|
Bluejays Can't Hold Off Cardinals
North Central Boxscore
ELMHURST, Ill. – The Elmhurst College football team fell just short in its bid to upset nationally ranked North Central College, falling 28-21 in the Bluejays’ homecoming game. The Bluejays slipped to 5-2 overall (2-2 CCIW) while North Central improved to 7-0 overall (4-0 CCIW).
Elmhurst had a 21-14 advantage in the fourth quarter, but North Central scored the final 14 points to come away with the win. The Bluejays had trailed 14-0, but scored 21 straight points to take the lead.
The Cardinals took the opening drive 64 yards to the Bluejay eight-yard line but missed a 25 yard field goal. After an Elmhurst punt, North Central drove 60 yards in nine plays with Kam Kniss capping the drive with a five-yard touchdown pass to Chuck Earnest.
The Bluejays had a chance to answer back on the ensuing drive. Elmhurst marched 51 yards in eight plays to the North Central nine-yard line. Facing a fourth-and-two, the Bluejays elected to attempt a field goal but narrowly missed the 25-yard attempt.
North Central went up 14-0 on its next possession as Kniss hooked up with Tyke Spencer for a 63-yard score. The Bluejay defense gave the team a spark when Kyle Maple (Kaneville-Kaneland) picked off a Kniss pass and returned it to the Bluejay 33-yard line. The Elmhurst offense went to work, marching 64 yards in 17 plays, converting twice on fourth down to get on the scoreboard. On a third and goal from the Cardinals’ two-yard line, Chris Kudyba (Des Plaines-Elk Grove) rolled out on a quarterback keeper and scampered into the end zone for the touchdown. The Bluejays’ extra point attempt was blocked and Elmhurst trailed 14-6.
Elmhurst capitalized on the ensuing kickoff. North Central’s Kevin Conway muffed a short kickoff attempt and Travis Rueckert (Hawthorn Woods-Lake Zurich) recovered the loose ball at the North Central 27-yard line.
Kudyba scrambled for 10 yards and then hit Terence Young (Chicago-DeLaSalle) for an 11-yard gain to the North Central six-yard line. After a five yard quarterback keeper moved the ball to the Cardinals’ one-yard line, Kudyba hit Matt Smith (Carol Stream-Glenbard North) for a one-yard touchdown pass. The Bluejays knotted the score at 14 when Kudyba hit Young for the two-point conversion.
The Cardinals had the first scoring chance of the second half, moving 78-yards in 10 plays only to miss a 27-yard field goal.
The Bluejays took the lead on the ensuing possession. After moving to the North Central 35-yard line Kudyba hooked up with Todd Evans (Bartlett-Glenbard North) for a 35-yard touchdown to put the Bluejays up 21-14.
North Central moved to the Elmhurst 41-yard line, but Kniss was sacked by Ward Brady (Bartlett-Glenbard North) forcing the Cardinals to punt.
After the Bluejays could not string together a drive and were forced to punt, the Elmhurst defense came up big again as Brady intercepted a Kniss pass that had been deflected by Elmhurst defensive back Kyle Grimes (Winthrop Harbor-Zion Benton). Despite taking over at the Cardinals’ 40-yard line, the Bluejays went three-and-out and were forced to punt.
North Central began moving on its next possession, driving to the Elmhurst 17-yard line. After three incomplete passes and a delay of game penalty, on fourth-and-15, Kniss slipped a pass through several Elmhurst defenders that was caught by Eric Stuedemann for a 22-yard touchdown, knotting the score at 21-21.
Elmhurst was held to a three-and-out again on its next possession and the Cardinals took over at their own 37-yard line. Kniss and Steve Holden drove the ball to the Elmhurst 25-yard line. Kniss put the Cardinals up 28-21 after scoring a 25-yard touchdown on an option keeper.
Elmhurst had one last chance. After starting at their own 17-yard line, the Bluejays moved to the North Central 29-yard line in just three plays. On first down, Kudyba completed a pass to Blake Veldhuis (Mt. Pleasant, Mich.-H.S.) to inside the North Central 15-yard line. However, after a discussion among the officials, it was ruled that Veldhuis stepped out of bounds before catching the pass and was not forced out by a Cardinal defender, negating the play and moving the ball back five yards. On first-and-15 Kudyba was sacked by Zach Pederson setting up a second-and-23. After an option running play went for two yards, Kudyba’s pass to Evans was incomplete. On fourth-and-21, Kudyba’s pass to Michael Cooley (Carol Stream-Glenbard North) fell short, securing the win for the Cardinals.
North Central generated 529 yards of total offense with 211 coming on the ground and 318 coming through the air. Elmhurst totaled 397 yards of total offense on 106 rushing yards and 291 passing yards. The Bluejays held over a five minute advantage in time of possession. Elmhurst was held to just 5-of-16 on third down conversions.
Eric Luna (Wadsworth-Carmel) led the Bluejays on the ground with 58 yards on 22 carries. Kudyba completed 25-of-37 attempts for 291 yards and two scores. Andy Brogan (Carol Stream-Glenbard North) was the Bluejays’ top receiver, catching seven passes for 80 yards. Cooley caught six ball for 62 yards.
Holden led the Cardinals’ ground attack with 143 yards on 25 carries. Kniss finished 21-of-35 for 318 yards and three touchdowns. Spencer was the Cardinals’ top receiver, hauling in eight passes for 103 yards and a touchdown. Steudemann caught seven passes for 103 yards and a score.
Zach Spears (Bolingbrook-H.S.) and Brady each finished with 12 tackles and three tackles for loss. Brady recorded 1.5 sacks and also had an interception.
Lenny Radtke led the Cardinals’ defense with 16 tackles, including 12 solo tackles.
The Bluejays will try to bounce back next Saturday (October 29) when they travel to Augustana College.
|
