Blueboys Stop Greenville in Season Opener

JACKSONVILLE, Ill. – The Illinois College football team used a balanced offense and a stingy defense to post a 28-9 victory over Greenville in the season opener on Thursday night at England Stadium.

IC 28 GU 9
The Blueboys never trailed in the contest after scoring the opening points of the season when Tyson Elliott found Timothy Middleton II from 40 yards out with 5:33 to play in the first quarter. 

In the second quarter, Greenville got a field goal with 5:49 remaining, but IC was able to increase its lead late in the frame when Elliott and Kyle Leonard connected on an 11-yard strike, to give the Blueboys a 14-3 halftime lead.

IC increased its advantage in the third period when Elliott found Middleton II again, this time from 35 yards out. After Toby McTamney drilled his third straight extra point, the Blueboys led 21-3.

The fourth quarter saw IC close out its scoring when the combination of Elliott and Leonard clicked for a second time in the game, this one coming from seven yards out. Mia Gerger then became the first female to ever score a point for the IC football program when she split the uprights on the ensuing extra point with 7:25 remaining.

The Panthers scored their lone touchdown with 5:19 to play for the final points of the night.

IC's offense posted a balanced evening, passing for 252 yards while picking up 118 on the ground.

Elliott, making his first career start, went 22-for-30 for 252 yards and four touchdowns. Middleton latched on to four passes for 82 yards and two scores, while Leonard was on the receiving end of seven balls for 57 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Tanner Spencer led the ground attack with 54 yards on 15 carries. Lleyton Miller added 44 yards on nine tries.

The IC defense held the Panthers to 209 total yards, led by Cam Dailey's nine tackles. Blaze Helton added seven stops, and Drake Stuart recorded six.

Blue Notes
The Blueboys have now won 17 of their past 19 regular-season games, and IC has also won 22 of its last 26 games overall.

Up Next
The Blueboys continue the current homestand when they open Midwest Conference play against Lake Forest on September 13th. Kick-off is set for 1:00 p.m. at England Stadium.