MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The 2018 season got off to a tough start for the Illinois College football team on Saturday night as Rhodes College held the Blueboys to less than 200 yards of total offense in a 21-0 win. IC (0-1) had a few good drives, but the Lynx never allowed the Blueboys into the red zone and IC had five possessions end either on a fumble or as a turnover on downs.
After each started the year off with a three-and-out, Rhodes took the lead midway through the first quarter with an 11-play, 49-yard drive. The Lynx converted on two fourth downs on the drive before Dontae Gray ran in from nine yards out to make it 7-0.
Illinois College moved into Rhodes territory at the end of the first quarter, but a fumble by
Drew Chance on a sack flipped the field. Though an ensuing fumble from Rhodes kept IC in possession, the Blueboys were forced to punt from deep in their own territory and the Lynx took over from the Illinois College 45. On a second down from the IC 4-yard line, PJ Settles rushed forward before fumbling the ball into the end zone. Charlie Mackey was on the spot to pick the football up in the end zone for the score and a 14-0 advantage.
In the middle of the second quarter, the Blueboys were once again on the move, making it to the Rhodes 25-yard line. Three straight incompletions from Chance made it fourth down however, and the Lynx pressured Chance and sacked him to turn the ball over on downs. Taking over on their own 27, the Lynx drove 73 yards and took over six minutes off the clock before a 10-yard touchdown pass from Settles to Jace Franklin made it 21-0 in the final minute of the first half.
The third quarter moved quickly and Illinois College was given poor field position to start nearly every drive. A drive starting on their own 27 went backward as a penalty and a sack forced the Blueboys to punt from their own 16. Though the defense stood firm, the next two drives in the quarter started from the IC 7-yard line and the IC 1-yard line. The Blueboys went 67 yards on the drive that began from their 1, but it fizzled out after 10 plays at the Rhodes 32.
As the fourth quarter ticked away, Illinois College had one drive end on a fumble and its final true chance at getting back into the game end after
Jason Barbour was stuffed on a 4th and 1 with less than three minutes to play.
Illinois College had some success through the air as Chance went 21-of-37 for 168 yards.
Glen Gibbons Jr. hauled in seven of those completions for 57 yards and he was matched by
Mason Farris who caught six balls for 57 yards.
Allen Smith added on three catches for 37 yards. The Blueboys were less successful on the ground where they were held to -17 net rushing yards in the game. Barbour was IC's leading carrier with 10 attempts for 13 yards.
Mike Koos led the way for the Illinois College defense with 10 tackles (seven solo).
Jaylin Swan added four tackles for a loss in the contest and
Eric Hasquin stopped a late Rhodes drive with a fumble recovery.
Illinois College makes its 2018 home debut on Sept. 8 with a 1 p.m. kick-off against Nebraska Wesleyan University.
