Record-Shattering Day for IC Football

Box Score

JACKSONVILLE, Ill. – The Illinois College football team came into this weekend having played one of the toughest schedules in all of NCAA Division III. The combined records of the last four Blueboy opponents was 18-2 and IC found itself on a four-game slide for the first time since 2005. When Illinois College got back in the win column it was bound to be in a big way, but nothing could have prepared the fans who filled England Stadium on Family Weekend for what was to come. Behind more than 900 yards of total offense, the Blueboys slammed visiting Grinnell College by a score of 83-10 on Saturday afternoon to improve to 2-4 (1-1 Midwest Conference South). The Pioneers slipped to 1-5 (0-2 MWC South) with the loss.

In the contest, Illinois College set new school records for total offense (903 yards), which broke the record set a year ago by the Blueboys in their 74-68 triple-overtime loss at Rose-Hulman. Another record from that game a year ago was 36 first downs in a game. IC set a new standard in that category as well, moving the chains 39 times on Grinnell. Finally, the running game chewed up 484 yards on 57 carries, breaking the previous record of 465 yards (coincidentally, also on 57 carries) in a win over Hanover College in 2012. The final score represented the most points and the largest margin of victory for the Blueboys since an 87-0 win over Blackburn College all the way back in 1921.

For all the fireworks that were to come, things started slowly in the first quarter. The Illinois College defense stopped Grinnell on its opening possession and forced a three-and-out, but were forced to start from the seven-yard line after a solid punt from Graham Fisher of the Pioneers. In what would become a theme, the Blueboys picked up yardage in chunks though, going 93 yards in 10 plays to take 7-0 lead. Brady Huber took the ball in the last nine yards.

Next was Grinnell's turn for a long drive. The Pioneers started on their own 28 and moved the ball 47 yards in 14 plays, converting on two third downs and a fourth down before Fisher connected on a 42-yard field goal. The Blueboys would actually be stopped on their next possession and Grinnell took over at the IC 43. The Pioneers only gained a yard on three plays, and with the wind at their back, decided to attempt a 59-yard field goal. Fisher's long-range effort came up short and IC returned the miss to its own 13-yard line to begin the second quarter.

With backup quarterback Danny Modelski given the keys to the offense for a drive, the Blueboys went to the running game and advanced into Grinnell territory. On first down from the Pioneer 43, Modelski lateraled back to Jason Barbour and Barbour found Andy Webb for a touchdown pass that opened the floodgates.

Early in Grinnell's next possession, quarterback TR Jones was intercepted by Dinari Ellis and the senior weaved his way for 41 yards and a pick-six touchdown to increase the lead to 20-3, though the Pioneers were able to get a hand up and block the extra point attempt. After a quick three-and-out from Grinnell, Huber took back over at quarterback and completed passes of 27 yards to Dyllan Bailey and 39 yards to Kyle Obertino to put the Blueboys at the Grinnell two-yard line. Bailey did the rest from there, romping up the middle into the end zone.

Later in the second quarter, Huber scrambled for 11 yards on a 3rd and 10 to keep the chains moving and an 11-play drive would eventually end with an 18-yard touchdown run from Greg Cross to increase the lead to 34-3. Another three-and-out from the Pioneers put the Blueboys back on the attack and Modelski moved IC downfield until he completed a short pass to Logan Uyetake that the sophomore took to the house from seven yards out, making it 41-3 at the break.

Things didn't slow down in the third quarter. The Blueboys received the opening kick and moved 78 yards in 10 plays to cash in a 21-yard Huber-to-Uyetake strike that made it 48-3. Illinois College then went solely to the ground game on the next drive, rushing six times for 81 yards – including a 40-yard Modelski run up the gut – to increase the margin to 55-3.

After a fumble from IC that gave Grinnell a rare stop, Jones was intercepted by Austin Ellsworth in the Illinois College red zone to stop the threat of a score from the visitors. Quarterback Blake Matson took over at the IC 11 yard line and hit Tyler Hamm for a 21-yard gain to move the ball out towards midfield, then connected with Webb and the junior wideout sprung loose from a crowd of Grinnell defenders to go for the 55-yard touchdown catch.

Before the third quarter would end, Grinnell would get back on the board with a 20-yard touchdown catch by Henry Cummings, but that was quickly answered by Illinois College. A short return by the Blueboys had them starting on their own 16-yard line, but Cross exploded through a hole up the middle and galloped 84 yards, making it 69-10 entering the fourth.

In the final quarter, Illinois College added two more touchdowns. Matson escaped some pressure on a third-and-short, rolled right and completed a pass to a wide open Zach Reische who then rumbled in the rest of the way for a 44-yard touchdown pass. The final touchdown came from another freshman, Cody Beile, who was unstoppable on the final drive of the game for the Blueboys. On his first six carries of his collegiate career, Beile went for 56 yards and scored with 2:28 remaining to cap the huge victory.

Huber was the leading passer for Illinois College, completing 12-of-17 for 194 yards and a touchdown. Modelski was 6-of-11 for 62 yards and another score, while Matson was 3-for-3 for 120 yards and two touchdowns.

On the ground, Cross scampered for 116 yards and two scores on only five carries. Modelski carried 10 times for 111 yards. Starting running back Bo Davis had eight carries for 71 yards and Bailey had eight carries for 49 yards. 

Defensively for Illinois College, Meeko Reddick was the leading tackler for the Blueboys with seven tackles (one solo) and Josh Brooks had six (four solo) as well.

Illinois College will look to keep the offense rolling next week on the road. The Blueboys will travel to take on Lake Forest College on Oct. 24 at 1 p.m.