Box Score

WHEATON, Ill. - The Elmhurst College football team dropped to 4-4 overall and 1-4 in CCIW play after falling to 14th-ranked Wheaton College 38-7.

Wheaton (7-1 overall, 4-1 in CCIW play) rolled up 400 yards of total offense. The Thunder ran all over the Bluejays, rushing 55 times for 324 yards. Elmhurst turned the ball over three times leading to 14 points for the Thunder. 

After a scoreless first quarter, Wheaton opened the second quarter by driving 85 yards in 22 plays, taking nine minutes off the clock in the process. The Thunder drove inside the Elmhurst five-yard line, but the Bluejays kept the Thunder out of the end zone and Wheaton settled for a 19-yard field goal from Scott Roche.

The Thunder special teams helped set up the next score before halftime. Wheaton blocked an Elmhurst punt and recovered the ball at the Bluejays' 10-yard line. One play later, Sean Norris hit Austin Zoerhof for a 10-yard score. 

Wheaton took advantage of an Elmhurst mistake early in the third quarter. A muffed punt by the Bluejays resulted in Wheaton recovering the loose ball at the Elmhurst 39-yard line. Norris capped a four-play scoring drive with an 11-yard touchdown run.

Scottie Williams blocked a Wheaton punt to set up Elmhurst's only score of the game. Justin Gerkin recovered the ball at the Wheaton 11 yard line. Three plays later, Joe Furco tossed a one-yard touchdown pass to Alex Hammond to put Elmhurst on the board. 

Wheaton used a six-play, 79-yard drive to take a 24-7 lead early in the fourth quarter. Norris finished the drive by tossing a one-yard TD pass to Mike Bertucci.

On Elmhurst's next possession, Brian McMullen intercepted Furco and returned the ball 30 yards for a score to give Wheaton a 31-7 lead. The Thunder added a 14-yard Rocky Gingg touchdown run to seal the game in the final minute.

Charlie Velling carried 26 times for 171 yards to lead the Thunder on the ground. Gingg carried 17 times for 65 yards. Norris completed 8-of-19 passes for 83 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for 53 yards. 

Williams led Elmhurst on the ground with 12 carries for 37 yards. Furco completed 13-of-28 pass attempts for 123 yards and a touchdown. Ryan Gierke was the Bluejays' top receiver, catching five passes for 24 yards. 

Randy Wright led Elmhurst's defense with 15 tackles. Jon Janus recorded nine stops for the Bluejays.

Elmhurst hosts Millikin University on Saturday, November 7, at 1:00 p.m.