For Immediate Release

eureka, illinois

Dempsey, Red Devils run over Highlanders 41-27

November 5, 2007

JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — Justin Dempsey (Fairbury, Ill./Chenoa) rushed for 292 yards and three touchdowns and Eureka College forced five MacMurray College turnovers as the Red Devils halted an 11-game losing streak to the Highlanders Saturday afternoon in a 41-27 shootout.

Eureka (2-7, 2-5 IBFC) never trailed in its final Illini-Badger Football Conference game before the league disbands after this season. Dempsey gained 187 yards on the ground in the first half alone in helping EC to a 20-point (27-7) halftime cushion. The starting EC offensive line of James Albers (Mendota, Ill./HS), Brian Carver (Springfield, Ill./Lanphier), Jordan Vignoni (Lancaster, Calif./Quartz Hill), Raul Mendoza (Arcola, Ill./HS) and Charles Franklin (Chicago, Ill./Lincoln Park) was also key to the Red Devils' success, paving the way for most of the 361 rushing yards Eureka gained on the day.

Dempsey carried 10 times on the opening drive of the game, including on the final play, as he scored from 11 yards out to cap a 14 play, 70 yard drive that lasted 6:14.

It did not take long for MacMurray (0-9, 0-7 IBFC) to get even as Chris Booker ripped off runs of 23 and 35 yards setting up a seven yard Tristan Jones scamper that knotted the game at 7-7 just 58 seconds later.

Not to be outdone, it took Eureka only 25 seconds to go back ahead. Dempsey dashed through the line for 47 yards before Nick Lindsey (Homer, Ill./Heritage) connected with Chris Wakid (Danvers, Ill./Eureka) for a touchdown on a nine yard swing pass. The extra point was blocked, but Eureka still led 13-7 at the end of the first quarter.

The Red Devils enjoyed a 14-0 advantage in the second quarter as a big 23 yard pass play to Brad Polanin (Metamora, Ill./HS) moved the ball deep into MacMurray territory early in the frame. Dempsey ran in from a yard out, giving EC a 20-7 edge. Later, Zach McDade (Savoy, Ill./Arcola) more than redeemed himself for dropping a long pass on fourth down on the previous possession when he hauled in a 33 yard touchdown pass from Lindsey as Eureka marched 75 yards in only 1:05 just before halftime.

The Highlanders, who fumbled away two of their last three possessions of the first half, did so again to begin the third quarter. Meanwhile, the Red Devils were not about to let up. Wakid added his second touchdown on a five yard rush and Matt Knake (Freeburg, Ill./HS), who was perfect on four extra point kicks, moved Eureka on top by the score of 34-7.

Three different players scored on touchdown runs for MacMurray in the second half, but two blocked extra points and interceptions by Jacob Wall (Cresent City, Ill./Cresent-Iroquois) and Wayne O'Harrow (Crete, Ill./Bloom Trail) kept Eureka ahead by a comfortable margin. Just to make sure, Dempsey tip-toed down the sideline for a 25 yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter that made the score 41-13 at the time.

Dempsey was stopped for a loss just once out of his 44 carries. He averaged 6.6 yards per carry, setting career-highs in both carries and rushing yards (292). Wakid gained 44 yards on 11 attempts. Lindsey was 7-for-17 passing for 96 yards and two touchdowns. McDade was the game's leading receiver with two catches for 43 yards. Tim Dombrowski (Lansing, Ill./T.F. South) led a balanced EC defensive effort with seven tackles, with two going for a loss. The Red Devils' 41 points were the most in a game since October 16, 2004 when Eureka defeated Benedictine 44-7.

Booker gained 135 rushing yards on 17 carries to lead the MacMurray attack. Antwain Jones and Mike Porter each had 14 tackles for a Highlander defensive unit that suffered through a 39:06 to 20:54 Eureka advantage in time of possession.

The Red Devils will close their season in non-conference play next Saturday as they travel to the University of Chicago for a Noon kickoff.

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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