Decatur, IL – Millikin University Football was in action on Saturday evening, taking on the Vikings of North Park University in CCIW conference play. The Big Blue won a late thriller, the final score 31-27 Millikin.
Millikin got the scoring started early in the first, when
Sylas Gomez tossed a touchdown to
Quintin Loquasto to get the Big Blue on the board, 7-0. Millikin was able to keep North Park off the board in the first quarter, and led 7-0 after one period.
It was the home side who once again would hit the endzone in the second quarter, with
Joshua Ware plunging in from two yards out to cap a 17-play, 77 yard scoring drive. With Millikin leading 14-0, the Vikings scored a touchdown on their ensuing possession to cut into the MU lead. The visitors then capitalized on a pair of Big Blue turnovers to pull in front, leading 20-14. Millikin trailed by six at the halftime break.
Out of the intermission, Millikin marched 76 yards in nine plays, culminating in a
Giovanni Natale 26-yard field goal to halve the deficit to three points. With Millikin down 20-17, North Park tacked on another touchdown, extending their advantage to double digits with 6:41 to play in the third quarter. The Big Blue trailed 27-17 after three periods.
Opening the fourth quarter, North Park had a chance to seal the deal with a two-score lead early. Receiving the ball near midfield, Millikin's defense stepped up to force a three-and-out. The Big Blue offense then did it's part, putting up a 99-yard drive over 14 plays, with the scoring play coming in the form of a 34-yard shot play from Gomez to
Amir Nixon. With 4:31 to play, Millikin attempted a surprise onside kick, and it was
Tramell Windham who fell on the loose ball to give the home team control at midfield. Nine plays and 56 yards later, Ware powered into the endzone to give Millikin the lead with 37 seconds to play. On the final drive,
Latrell Hannon put the game to bed with an interception, and the Big Blue ran out 31-27 winners.
Sylas Gomez completed 32 of 42 passing attempts for 317 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
AJ Lee led Millikin rushers with 71 yards on 13 attempts.
Amir Nixon led Big Blue receivers with 12 catches for 130 yards and a touchdown.
Bransen Peters was the leading tackler on the night for Millikin, with six total tackles in the game. Hannon recorded the interception, as well as a pair of pass breakups.
"I'm very proud of our team and how we played tonight." Said Head Football Coach
Billy Riebock. "We had every reason to be down on ourselves at halftime, and we responded in a positive way as a team. We're a young group still, and a lot of these guys are clearly playing for the name on the front of the jersey. It's something I love to see as a coach, and something I'm looking forward to seeing more of that as we continue to move forward. Go Blue!"
Millikin moves to 2-2 with the win, and 1-1 in CCIW play. The Big Blue are back in action on October 3, when they host Carroll University for homecoming weekend.
