Box Score

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - The Elmhurst College football team fell to 5-2 overall and 2-2 in the CCIW following a 35-24 loss at Illinois Wesleyan University.

Elmhurst led 10-7 at halftime, but Illinois Wesleyan (5-2, 2-2 CCIW) outscored the Bluejays 28-14 in the second half.

The Titans had an early 7-0 first quarter lead, but a one-yard touchdown plunge from Jarred Sherrod capped an 18-play, 73-yard scoring drive evened the score at 7-7. 

A Tyler Lomnicki 34-yard field goal gave the Bluejays a 10-7 lead at the break.

Illinois Wesleyan scored on their opening possession of the second half on a 42-yard touchdown pass from Kraig Ladd to Jack Scalcucci.  Ladd hit Rick Podkowa from 27 yards out midway through the third quarter to put IWU up 21-10.

Elmhurst cut into the lead at the start of the fourth quarter. Griffin Gibson capped an 8-play, 81-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run. Chris Kudyba hit Matt D'Angelo for a two-point conversion to cut the Titans' lead down to just three points.

IWU increased its lead with a three-yard touchdown pass from Ladd to John Meacham.  Elmhurst drove inside the Titans' 30 yard line on its next possession, but Kudyba was picked off by Adam Crouch in the end zone to end the scoring threat.

The Titans' offense capitalized on the turnover, driving 80 yards in seven plays, with Ladd tossing a five-yard touchdown pass to Tom Almano.

Elmhurst answered back with an 80-yard scoring drive with Kudyba hitting Matt Long from nine-yards out, to cut into the deficit. Illinois Wesleyan was able to recover the Bluejays' onside kick attempt and run out the clock to earn the 35-24 win.

Illinois Wesleyan finished with 423 yards while the Bluejays totaled 395. Elmhurst passed for 222 and rushed for 173, while Illinois Wesleyan passed for 330 and ran for 93 yards.

Gibson led the Bluejays on the ground, rushing 17 times for 102 yards and a touchdown. Kudyba completed 21-of-35 pass attempts for 216 yards and a touchdown. D'Angelo was Kudyba's top target, catching seven passes for 101 yards.

Ladd had a strong day for the Titans, completing 23-of-34 pass attempts for 330 yards and four scores. Almanso was the Titans' top receiver, hauling in seven catches for 64 yards.

Jon Janus led the Bluejays' defense with 10 tackles (seven solo). Randy Wright added eight tackles, including two tackles for loss.

Elmhurst hosts Wheaton College on Saturday, November 1.