Football team loses to Elmhurst, 64-14

ELMHURST, Ill. – The Olivet College football team lost 64-14 to Elmhurst (Ill.) College tonight before 1,755 fans at Langhorst Field in Elmhurst, Illinois.

The Bluejays led 30-0 after one quarter of play. Olivet got on the scoreboard when junior Edric Miller (Battle Creek/Central) capped a 13-play, 80-yard drive with a one-yard run into the end zone. Junior Blake Iobe (Marshall) made the PAT kick with 11:05 left in the second quarter.

Elmhurst returned the ensuing kickoff 77 yards for a touchdown. The Bluejays closed the first half scoring with a touchdown at the 6:41 mark. Elmhurst extended its lead to 51-7 with a touchdown on its second possession of the second half.

The Comets scored a touchdown with 12 seconds left in the third quarter when junior Tony Phillips (Lansing/Waverly) connected with freshman Jon Beach (Edmore/Central Montcalm) from nine yards out. The Bluejays scored twice in the fourth quarter to end the scoring.

Olivet totaled 281 yards of offense, including 132 yards on the ground. Miller led the rushing attack with 12 carries for 73 yards. Senior Mike Martin (Caledonia/Wayland Union) also had 12 rushes for 67 yards. Three quarterbacks combined to complete 18-of-33 passes for 149 yards. Phillips was 9-of-14 for 80 yards. Beach caught a team-high four passes for 23 yards. Defensively, junior Dominic Harder (Columbia, S.C./Irmo) recorded a team-high five tackles.

Elmhurst had 395 yards, including 233 rushing. Craig Swift had seven carries for 60 yards. Joe Furco completed 7-of-10 passes for 138 yards and three touchdowns. Rodney Payton topped the team with four receptions for 78 yards and two scores. Wayne Tuckson led the defense with 10 tackles.

The Comets will return to Illinois next Saturday for a 2 p.m. game at North Central College.