Blueboys Football Earn Home Victory Over Monmouth 20-17

JACKSONVILLE, Ill. - The Illinois College football team continued Midwest Conference play hosting Monmouth College Saturday afternoon. The Blueboys battled through the trenches and earn a huge victory over the Fighting Scots by the final score of 20-17. This victory marks the first time IC has defeated Monmouth since the 2014 season. IC improves to 3-1 overall and 2-1 in the MWC. 

The Blueboys were led by starting quarterback Destin Chance as he threw for 264 passing yards and two touchdowns. Thomas Little had a spectacular game in the backfield as he led IC with 144 rushing yards while catching four passes for 39 yards. Collin Brunstein led the Blueboys receiving core with seven catches for 148 yards and a touchdown. 

Defensively, IC had two huge interceptions from Malik Byndom and Cameron Jones and held Monmouth to just three points in the second half that helped propel toward victory. Charlie Patterson was flying all around the field and led IC with 13 tackles that included a sack for nine yards. Cameron Bailey also recorded a sack for six yards. 

IC received the ball to start the game as Little has three straight carries and a reception of 12 yards that got the Blueboys in Fighting Scots territory. IC continued to march down the field to the Monmouth two-yard line. On 4th and 2, Toby McTamney made the 19-yard field that gave IC the early 3-0 lead. Monmouth responded with an opening-drive touchdown led by starting quarterback Carter Boyer as he ended the drive with a six-yard rushing touchdown. Monmonth took the 7-3 lead. 

With just under five minutes remaining in the first quarter, Chance and Little had back-to-back carries that got near midfield. On 4th and 2, and in their own territory, Chance connected with Brunstein on a 58-yard touchdown that gave IC the 9-7 lead. McTamney's successful extra-point kick gave IC the 10-7 advantage as that scored ended the first quarter. 

On the first play in the second quarter, Monmouth's Boyer connected with Nate Thornton for a 13-yard touchdown that gave the Fighting Scots the 14-10 lead. On the next Monmouth drive, IC's Byndom intercepted Boyer that gave the Blueboys great field position near midfield. Chance connected deep to Brunstein for 41 yards that got IC in the redzone. McTamney capped off the drive with a 19-yard field goal that cut the deficit to one at the half. 

Monmouth received the ball to start the second half. Boyer led the Fighting Scots offense down into Blueboys territory where the drive was capped off on a 26-yard field goal from Cody Szelc. Szelc's extra-point gave Monmouth the 17-13 lead. On the next IC drive, Little rushed for 32 yards on three carries that started the drive. On 4th and 5, Chance connected with Little on a 10-yard pass that got IC into the striking distance. Two plays later, Chance connected with Cameron Lewis for a five-yard touchdown that gave IC the 20-17 lead.   

The IC defense battled all game and shutout the Fighting Scots in the fourth quarter that sealed the victory. 

The Blueboys will travel to Chicago, Illinois for a MWC matchup against the University of Chicago next Saturday, October 7 at 1:00 PM.