WHEATON, Ill. - The Elmhurst football team slid to 3-5 on the season after falling to fifth-ranked Wheaton College 31-0. 

Elmhurst's offense struggled with the wet weather and the Thunder's defense, finishing the contest with just 200 yards of offense and turning the ball over five times to the Thunder.

The Thunder scored 24 of their 31 points off of the Bluejays' turnovers. 

Wheaton (8-0, 5-0 CCIW) capitalized on an Elmhurst fumble for its first score of the game. Andrew Bowers ripped off a 65-yard touchdown run to put the Thunder in front less than three minutes into the game. 

Wheaton extended its lead to 14-0 just over two minutes later. Elmhurst was driving in Wheaton territory when Orlando Hernandez's pass was picked off and returned 63 yards for a touchdown by Wes Cannonier

Wheaton added a field goal before the half after an Elmhurst interception to take a 17-0 lead into the locker room. 

The Thunder took the opening kickoff of the second half and drove 69-yards to go in front 24-0. Bowers connected with Andrew Lindquist on a 51-yard touchdown pass to cap the drive. 

Wheaton added a final touchdown in the fourth quarter on a Danny Puknaitis four-yard touchdown run. 

Elmhurst struggled with its offense, netting just five first downs in the loss. Elmhurst struggled to sustain any drives, finishing just 1-of-11 on third down conversion attempts and 0-for-2 on fourth down attempts. 

The Bluejays rushed for 184 yards while passing for just 16. Wheaton finished with 390 yards of offense, rushing for 256 and passing for 390.

Tyler Smith sparked the Bluejays' running game, totaling 151 yards on 15 carries in the loss. Hernandez added 15 yards on seven attempts. He completed 2-of-9 attempts through the air for 16 yards.

Bowers and Sola Olateju both eclipsed the 100-yard barrier for the Thunder. Olateju carried 21 times for 116 yards while Bowers rushed 16 times for 101 yards and a touchdown. Bowers finished 7-of-16 for 134 yards with a touchdown. 

Sean Wetherell led Elmhurst's defense with 12 tackles while Perode Charles also reached double figures in tackles with 11. Andy Warsen and John Rubino each finished with a sack in the loss. 

Elmhurst hosts Millikin University next Saturday, November 7.