WAUKESHA, Wis. – The Elmhurst football team scored 14 second half points, including the game-winning touchdown with less than two minutes remaining, to rally past Carroll University 17-14.

Trailing 14-3 at the half, Elmhurst outscored Carroll 14-0 in the second half while improving to 2-2 in the CCIW.  The Bluejays improved to 2-4 overall and snapped a two-game skid in the process while Carroll fell to 1-4 overall and 1-2 in league play.
 
Elmhurst took a lead late in the first quarter on a 32-yard Blake Bailey field goal, but Carroll answered back with a 19-yard touchdown run from Colton Bahling early in the second quarter. The extra point attempt was missed, keeping the Pioneers' lead at 6-3.
 
Carroll made it 14-3 just before the half. Taking over at the Elmhurst 20-yard line with just under four minutes remaining, the Pioneers ground out a seven-play scoring drive. Facing a fourth-and-goal from the one-yard line and with one second left on the clock, Bahling plunged into the end zone. Bahling connected with Lucas Luedke on the two-point conversion to put Carroll up 11 at the break.
 
Elmhurst's defense came up with a big stand to start the second half. Carroll marched to the Elmhurst 10-yard line but the Bluejays turned the Pioneers away and took over on downs. The stop led to the Bluejays' next points as Orlando Hernandez connected with Jawan Gaines for a 42-yard scoring strike to pull Elmhurst to within four points at 14-10.
 
The Bluejays' defense stopped Carroll again inside the top-25 yard line at the end of the third quarter to keep the Bluejays' deficit at just four points. The two teams traded punts for much of the fourth quarter with Elmhurst pinning Carroll at their own 10-yard line with just under five minutes remaining. Elmhurst's defense came up huge again, stripping JJ Keels of the football at the Pioneers' 15-yard line. Sean Kelly recovered to give the Bluejays the ball back with a short field to work with.
 
A 10-yard run from Ben Halloway pushed the ball to the Carroll three-yard line. The Pioneers stopped Elmhurst on first and second down, but on a third-and-goal from the one-yard line, Brock Bethke plowed into the end zone to give Elmhurst the lead with just 1:39 remaining.
 
Carroll pushed the ball to the Elmhurst 42-yard line on its ensuing possession, but the Bluejays forced another turnover on downs. After a three-and-out by the Elmhurst offense, Carroll had one last chance in the closing seconds, driving to the Elmhurst 43 yard line before a hail mary was broken up by the Bluejays.
 
Carroll outgained Elmhurst 310-242 and won the time of possession battle by three minutes, but Elmhurst's defense stopped the Pioneers on fourth down on 3-of-4 occasions. The Bluejays also stopped Carroll repeatedly on third down, allowing just four first down conversions on 15 attempts.
 
Halloway paced Elmhurst on the ground, carrying 16 times for 72 yards. Hernandez added 18 carries for 36 yards while also passing for 126 yards and a touchdown. Hasahn Austin was the Bluejays' top target, catching four passes for 53 yards.
 
Keels led Carroll on the ground with 67 yards on 18 carries. Bahling rushed for 35 yards and two touchdowns while also completing 15-of-30 passes for 165 yards. Parker Zitzke hauled in nine passes for 88 yards.
 
Storm Miller led Elmhurst's defense with 10 tackles while Joe Nixon finished with eight. John Rubino recorded six stops, including 2.5 tackles for loss.
 
Elmhurst plays at Carthage College next Saturday, October 14.