Box Score DECATUR, Ill. – The Elmhurst football team slipped to 2-5 in the CCIW following a 41-7 road loss at Millikin University.
 
After trailing by just a touchdown (14-7) at the half, Elmhurst (2-7 overall) was outscored by Millikin 27-0 in the second half by Millikin (7-2/5-2 CCIW). Turnovers plagued the Bluejays in the second half as four interceptions resulted in 21 points for Millikin in the fourth quarter.
 
The Big Blue grabbed an early 7-0 lead after scoring on a 20-yard touchdown pass from Nico Stepina to Jordan Smith. Millikin made it 14-0 on its next possession, scoring on an eight-yard TD toss from Stepina to Gerald Perry.
 
Elmhurst cut the lead in half just before halftime as the Bluejays strung together their most impressive drive of the season, a 15-play drive that spanned 99 yards. Orlando Hernandez put the Bluejays on the scoreboard by capping the drive with a 24-yard touchdown run.
 
Millikin scored on their first possession of the third quarter as Stepina sealed a 10-play, 72-yard drive with a two-yard touchdown run. The Bluejays struggled to protect the ball in the fourth quarter, turning the ball over four times on interceptions. Millikin turned three of the turnovers into touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Stepina connected with Perry on a 40-yard score. Israel Smith and Adonis Williamson added a pair of 66-yard interception returns for touchdowns in the fourth quarter as the Big Blue pulled away for the 34-point win.
 
Elmhurst finished with 22 first downs in the contest to Millikin's 17. Elmhurst finished with 279 yards of total offense while Millikin racked up 439. The Bluejays totaled 111 yards on the ground while passing for 168.
 
Chris Ivers led the Bluejays' ground game with 13 carries for 69 yards. Hernandez completed 18-of-36 passes for 168 yards in the loss. Jacob Mammosser was the top receiver for Elmhurst with five receptions for 47 yards.

Jazontae Howard paced Millikin's rushing attack with 89 yards on 20 carries. He also caught five passes for 44 yards in the win. Stepina completed 16-of-26 passes for 252 yards and three touchdowns. Perry caught three passes for 55 yards and two touchdowns for the Big Blue.
 
Storm Miller led Elmhurst's defense with 12 tackles, including 10 solo tackles. Mike Dicken added eight stops while Victor Ogbebor totaled seven.
 
Elmhurst closes out its 2017 season next Saturday, November 11, when the Bluejays host North Central College.