Decatur, IL – The Millikin University Football team looks to improve upon their three-win season in 2025, as the team prepares for it's season opener in Michigan on Thursday evening.
The rare midweek night contest will be Millikin's first action, coming off a 3-7 season, a campaign that saw Millikin snap a 20-game losing streak, and an 18-game CCIW losing streak. The Big Blue were 2-7 in CCIW play. The Blue and White won their season opener by 30 points over Luther, before picking up their first CCIW win in over two seasons with a gritty 22-17 decision over North Park University. Millikin hit a seven-game slide, dropping a majority of their conference slate, before rebounding to a 29-22 victory over Elmhurst University in the final game of the season. With the injection of energy, Millikin increased their scoring by nearly four points per game, and decreased their points allowed per game by over two whole touchdowns. Millikin racked up an additional 60 rushing yards per game compared to 2024. On the defensive side, the Big Blue decreased their total rushing yards allowed by roughly 80 yards per game.
This season, the Big Blue open play on the road against the University of Olivet on September 3. Millikin then returns home to take on Luther College on September 12. The Big Blue open CCIW conference play with a road game against nationally fifth-ranked Wheaton, before a pair of home games against North Park and Carroll. After a trip to Augustana, the Big Blue will return home to play Illinois Wesleyan. The home stretch includes road trips to Elmhurst and Carthage, before closing out the season against nationally top-ranked powerhouse North Central.
Millikin's 2026 playing roster comes in just over 120 student-athletes. Millikin features a number of transfers as well as freshmen. The Big Blue two-deep includes plenty of new faces, with freshmen making up seven of the 26 listed starting positions. All seven starters are on the defensive side of the ball, or on the special teams unit. Millikin's week one two-deep also features student-athletes recruited from 12 different states. Millikin has representation from it's home state of Illinois, and hometown of Decatur. Also represented are Texas, Missouri, Michigan, Florida, Louisiana, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Indiana, Ohio, California, and Colorado.
Key returners for the Big Blue include senior quarterback
Sylas Gomez, who racked up 1,599 yards and 10 touchdowns, adding five scores with his legs on the ground.
AJ Lee is set to take over duties as Millikin's starting running back. The Springfield, Illinois native averaged over five yards per carry in the 2025 season. The Big Blue also return top pass catcher
Kevin Louis, who led in receptions, yards, and touchdowns. On the defensive side of the ball, sack leader
Bryson Johnson and pass breakup leader
Latrell Hannon return to headline a turned over defensive lineup.
Billy Riebock, a Decatur, Illinois native, enters his second season leading the Millikin football program.
"I have really enjoyed being around this team. These guys are doing the right things on and off the field in practice, and I'm excited to see what we're able to do come game time." said Riebock of his 2026 roster. "We're blessed with a tight-knit coaching staff, and leaders on both sides of the ball. If we execute at the level where we practice, this group could help our program take another step forward."
Millikin will open their season in Michigan at the University of Olivet on Thursday evening, with kickoff set for 5 PM CT.
