Millikin battles weather and Vikings to score road win

More news about: Millikin

The Millikin football battled three weather delays to come from behind and defeat the Augustana Vikings 28-27 in at stormy Rock Island, Illinois on October 14.

Millikin's Ben Spelman hit his first collegiate field goal from 27 yards out with 1:06 remaining to complete the comeback and give the Big Blue the win.

The Vikings drove down the field setting up a 40 yard field goal attempt that went wide right.

Augustana took a first quarter lead on a seven yard touchdown pass from Ryan Hennessy to Luke Bleyer. The Vikings added to their lead on a Jacoby Stytz 26 yard field goal to make it 10-0 with 13:09 left in the second quarter.

Millikin got on the scoreboard with 54 seconds left in the first half on a one-yard run from Nicco Stepina

Another Viking field goal made it a 13-7 lead early in the third quarter.

After a 40 minute lighting delay with 10:47 left in the third quarter, Augustana blocked a Big Blue punt with Austin Chausee returning it 24 yards for a touchdown to make it a 20-7 game.

On its next drive, the Big Blue got a 55-yard run from Jazontae Howard to move inside the Viking five yard line. Antoine Scott converted on a one yard run. After a failed conversion it was a 20-13 Augustana advantage with 7:43 left in the third quarter.

Stepina connected with Tyrice Hines on a 22-yard touchdown pass to pull the Big Blue close. Millikin missed the extra point making it a 20-19 Augustana lead.
The Vikings answered with a five-yard touchdown run by Ryan Pitra to push the advantage to 27-19 with 9:43 left in the game.

Millikin was driving for another score when the game went to its second lighting delay with 8:10 remaining. This time the delay lasted two hours and one minute. After play resumed, Millikin scored on its second play on a 27-yard touchdown pass from Stepina to Smith. The two point conversion play failed making it a 27-25 Augustana advantage.

The game's third weather delay came with 3:54 left in the game. The 30 minute break come with Millikin at the Viking 41 yard line after a 36 yard pass from Stepina to Gerald Perry.

Millikin had 382 yards in total offense while the Vikings had 347.

Stepina was 18-29-1 for 242 yards and two touchdowns. Smith had four catches for 89 yards. Howard was Millikin's leading rusher with 84 yards.