/seasons/2018/contrib/20180929hnijur

Big Blue Football Edges Augustana

More news about: Millikin

          The Millikin football team improved to 3-1 on the season with a 28-27 win over Augustana College on September 29 at Frank M. Lindsay Field in Decatur, Illinois.

          Millikin fell behind 14-0 after one quarter, but the Big Blue scored twice in the second quarter to go into the halftime locker room tied at 14-14.

          The Vikings scored its first quarter touchdowns on a 10-yard pass from Zachary Fuller to Tom Dolis and a two-yard run from Alex Jacobs.

          Millikin quarterback Nicco Stepina connected with wide receiver Gerald Perry twice in the second quarter to tie the game.  Stepina and Perry connected on 13 yard and two-yard touchdown passes.

          A 27-yard field goal by the Vikings' Ryan Ganson made it 17-14 Augustana.

          Millikin then answered with a 55-yard touchdown pass from Stepina to Jordan Smith to take its first lead in the game at 21-17.

          Fuller's one-yard run gave the lead back to the Vikings 24-21 late in the third quarter. 

          Early in the fourth quarter, Millikin went up 28-24 on a 24-yard Stepina to Smith touchdown pass.

          The Vikings marched down the field, but the Big Blue defense stiffened in the Red Zone holding Augustana to a 21-yard field goal. Augustana had the ball first and goal at the Big Blue five yard line before several key plays by the Millikin defense.  On first down, Matt Brown and Adam Hayes dropped Jacobs for a one-yard loss.  Jacobs was held to a one-yard game on second down with the tackle going to Gabe Xayathone and Nikia Averitte.  Averitte batted down the third down pass at the Big Blue goal line forcing the Vikings to settle for the field goal.

          Augustana had one final drive, but Millikin held and forced the Vikings to attempt a 51-yard field goal that fell short.

          Millikin had 439 yards of total offense with 353 coming through the air.  The Vikings had 477 yards of offense (218 rushing and 259 passing).

          Stepina was 29-43-1 for 353 yards and four touchdowns. Perry had 13 catches for 116 yards. Tyrice Hines had six catches for 113 yards and Smith had five catches for 98 yards.  Stepina had 52 yards rushing.

          Brown led Millikin's defense with 11 tackles while Kyle Ramos added 10.

Hayes had nine.

          Augustana's Fuller was 25-39 passing for 246 yards and one touchdown.  Jacobs was the Vikings leading rusher with 11 carries for 62 yards.

          Millikin is now 3-1, 2-1 while Augustana goes to 2-2, 1-2.

          Millikin hosts Carroll University on October 6 at 6:30 p.m. during Millikin's Homecoming festivities.

Dec. 15: All times Eastern
Final
Cortland 38, at North Central (Ill.) 37
@ Salem, Virginia
Video Box Score Recap Photos
Dec. 9: All times Eastern
Final
North Central (Ill.) 34, at Wartburg 27
Box Score Recap
Final
Cortland 49, at Randolph-Macon 14
Box Score Recap Recap Recap Photos
Maintenance in progress.