Rock Island, IL – Millikin University Football was in action on Saturday afternoon, taking on the Vikings of Augustana College in CCIW conference play. The Big Blue were felled 49-41 on a day where the MU offense lit up the statsheet.
Augustana opened the scoring on the first drive, scoring in five plays to go up 7-0. Millikin answered with a 10-play, 65-yard drive that was capped off by an
AJ Lee three-yard rushing touchdown. The home team immediately scored a touchdown of their own, and looked prime to run away when the Big Blue turned it over on downs deep in Augie territory. However, an interception, followed by
Amir Nixon catching a 27-yard touchdown pass to end a 67-yard drive leveled the score at 14-14 early in the second quarter.
The teams traded punts before Augustana scored again with 7:58 to play in the half. The Big Blue then responded again, with
Cooper Christensen on the end of a 17-yard scoring strike on the end of a 75-yard drive. The Vikings scored with just nine seconds remaining to take a 28-21 lead into the locker room.
Out of the half, the home side capitalized on an early Millikin turnover to go up 35-21. The Vikings later pounced on a special teams error, blocking a Big Blue punt, and returning the loose ball for a touchdown to lead 42-21. Millikin was able to close the cap to seven points with a pair of
Joshua Ware touchdowns in the first half of the final period. Augustana scored with 3:21 to play, pushing their lead to 14. The visitors wasted no time getting back within one, with
Justin White on the receiving end of a 42-yard deep ball with 2:41 to play. Millikin's onside kick wound up in Augustana hands, and the Vikings were able to run out the clock, 49-41 the final.
On a day where the visitors outgained Augustana by over 200 yards, Head Football Coach
Billy Riebock was pleased with Millikin's efforts throughout the game.
"I'm proud of the way our kids competed and continued to fight throughout the game. We came up short, and ultimately, we have to do a better job of executing in all three phases. There were opportunities for us to make the plays necessary to change the outcome, and we have to learn from those moments. We'll get back to work, correct the mistakes, and continue to grow as a team. Thank you to our fans for showing up and supporting these young men as they work to make you proud. go BLUE!"
Sylas Gomez was 29 of 40 through the air for 286 yards and three touchdowns with one interception.
AJ Lee led Millikin rushers with 101 yards and a touchdown.
Justin White led Big Blue pass catchers, hauling in 10 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively,
Bransen Peters led with 12 tackles, and
Anthony Washington registered one tackle for loss.
Latrell Hannon and
Tyreon Key each recorded interceptions, with Key picking up an additional breakup.
Millikin drops to 2-4, in 1-3 CCIW play. The Big Blue are back home next week when they welcome Illinois Wesleyan to Frank M. Lindsay field. Kickoff is set for 6 PM.
