Box Score DUBUQUE, Iowa - Scottie Williams rushed for 159 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Elmhurst College football team to a 36-0 season-opening victory at Loras College.

Loras couldn't slow the Bluejays' ground attack as Elmhurst carried 49 times for 296 yards, averaging 6.0 yards per carry. The Bluejays added 110 yards through the air to finish with 406 total yards.

Elmhurst's defense recorded its first shutout since the 2010 season by limiting the DuHawks to only 169 total yards of offense while also forcing a pair of turnovers.

George DeMaria picked off a Dylan Jones pass on the opening drive of the game and returned the ball 18 yards to the Loras 28 yard line. Two plays laster, Williams raced into the end zone from 21 yards out to put Elmhurst on top 7-0.

Loras looked to put a drive together on their next possession, moving 83 yards in 21 plays and eating up over 11 minutes of clock, but Stephen Ritter jarred the ball loose from Ryan Baez and Ryan Johnson recovered the loose ball at the Bluejays' 13-yard line.

Elmhurst wasted little time capitalizing on the turnover. The Bluejays marched 91 yards in 12 plays and took a 14-0 lead on Williams' one-yard touchdown plunge.

The Bluejays made it 21-0 before the half, driving 85 yards in 12 plays. Facing a fourth-and-goal from the one, Williams leaped over a pile of Loras defenders for his third touchdown of the game.

Elmhurst's special teams helped lead to a touchdown in the second half. The Bluejays pinned Loras inside their own 10-yard line on a Sean Sullivan punt. Ritter then returned a punt 29 yards to the Loras 17-yard line to set up the Bluejays' next score.

Two plays later, Williams raced around the side for an 11-yard for his fourth touchdown of the day.

Elmhurst added a touchdown early in the fourth quarter when Vince Gabrys scored on a four-yard run out of the wildcat formation.

David Tomis booted a 42-yard field goal midway through the fourth quarter to account for Elmhurst's final score.

Williams led the Bluejays with 159 yards and four touchdowns on 20 carries. He averaged 7.9 yards per touch. James Richardson added 45 yards and Craig Swift rushed for 37.

Joe Furco finished 9-of-13 for 110 yards to lead Elmhurst's passing attack. Gabrys caught three passes for 35 yards.

Loras was led by Ryan Baez's 125 rushing yards on 31 carries. Jones finished only 4-of-12 for 35 yards through the air.

Wayne Tuckson led Elmhurst's defense with six tackles. Ritter, Alec Giles and DeMaria finished with five tackles apiece. Eric Vincent and Andrew Goor each recorded a sack.

Elmhurst hosts Trine University next Saturday (September 8). Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.