ELMHURST, Ill. - The Elmhurst College football team ran its record to 3-0 on the season by defeating the University of Chicago 31-6.
Elmhurst produced its best offensive output of the season by putting up 31 points and totaling 481 yards. The Bluejay defense also limited Chicago to only 46 yards on 26 carries.
After a slow start to the first quarter, the Bluejay offense go rolling late in the first quarter.
Taking advantage of good field position, Phil Pedi fired a 38-yard strike to Ryan Bock to give the Bluejays a first-and-goal from the Chicago nine-yard line. On the very next play, Scottie Williams found the end zone on a nine-yard touchdown run to put the Bluejays up 7-0.
After a Chicago punt early in the second quarter, Elmhurst's offense strung together an impressive 12-play, 84-yard drive with Pedi capping the march with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Rodney Payton.
Elmhurst tacked on a 35-yard field goal from Tyler Lomnicki to take a 17-0 lead at halftime.
Chicago jumped on the scoreboard late in the third quarter. Maroon's QB Marshall Oium found a wide open Dee Brizzolara on a 50-yard touchdown strike for Chicago's first points of the game. The extra points was missed, and Elmhurst led 17-6.
The Bluejays answered right back on their ensuing possession. Elmhurst drove 64 yards in seven plays with Joe Furco hitting Blake Veldhuis on a two-yard touchdown pass to give Elmhurst a 24-6 lead.
Elmhurst tacked on a score in the fourth quarter when Jimmy Jenkins ripped off a 55-yard touchdown run.
The Bluejays ran a balanced offense, rushing 44 times for 238 yards and passing for 243 yards. Chicago totaled 334 yards of offense with 288 yards coming through the air.
Jenkins led Elmhurst on the ground, rushing 11 times for 116 yards and a touchdown. Williams carried 10 times for 42 yards. Pedi and Furco combined to complete 15-of-24 passes for 243 yards and two touchdowns.
Pedi finished 10-of-15 for 154 yards and a score.
Ryan Bock was the Bluejays' leading receiver, catching three passes for 81 yards.
Mike Wuest led Chicago's ground attack, rushing three times for 27 yards. Oium finished 25-of-47 through the air for 287 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, Randy Wright led the Bluejays with 12 tackles, including 2.5 for loss. Brandon Jones added seven stops for Elmhurst.
Elmhurst kicks off CCIW play next Saturday, October 3, by travelling to Augustana College.
