elk Grove) hit Matt D'Angelo (McHenry/East) on a 19-yard touchdown reception. Kudyba hit Ryan Freund (Johnsburg/H.S.) for the two-point conversion to cut the lead down to three.
The Bluejay defense held Millikin to a three-and-out on the ensuing possession and Elmhurst took over after at the Big Blue 43-yard line after a punt. Five plays later, Kudyba scored on a 6-yard keeper to put the Bluejays up 25-21.
The Bluejays forced another turnover on Millikin's next possession, but Elmhurst could not get a first down and was forced to punt with under 2:30 to play.
Starting at their own 29-yard line, Millikin drove to the Bluejays' 10-yard line with 28 seconds to play. After a five-yard penalty and a nine-yard completion, the Big Blue had to cracks at the end zone from the six yard line. After an incomplete pass on third down, the Big Blue's fourth-down pass also fell incomplete as the Elmhurst defense sealed the win.
After three consecutive turnovers, Millikin (2-7, 1-5 CCIW) jumped on the scoreboard first by taking advantage of the short field. Taking over at the Elmhurst 17-yard line after a Bluejay fumble, the Big Blue struck first when Drew Fendrich scored on a two-yard keeper.
Elmhurst answered right back, driving 84 yards in 11 plays, tying the game on a 13-yard pass from Kudyba to Freund.
Elmhurst struck first in the second half, driving to the Millikin 13-yard line early in the third quarter. The Bluejays settled for a Tyler Lomnicki (Elmhurst/York) 34-yard field goal.
Millikin responded with an eight-play drive capped by an Andy Dicken 7-yard pass to Frank Pohlman.
After a three-and-out, the Big Blue caught a piece of an Elmhurst punt and took over at the Bluejays' 48-yard line. Eight plays later, Dion Wilson scored on a 1-yard run to give the Big Blue a 21-10 lead.
Elmhurst outgained Millikin 432-290 with 177 yards coming on the ground and 271 yards coming through the passing attack.
David Wilharm (Elgin/Larkin) became the first Bluejay this season to rush for over 100 yards, carrying 25 times for 125 yards. Kudbya finished 24-of-41 for 271 yards and two TDs. D'Angelo was the top Bluejay receiver, catching five passes for 78 yards and a TD.
Millikin was led by Wilson's 72 rushing yards. Fendrich passed for 133 yards while rushing for 38 and a score. Matt Kormelink was Fendrich's favorite target, catching eight passes for 78 yards.
Patrick Ambriz (Wausau, Wis./East) led the Bluejay defense with 10 tackles.
Elmhurst closes out the 2007 season by hosting North Park University on Saturday, November 10, at 1:00 p.m.
|
