smith, alonte
Ricky Esparza
33
Winner Millikin Mil 1-0 , 0-0
3
Luther Lut 0-1 , 0-0
Winner
Millikin Mil
1-0 , 0-0
33
Final
3
Luther Lut
0-1 , 0-0
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
Mil Millikin 7 6 13 7 33
Lut Luther 0 3 0 0 3

Game Recap: Football | | Morgan Vogels

Big Blue Kicks Off New Chapter with Statement Victory over Luther

The Big Blue football team opened their new era with Billy Riebock at the helm, looking to begin a new chapter after two consecutive winless seasons. Millikin traveled to Decorah, Iowa to face the Norse of Luther College, who were facing similar woes after going 1-19 the past two seasons.

The Big Blue got on the board first, capping off a 77 yard drive with a three yard touchdown run by freshman running back Re'John Zeno with 5:56 to go in the first quarter. 

Luther responded with a 42 yard field goal early in the second quarter. Then, it was all Big Blue. Quarterback Sylas Gomez connected with Kevin Louis on a 30 yard touchdown with 3:29 to go before halftime, giving Millikin a 13-3 lead heading into the halftime break.

The Big Blue capitalized on a Norse fumble recovered by Alex Araiza at the Luther 29 yard line, with Zeno scoring on the first play with a 29 yard touchdown run to give MU  20-3 lead. 

Another Luther turnover later on the next Norse drive, an interception by Zac Girard, led to Zeno's third touchdown of the day, this time on a 10 yard pass from Gomez with 10:05 left to tick in the third quarter. 

Zeno found paydirt once more with 4:27 remaining in the fourth, this time on a 2-yard rush to cap off a 10 play, 48 yard drive by the Big Blue. 

Gomez went 16-for-24 in his Millikin debut, passing for 184 yards and two touchdowns. Zeno made a name for himself in his first outing with the Big Blue, scoring four touchdowns, tallying 89 yards on the ground in 16 carries and adding three receptions for 37 yards.

Returner Darion Suber was the leading receiving, catching four passes for 51 yards.

Last year's leading tackler Araiza picked up right where he left off, notching nine total tackles and a sack.

With the 33-3 victory over the Norse, the Big Blue snap their 20-game losing streak and start the 2025 season off 1-0. 

Millikin will rest a week before meeting their first College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin opponent at Frank M. Lindsay Field when North Park University travels to town on Saturday, September 6 for a 6:00 PM start.
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