Game Leaders
Team Stats
Passing Yards
Rushing Yards
Turnovers
Time of Poss.
JACKSONVILLE, Ill. - Grinnell College's football team may have dropped a 14-7 decision at Illinois College Saturday afternoon, there were positives galore to take away from the contest.
The point total allowed by the Pioneers' staunch defense was the lowest GC has surrendered to IC since 2006 and margin of victory by the Blueboys is their smallest over the visitors since 2010 (the last time Grinnell beat the Blueboys).
Illinois College not only scored nearly 20 points less than its season average, but was well under its average yardage. The Blueboys, who are piling up more than 300 yards per outing, were held to 274 by the Pioneers.
Grinnell (1-7, 1-6 Midwest Conference) fell behind 14-0 by halftime after the hosts scored touchdowns in each of the first two quarters.
After being forced to punt on its first drive of the second half, Grinnell got the ball back almost immediately with a pickoff by Alex Costello '29 which was returned 28 yards to the 18-yard line of Illinois College (6-2, 5-2 MWC). Four plays resulted in 12 yards before Lucky Carton '27 scored from 6 yards out. Ben Bortel's '29 point after made it 14-7 with 8:14 left in the third quarter.
Grinnell had one more chance to tie or go ahead with a 15-play, 52-yard drive that began near the end of the third period and lasted into the fourth. Carton had three huge runs for first downs, with the longest of those 10 yards.
The Pioneers got as far as Illinois College's 31-yard line before an interception halted the series. The Blueboys ran out the clock from there to eke out the victory.
Adrian Stubbs '28 led Grinnell's defense with 11 tackles, while Luke Konczal '29 added seven and Adam Whalen '26, Peyton Williams '27 and Breck Bishop '26 tallied five each.
Carton broke the century mark in rushing for the second game in a row, gaining 109 yards on 23 attempts. Jack Reed '27 and Vincent Shen '29 led the receiving corps with three catches for 23 yards and two for 21, respectively.
Grinnell closes out its season with two home games, beginning next Saturday against Lawrence University. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m.