| After a slow first half, the
Elmhurst offense came alive in the second, including sophomore
running back Josh Williams, the brother of 2012 Gagliardi Trophy
winner Scottie Williams. Photo by Larry Radloff, d3photography.com |
ELMHURST, Ill. - The Elmhurst College football
team outscored Loras 28-6 in the second half en route to a 35-9
season opening victory.
After a sluggish opening half, the Bluejays outgained Loras
322-141 in the second half while rolling to the victory.
- Postgame video: Pat Coleman's D3report
- Josh Williams interview
- Joe Adam interview
- Trine wins seventh consecutive opener
Elmhurst, ranked 22nd in the D3football.com Top 25,
sputtered in the opening half, turning the ball over twice,
including on the Loras goal line. The Duhawks capitalized on an
Elmhurst fumble in the opening quarter, grabbing a 3-0 lead on a
Louie Oswald 30-yard field goal.
Elmhurst jumped out in front late in the second quarter. A
partially blocked punt gave the Bluejays possession at the Loras
35-yard line. Joe Camiliere capped a four-play scoring
drive with a 17-yard touchdown run on an option keeper. The
Bluejays led 7-3 at the half.
The second half was a different story as Elmhurst scored on its
first four possessions against the Duhawks. The Bluejays took the
opening kick and dove 77 yards in nine plays with Camiliere hitting
Will Caspers on a three-yard touchdown pass to put the
Bluejays on top 14-3.
After a Loras punt, the Bluejays used an eight-play, 65-yard drive
to go up 21-3 after Camiliere connected with Vince
Gabrys on a 12-yard touchdown pass.
Loras found the end zone early in the fourth quarter as the
Duhawks' Nate Carrier capped a 69-yard drive with a six-yard
touchdown run.
The Bluejays answered back with a 70-yard drive capped by a
Josh Williams' one-yard touchdown plunge. Following a
Loras interception, Williams capped a 78-yard drive with his second
one-yard touchdown run to make the final score 35-9 in favor of the
Bluejays.
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Elmhurst finished the game with 488 yards of total offense, including 302 yards on the ground.
The Bluejays held Loras in check for most of the game, allowing just 247 yards of offense, including just 36 rushing yards. Elmhurst held the ball for more than 37 minutes of the game.
Williams led the Bluejays on the ground, carrying 19 times for
97 yards and two touchdowns. Tyler Smith rushed nine
times for 77 yards while Andrew Tubek carried 12 times
for 74 yards.
Camiliere finished 14-of-19 through the air for 186 yards and two
scores. Caspers and Smith hauled in three passes apiece.
Carrier led Loras' ground attack with 20 carries for just 32
yards. Dylan Jones finished 17-of-32 for 211 yards and two
interceptions.
Robbie Dunn and Nate Riffle finished with
seven tackles apiece to lead the Elmhurst defense. Dunn added a
tackle for loss while Riffle made a leaping interception near the
sideline. Alec Giles also recorded a pick for the
Bluejays while Mark Evangelista totaled four tackles and
recovered a fumble.
Elmhurst travels to Trine University on Saturday, Sept. 14. Trine
started off the season with a 19-3 win against Manchester.