JACKSONVILLE, Ill. – Someone get this man a (Homecoming) crown.
After an injury, reserve quarterback Bobby Tedesco stepped up to lead the MacMurray College football team to a 20-13 win over Iowa Wesleyan in their Homecoming contest.
Sophomore Asa Donaldson's last-minute end zone plunge proved to be the game-winner, crossing the goal line with 39 seconds on the clock.
MacMurray remains perfect in UMAC play, improving to 5-1 overall, 5-0 in the conference. The Tigers slip to 1-6, 1-4.
KEY STATS
On an extremely windy day in Illinois, Tedesco was an efficient 8 of 11 for 103 yards, while gaining 37 yards with his legs.
Donaldson gained 100 rushing yards and scored once. Tedesco scattered the ball to six different receivers on the afternoon, with Ian Leib hauling in two catches for 43 yards.
CJ O'Rourke and Corben Edwards each tallied 12 total tackles. While only recording three tackles, all of Javon Muhammad's tackles were for a loss, including two sacks.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Following a scoreless first quarter, the Tigers drew first blood on a 1-yard run early in the second. A bad snap on the PAT forced the holder to attempt to throw the ball for a 2-point conversion, but he was brought down by the Highlanders well short of the goal line for a 6-0 advantage.
MacMurray responded on the ensuing possession, when Tedesco's 19-yard touchdown pass to Derrick Derr capped off an 8-play, 65-yard drive. Sophomore Noah Sandoval sailed the PAT through the uprights for a 7-6 lead midway through the second quarter.
With 25 seconds before the break, Iowa Wesleyan regained the lead courtesy of an 8-yard run. The visitors threatened to spoil MacMurray's Homecoming with a 13-7 lead at the half.
Iowa Wesleyan received the ball out of the half. Poised to add to their lead, the Tigers were set up for a 45-yard field goal attempt with the wind at their backs. Senior Ezechukwu Nwagbaraji blocked the IWU field goal, keeping the deficit at six points.
The block proved to be a momentum shift for the Highlanders, as they scored on the ensuing possession. A Tedesco keeper evened the score at 13. Sandoval's PAT was blocked.
A tremendous effort by Devonta Preston to down the ball on a MacMurray punt pushed the Tigers to their own 4-yard line. A short drive allowed the Highlanders to get the ball back with great field position – at the IWU 44 with 3:21 to play.
Tedesco found Nick Valentine, who was forced out of bounds at the 2-yard line. After rushes for no gain and a gain of one, Donaldson forced his way through the Tiger defense for the game-winning touchdown. Sandoval's PAT was good, sending the Highlanders home with a 20-13 win.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Allowing just 13 points – including a shutout in the second half – MacMurray leads the UMAC in points allowed per game (16.0) and yards allowed per game (283.3).
O'Rourke sits fourth in the conference in tackles/game (9.2) while Muhammad continues his tear up front, leading in TFLs/game (3.92) and sacks/game (2.0).
This was the first time all season MacMurray was trailing at halftime.
Struggling from the red zone all season, the Highlanders were a perfect 3 for 3 in red zone opportunities.
NOTABLE QUOTES
Head coach Chris Douglas on the win: "We did an awesome job today … We definitely made some mistakes but the defense did a great job keeping them out of the end zone."
Douglas on the offense: "Bobby was smart with the ball today and kept us alive a few drives with his legs … Asa was very physical running the ball and stepped up when we needed it … Our offensive line keeps getting better every week."
O'Rourke on the defense: "We came out slow but we really picked it up in the second half … It was great being able to shut them out in the second half."
O'Rourke on Tedesco: "He was very prepared and went out and executed today, that's all we can ask."
Tedesco on the opportunity: "I had to step up after that injury … We preach next man up … Both sides of the ball had my back today."
UP NEXT
MacMurray travels to Greenville College (2-5, 2-3) on Oct. 27. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
Homecoming Kings: MacMurray bests IWU
/seasons/2018/boxscores/20181020_s3lj.xml
2018
Iowa Wesleyan
13
MacMurray
20
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa Wesleyan (1-6) | 0 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
| MacMurray (5-1) | 0 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 20 |
Oct 20, 2018