ELMHURST, Ill. – The Elmhurst University football team celebrated Senior Day and wrapped up the 2024 season with a resounding 35-7 victory over Millikin on Saturday (Nov. 16) afternoon at Langhorst Field.
Elmhurst finishes the 2024 season with a 3-7 overall record and a 3-6 mark in CCIW action, both the most wins since the 2016 season. Millikin fell to 0-10 and 0-9 in the CCIW with the loss.
The Bluejays used a strong defensive front to stymie any Big Blue offense, forcing a season-high five turnovers and holding Millikin to 39 rushing yards. Connor DeVries had two interceptions, with Tre Jackson notching the other, while Jeffrey Leighliter and Justin Harris each forced a fumble, and Chris Reaves and Etor Agbenya recovered those fumbles. Jace Zeffiro led the team with seven tackles, while Elmhurst recorded five sacks — one each from Agbenya, Leighliter, Mayon Lowery, KeShon Collins, and Jesus Moreno.
The Bluejay offense had a tremendous showing in the finale as well, with quarterback John Odom completing 7-of-22 passes, but throwing three touchdowns for 236 yards. Jacob Cockrell was on the receiving end of two of the touchdown passes, totaling four catches for 134 yards and a pair of touchdowns. On the ground, Taveon Porter rushed for two scores and 151 yards.
HOW IT HAPPENED
After a quick opening drive from the Bluejay offense, Millikin connected on a 61-yard reception on their opening play. However, tough defense from Leighliter forced the Big Blue receiver to fumble shortly after catching the ball, with Reaves jumping on the ball to give Elmhurst possession.
On Elmhurst's next drive, a steady dose of runs from Porter led to a four-yard touchdown run, putting Elmhurst up 7-0 early in the first quarter. Millikin would again turn the ball over on their next drive, with a hard hit and forced fumble from Harris, giving EU possession once more. Both teams would trade possessions to end the first quarter, with Elmhurst holding a 7-0 lead.
After two possessions in the second quarter, the Bluejay defense forced another turnover when DeVries dove to grab an overthrow from the Big Blue quarterback, giving Elmhurst the ball in enemy territory. On the ensuing drive, Porter cut downfield and made defenders miss on a 27-yard touchdown rush, putting EU up 14-0. After more defensive stops throughout the second quarter, Jackson undercut a throw down the left side for an interception to end the first half on a high note for Elmhurst, leading 14-0.
With the Big Blue receiving the ball first in the second half, the loud Bluejay crowd and sideline forced a pair of false starts, and a second interception by DeVries kept the momentum on the EU side. Later in the quarter, Odom found Cockrell in stride, and after a few great moves, the receiver took it 68 yards for a touchdown, putting Elmhurst up 21-0.
After a botched punt allowed Millikin to take over at the Bluejay 12-yard line and cut into the deficit (21-7), Elmhurst responded on the next drive with another touchdown reception by Cockrell, putting Elmhurst back up by three scores, 28-7.
In the fourth quarter, Porter added a receiving touchdown to his line with a 54-yard reception, putting Elmhurst up 35-7, where the score remained at the end of the season finale.
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