Kenosha, WI – Millikin University Football was in action on Saturday, taking on the Firebirds of Carthage College in CCIW conference play. Millikin was defeated in overtime, the final score 25-18.
The Big Blue opened the scoring on the first drive of the game, a 20-play drive that saw the visitors march 84 yards and chew up over 10 minutes of clock in the process.
AJ Lee was the touchdown scorer, punching in from three yards out. Carthage responded with a TD of their own, and the teams were tied after one quarter.
After trading punts, it was Millikin who went ahead with 9:32 to play in the first half. It was Lee again, this time rumbling in from 31 yards out to cap a seven play, 63-yard drive. Lee also rushed for a two-point conversion, and the Big Blue led 15-7. After several more drives stalled out in both directions, Millikin used good starting field position for
Giovanni Natale to knock through a 32-yard field goal in the waning seconds of the half. Despite recovering an onside kick, Millikin was unable to convert into more points, and led 18-7 at the break.
In the second half, the Firebirds held the Big Blue off the scoreboard entirely. The Big Blue were forced to punt twice, also turning the ball over on downs once. It was just enough for the home team to find 11 unanswered points on back-to-back drives in the fourth quarter, which tied things at 18-18. The Carthage offense did overcome a pair of interceptions forced by Millikin, one of which came at the goal line on the final play of regulation. The game remained deadlocked as the clock hit zeros, and the teams headed into overtime.
Carthage scored on their first overtime possession, and a Millikin fumble on the ensuing possession ended the game, 25-18 the final score.
Sylas Gomez completed 17 of 30 passing attempts for 140 yards, adding 38 yards on the ground.
AJ Lee led all rushers in the contest, with 117 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries. For the second straight game, Lee also led receiving efforts for the Big Blue, with 34 yards on five catches.
Bransen Peters led Millikin tacklers with nine stops on the day, and Millikin got sacks from
Johnathan Saul Jr. and Jordan Federick.
Tejuan Smith and Saul Jr. also came up with the interceptions for Millikin.
"Appreciate the fight of our team but our lack of execution and attention to detail was unacceptable as we look to take the "next step" as a program. Glad God made tomorrows because we will get up, learn from this, and have 100% maximum accountability to a man. Go BLUE! The WORK Continues!" said Head Football Coach
Billy Riebock.
The Big Blue drop to 3-5, 2-4 in the CCIW with the loss. Millikin is back in action on October 31, when they travel to Elmhurst University.
