Decatur, Ill. – Millikin University football was in action on Saturday, when the Big Blue welcomed the Titans of Illinois Wesleyan for CCIW conference play. In the 119th meeting of a storied rivalry, Millikin was victorious in a late thriller, winning 42-35.
Illinois Wesleyan opened the scoring with 7:58 to play in the opening quarter. Millikin answered with an eight-play, 42-yard drive, which culminated in a 20-yard rushing score for AJ Lee. The game was level at 7-7 after one quarter.
Opening the second, Millikin shell shocked the opposition. After the Titans turned the ball over on downs, it took the Big Blue just two plays to go 56 yards, one of which was another 4-yard rushing score by Lee. Leading 14-7, the teams traded punts before yet another fourth-down stop by the Millikin defense. This time, it was a methodical, 10-play, 69-yard drive that Millikin scored on. The scoring play, reminiscent of the Philly Special, saw Sylas Gomez on the receiving end of a 10-yard touchdown pass from wide receiver Justin White. The home side's lead grew to 21-7, and the teams headed in for halftime.
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Out of the break, Illinois Wesleyan scored to pull back within one score, only for Millikin to score again, courtesy of Quintin Loquasto catching a 7-yard scoring pass from Gomez. After three quarters, the score was 28-14.
Illinois Wesleyan added a pair of touchdowns to tie the game with 8:03 to play. The Big Blue answered with an 11-play drive, going 73 yards to take the lead back when Lee punched in from 1 yard out. Now leading with 1:53 to play, Illinois Wesleyan needed just one play to tie the game back up, putting the Millikin offense back out with 1:38 on the clock. Big Blue fans did not have to wait long, as the third play of the drive saw Lee go 64 yards for a touchdown. The extra point put Millikin back up 42-35 with 1:01 left in regulation. Illinois Wesleyan advanced to the Millikin 12 but turned it over on downs, and Millikin kneeled out the clock, 42-35 the final.
"What a great night for college football!" said head football coach Billy Riebock. "Big Blue Nation, our proud supporters, and administration created an atmosphere that was second to none. So happy for our players and coaches who continued to "play the next play" no matter the results. Can't wait to get on the road for another great CCIW battle against Carthage. Go Blue! The WORK Continues!"
Sylas Gomez completed 18 of 24 passes for 236 yards and a touchdown, also catching one touchdown. AJ Lee finished with 148 yards on 20 attempts to lead all rushers in the game, also scoring four touchdowns on the ground. Lee also led Millikin receivers with 69 yards on four catches. Defensively, Keith Thompson led with six total tackles, including a tackle for loss.
It was a statement win for Millikin, which improves to 3-4 overall and 2-3 in CCIW play. The Big Blue travel to Carthage on October 24 to continue CCIW play.
