Box Score Elmhurst, IL – Millikin University Football was in action on Saturday, taking on the Bluejays of Elmhurst University in CCIW play. The Big Blue were victorious by a final of 42-21.
 
Millikin opened the scoring as quickly as they could. A massive Tyreon Key kickoff return on the opening kick set up AJ Lee to find the endzone from eight yards out on the first offensive snap of the game. Leading 7-0, the Big Blue defense forced a punt, and two plays later it was Lee again, getting to the outside and dashing 61 yards to the house to double the Millikin advantage.

Just as the next Elmhurst drive started, Key snagged an interception. The Big Blue offense stalled out, but the visiting defense was up to the task, forcing another punt. Lee scored his third touchdown of the day with 14:54 to go in the second quarter, capping a 50-yard drive.

After another Bluejay punt, AJ Lee took to the spirit of Halloween, continuing to terrorize Elmhurst, scoring his fourth rushing score of the first half with 10:13 to go in the half. Neither offense could muster any scoring in the remainder of the half. Elmhurst managed to force two Millikin interceptions, but punted twice themselves, also turning the ball over on downs.
In the third quarter, the Millikin defense helped out on the scoreboard, when none other than Tyreon Key pounced on an unforced Bluejay fumble, returning the loose ball 65 yards for a touchdown. With Millikin leading 35-0, Elmhurst got on the board with 8:18 on the clock thanks to a 12 play drive. After a quick punt from Millikin, the Bluejays scored again to pull back within three scores. Millikin's lead was 35-14 after three quarters.

A promising Elmhurst drive was cut short by an interception, and Millikin used that opportunity to drive in the dagger, a 12-play, 80-yard scoring drive that saw Kenneth Atkins II score from one yard out. The Bluejays scored a late touchdown, but came up short, with their final drive ending on a goal line interception as time expired, 42-21 the final.
 
Sylas Gomez completed 16 of 22 passes for 176 yards, and Cooper Christensen was the leading Big Blue receiver at 53 yards on three grabs. Elmhurst will be left seeing ghosts of AJ Lee on Halloween evening, as the sophomore gashed the home team for 173 yards and four touchdowns on 21 carries.

Defensively, Millikin collected four sacks (Morell Burns, Jordan Federick, Bryson Johnson, Jameson McGee) and three interceptions (Tyreon Key, Jaymeson Connell, and Latrell Hannon). Sam Birany led with 10 tackles.

Millikin will be back in action on November 7, when they take on No. 4 North Central College on Senior Day.