Millikin 42, Illinois College 31
Jacksonville, Ill. — Wilson's Record Breaking Day
Carries Big Blue Football to Win over Illinois College
The Millikin football team opened its 2010 season in record
setting fashion when Dion Wilson rushed for a school record 278
yards to lead the Big Blue past Illinois College 42-31.
Wilson gained his 278 yards on 34 carries to set a new Millikin
record for rushing yards in a game. The old record was 249 yards
and was set in 1992 by Mark Ambrose. Wilson had five touchdowns on
the day.
Wilson started the scoring on Millikin's opening drive when
he scored on a three yard run to put the Big Blue up 7-0 after the
Chris Hunt PAT. Wilson carried the ball on seven of the drives
eight plays. The drive covered 47 yards and was set up by a 40 yard
kickoff return by Kody Smith to start the game.
On Illinois College's first possession, the Blueboys punter
Jordan Marks bobbled the snap and was forced to run with the
football. Marks lost 14 yards on the play and gave Millikin the
ball at the Illinois College six yard line.
Wilson then put Millikin up 14-0 on a four yard run.
Wilson would score from eight yards out to put the Big Blue on top
21-0 with 9:18 left in the second quarter.
Illinois College added a touchdown before half on a Chase Davis
run and it was a 21-7 at halftime.
With just over eight minutes left in the third quarter Wilson
scored on a 28 yard run to put Millikin up 28-7.
An Illinois College field goal and a three yard touchdown pass
from Mitch Niekamp to Brock Doehering cut the Millikin advantage to
28-17.
Millikin then answered by early in the fourth quarter on a 10 yard
touchdown pass from Luke Hockaday to Chris Hampton who made a one
handed catch as the entered the end zone on a slant pattern.
Illinois College kept fighting and scored on a Davis two yard run
with 2:27 left to play to make it 35-23.
Millikin iced the game on a 13 yard Dion Wilson run with 1:39 to
play to make it 42-23.
Illinois College scored in the final minute on a seven yard
touchdown pass to make it 42-31.
Wilson's 278 yards propelled the Big Blue to 306 yards
rushing while the Millikin defense held Illinois College to minus
four yards rushing.
The Blueboys got its offense through the air throwing for 367
yards.
Kody Smith had a strong game for Millikin with 159 all purpose
yards including 57 in kickoff returns and 94 yards in punt
returns.
Niekamp was Illinois College's top offensive performer going
36-54-3 for 367 yards and two touchdowns.
Sully Edwards was the Big Blue's top tackler with nine total
tackles including three tackles for a loss. Chase Gruening has five
tackles with 1.5 sacks and three quarterback hurries. The Big Blue
had three interceptions on the day with Sonnie Rollins, Cody Acree
and Josh Ingold all coming up with picks.
Ricky Padilla lead Illinois College with nine tackles. Erick
Beimfohr had eight tackles and two interceptions.
Millikin is off next week and will host Hope College on Sept. 18
at 1 p.m. at Frank M. Lindsay Field.
