BELOIT, Wis. - The Illinois College football concluded the 2023 regular season with a visit to Beloit College Saturday afternoon. The Blueboys defeating the Buccaneers by the final score of 56-7. For the first time in program history, IC football win the 2023 Midwest Conference Championship. IC will now advance to the NCAA tournament next Saturday. 

The Blueboys football team has shattered numerous records and continued the trend by breaking two additional records in the victory against Beloit. In the first quarter, IC's Charlie Patterson sacked Beloit's quarterback which broke the MWC single-season tackle for loss record with 24.5 tackles for loss. Late in the second quarter, IC's Collin Brunstein broke the NCAA single-season receiving touchdown record with 29 receiving touchdowns.  
 
The Buccaneers received the ball to start the game and did not have any positive yards on their opening drive. IC's Patterson busted through the line and caused a safety as Beloit's quarterback was flagged for intentional grounding in the endzone. On the first offensive drive for IC, Chance led the team into Buccaneer territory when Toby McTamney drained a 21-yard field goal that made the score 5-0. 

Fifteen second later, IC's Jamie Hendrix intercepted the pass from Jacob Shafer and returned it 32 yards for a touchdown that increased the lead to 12-0. Shortly later, IC's Keane Shaw made an incredible over-the-shoulder interception and returned it 50 yards for a pick-six. Late in the first quarter, Chance launched a deep ball to Brunstein for a 47-yard touchdown that made the score 26-0.

Early in the second quarter, Chance connected with Brunstein on a 10-yard touchdown pass that increased the lead to 33-0. On the next IC drive, Thomas Little busted up the middle for a one-yard rushing touchdown. As the first half was coming to a close, Chance found Brunstein for a 19-yard touchdown. That receiving touchdown by Brunstein broke the NCAA record for the most receiving touchdowns in a season with 29. IC took the 46-0 lead into halftime.   

IC received the ball to start the second half as Chance marched the offense down the field that resulted in a 31-yard field goal from McTamney that made the score 49-0. On the next Beloit drive, the Buccaneers added their only score of the game with a two-yard rushing touchdown from Drake Marquez. IC responded with a scoring drive that resulted in a nine-yard rushing touchdown by Little that generated the final score of 56-7. 

The Blueboys now advance to the NCAA Division III Football Tournament and will find out their opponent at the Selection Show tomorrow Sunday, November 12 at 4:00 PM. The Selection Show will be aired on www.ncaa.com.