Game Leaders
Team Stats
Passing Yards
Rushing Yards
Turnovers
Time of Poss.
The Millikin University football team survived a determined Bluejays team, brutal weather conditions and a rash of injuries to defeat Elmhurst College 14-13 on October 20 in Elmhurst, Illinois.
Trailing 13-7, Millikin scored the game winning touchdown with 5:22 with quarterback Cal Pohrte connected with Tyrice Hines on diving catch in the end zone for a 33-yard touchdown. The William Raibley extra point gave Millikin the 14-13 advantage. The Big Blue defense held the Bluejays on their final possession securing the victory.
The game featured unfavorable weather conditions in the first half with gusting winds 30-40 miles per hour and temperatures dropping from 50 to 35 degrees in a matter of minutes. The second quarter included a sleet storm lasting several minutes.
The Big Blue started the game without starting quarterback Nicco Stepina and linebacker Nikia Averitte and a number of injured defensive backs. During the game the Big Blue would lose several other key players to injuries including its top two running backs.
The team aspect of the Big Blue was on display as new players entering the game made the most of their opportunities.
Elmhurst opened the game with an 18 yard pass from Jake Tahaney to Jim Robley.
Jazontae Howard answered for Millikin with a six yard run to tie the game in the second quarter.
Kaiden Truninger added to fields goals to give Elmhurst the 13-7 lead.
Howard finished the game with 18 carries for 142 yards all coming in the first half. Howard missed the second half with an injury. Freshman Richard Cosey had 21 carries for 62 yards and Kame'Ron Graham, seeing his first varsity action, had four carries on the final drive for 10 yards. Pohrte 5-18-1 passing for 79 yards.
Millikin had 312 yards passing including 233 yards rushing. Elmhurst had 277 yards of total offense.
For Elmhurst, Tahaney was 7-11 yards passing for 95 yards. Ben Holloway rushed for 86 yards.
Matt Brown and Davion Jefferson led Millikin with eight tackles each. Brown had 2.5 tackles for a loss and Gabe Xayathone added two tackles for a loss.
Millikin improves to 6-1, 5-1 while Elmhurst goes to 1-6, 0-6.
The Big Blue host Illinois Wesleyan in a battle for the top spot of the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin on Saturday, October 27 at 6 p.m.