GALESBURG, Ill. - Though the Illinois College offense dominated the ground game, Knox College did enough to stop IC from making multiple trips to the end zone, dropping the Blueboys by a score of 20-6. IC now sits at 2-5 (1-2 Midwest Conference South Division).
The opening drive of the game produced a score for Knox College. Ty Straw broke through the middle for a 13-yard gain that found him standing in the Illinois College end zone. Following the point-after from Jesus Flores, the Prairie Fire held a 7-0 lead early on. IC looked to threaten on its first drive of the game, marching the ball down to the Knox 25-yard line. However, an interception would nullify the drive. The Blueboys were able to force a three-and-out to get the ball back, and rushes from
Jason Barbour and
Seth Ferguson brought IC into the Prairie Fire red zone before the first quarter came to a close.
The Blueboys were stopped on their first three plays of the second quarter, forcing a fourth-and-four from the Knox 14-yard line. IC opted to go for it, but
Drew Chance's pass to
Allen Smith fell incomplete. Knox took advantage of the failed conversion and punished IC for it. The Prairie Fire marched 86 yards in less than five minutes for the score, with Jacob Amaro throwing his first touchdown of the day. After a blocked PAT, Knox led, 13-0, midway through the second quarter. The Blueboys were forced into another three-and-out, but on the ensuing punt, the Knox receiver fumbled the catch, and Illinois College was able to recover.
Drew Chance used the momentum to fight for a 13-yard rush for a touchdown, capping off a 45-yard drive following Knox's miscue.
Zack DeWitt's extra point was blocked, so IC trailed by seven, 13-6.
Illinois College had one more chance before the first half came to an end to knot the game up, but Chance had another pass intercepted, stopping the drive in its tracks. IC had a nearly unstoppable rushing game, picking up 117 yards in the first half. Knox dominated the air, however, through for 156 yards over IC's 63.
The start of third quarter did not fare well for the Blueboys. On their second drive, Knox forced a fumble on the first play, with the Prairie Fire recovering to have great field position. Knox managed to push the ball down to the Illinois College one-yard line, but the IC defense held, stopping the fourth-down attempt. However, that put the Blueboys deep in their own territory, and they weren't able to pull out of it.
Logan Smith's punt traveled 21 yards, being downed at the 28-yard line, putting Knox in a great spot again. The Prairie Fire capitalized, as Amaro found Hunter Lee for the score, which extended the score to 20-6.
Illinois College only had two drives in the fourth quarter, and the Blueboys were unable to push into Knox territory on either of them. The defense held Knox out of the end zone for the rest of the game, which ended with Knox picking up the Midwest Conference win. Barbour finished with 80 rushing yards to lead the Blueboys. Chance finished with 150 yards in the air, as well as 40 on the ground.
Mason Farris grabbed six catches, while
Glen Gibbons Jr. reeled in 56 yards for IC.
The Blueboys return home for the last game at England Stadium for the year on October 27. IC will host Grinnell College, with the game kicking off at 1 p.m.
