Box Score KENOSHA, Wis. - Trailing 14-7 at halftime, the Elmhurst football team outscored Carthage 34-10 in the second half en route to a 41-24 victory.

With the victory, Elmhurst improved to 8-1 on the season and equaled a school record for wins. Only the 1978 and 1980 Bluejay squads had ever won eight games in a season.  The Bluejays also improved to 5-1 in CCIW play, and coupled with a Wheaton win over North Central, moved into a first-place tie at the top of the CCIW standings. The Bluejays can earn a share of the CCIW Championship with a win over Illinois Wesleyan next week.

Elmhurst, ranked 25th in the latest AFCA poll, took a 7-0 lead on its opening drive of the game, moving 80 yards scoring on a 55-yard touchdown run from Scottie Williams.

Carthage (3-6, 1-5 CCIW) answered right back, driving 69 yards and knotting score on a 19-yard touchdown run by AJ Simoncelli.

The Bluejays sputtered on offense for the remainder of the half. After consecutive punts, the Bluejays missed two field goals and threw two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown) to fall behind 14-7 at the half.

The Bluejays started quickly in the second half. After a three-and-out on defense, Elmhurst drove 56 yards and scored on an 11-yard touchdown pass from Joe Furco to Williams.

Elmhurst's defense came up big on the ensuing Carthage possession as Simoncelli fumbled the football and Stephen Ritter came up with loose ball. After the Bluejays' drive stalled, Michael Leiva put Elmhurst on top with a 43-yard field goal

Jamall Lane picked off Simoncelli on Carthage's next drive and the Bluejays capitalized, marching 91 yards in just seven plays to take a 24-14 lead on a 13-yard scoring strike from Furco to Corey Thonn.

After Carthage was forced to punt, Elmhurst scored on its fourth straight possession of the second half when Furco scored on a 22-yard run to put Elmhurst on top 31-14.

Carthage made a late surge in the fourth quarter, scoring 10 straight points on a 35-yard field goal from Brett Bukari and a 12-yard touchdown pass from Simoncelli to Nick Gremley with 5:31 left on the clock.

Elmhurst put the game out of reach on its next drive as Furco faked an option pitch and cut through a hole in the Carthage defense for a 42-yard touchdown run. Furco's second touchdown run of the game put Elmhurst on top 38-24. After Carthage turned the ball over on downs, the Bluejays tacked on a 25-yard field goal from Leiva to make the final score 41-24.

Elmhurst rolled up 527 yards of total offense while limiting Carthage to just 316 yards. The Bluejays ran a balanced offensive attack, passing for 276 yards and rushing for 251.

Furco accounted for four touchdowns in the win. The senior quarterback carried four times for 62 yards and two scores and completed 29-of-41 passes for 276 yards and two touchdowns. Williams continued his assault on the record books, rushing for 170 yards and a touchdown on just 20 carries. He moved into third place in CCIW rushing history with 3,317 yards in conference contests. Thonn hauled in seven passes for 57 yards and a touchdown to lead the Bluejays' receivers.

Simoncelli powered Carthage's attack, rushing for 52 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries while also finishing 26-of-50 through the air for 227 yards and a touchdown.

Jamall Lane led Elmhurst's defense with 12 tackles and a pair of interceptions. Wayne Tuckson and George DeMaria each finished with seven tackles.

Elmhurst hosts Illinois Wesleyan University next Saturday (November 10) at 1:00 p.m. The Bluejays can clinch a share of their first CCIW title since the 1980 season with a victory. Elmhurst will also be playing for its ninth win of the season which would set a new school record and also leave the Bluejays in contention for an at-large selection to the NCAA Championship.