For Immediate Release

river forest, illinois

September 30, 2006

Cougars enjoy perfect storm versus Red Devils

The Red Devils corrected one major flaw in their game this week, but injuries and Concordia Chicago's (2-3, 1-1 IBFC) dominance of third down conspired to be Eureka College's (0-4, 0-2 IBFC) undoing in Saturday afternoon's 41-12 loss in Illini-Badger Football Conference play.

Eureka squandered countless red zone possessions last season and had not scored in three official trips inside the 20 again this season before traveling to play the Cougars. Needless to say, the Red Devils' two touchdowns on three red zone possessions can serve as a silver lining in an otherwise frustrating day at the office.

Concordia set the tone for the rest of the contest by sustaining the opening drive for 14 plays and 68 yards over 4:55. Tony Fontana, who had fumbled on a second down play, but was able to recover, plunged into the end zone from a yard out to put the Cougars on top 7-0.

Concordia made good on three third downs on the first drive and went on to convert on their first 12 third downs in the game. The streak was not broken until late in the third quarter. Of the Cougars six touchdowns, five were scored on third down. They ended 13-17 on third down for the game.

All of the third down attempts proved to be a double edged sword of sorts for the Eureka defense. Already starting the game without the services of two starting linemen, the EC defense did well to limit the Cougars from gaining the needed yardage on the first two downs, but all of the third downs only resulted in wearing down the defenders. Concordia ran 78 offensive plays on the day compared to 53 for EC.

One of the few things that did perhaps work in Eureka's favor was a 49 minute lightning delay with 2:50 left in the first quarter that did give the defense additional rest. However, even the delay was untimely. The game was halted three plays after the Red Devils cut the deficit to 14-6 on a five yard all-freshman pass from Nick Lindsey (Homer, Ill./Heritage) to Drew Whightsil (Vandalia, Ill./HS). Eureka went for two afterwards, but fell short. Lindsey was called on much earlier than expected this week as starting signal caller Shaun Manning (Minonk, Ill./Fieldcrest) was forced out of the game due to injury after Eureka's first offensive play.

Lindsey later led Eureka on a 10 play, 74 yard drive in the early stages of the fourth quarter. The Red Devils connected on pass plays of 15 and 19 yards on a pair of third down-and-longs to Alex Goett (Peoria Heights, Ill./HS) and Chris Carr (El Paso, Ill./HS) respectively. Lindsey then called his own number from 16 yards out for Eureka's second touchdown of the day. The point after try was blocked.

Damon Mehlberg (Bloomington, Ill./HS), whose 47 yard rush set up EC's first score, finished with 81 rushing yards on 10 carries. Lindsey rushed for 68 yards, but lost 23 yards on three sacks. EC out-rushed Concordia 189-158 on one more attempt. Carr hauled in three receptions for 54 yards. Sophomore Tony Martin (Lexington, Ill./HS) led the EC defense with eight tackles. The Red Devils forced one turnover, a fumble recovery by Jaryd Lindenmeyer (Arcola, Ill./HS).

Concordia quarterback Jason Weeks completed 19 of 32 aerials for 240 yards. Five tosses went for touchdowns. Kyle Borders had TD receptions of 36 and 25 yards and totaled 128 yards in the game. Drew Sturgell caught scoring strikes from six and four yards out.

Eureka continues conference play Saturday, Oct. 7 at home against Lakeland College. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 pm.

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For More Information Contact:

Brian Sullivan

Sports Information Director

Eureka College

300 E. College Avenue

Eureka, Illinois 61530

309-467-6456

bsullivan@eureka.edu