For Immediate Release

eureka, illinois

September 6, 2008

Red Devils fall in field position battle to knox

Boxscore

GALESBURG, Ill. — The 105th Eureka College football season opener was spoiled by Knox College Saturday as the Red Devils were denied all five times they entered Knox territory in a 26-0 defeat.

Eureka (0-1) battled poor field position and a rugged Prairie Fire (1-0) defense all day. The Red Devils recorded a respectable 13 first downs and 139 yards rushing, but could not convert on either red zone possession, while Knox scored on three of five times inside the EC 20.

Turnovers helped set up both Prairie Fire scores in the first quarter. Knox took over on the Eureka 33 following an interception, and settled for a field goal after the EC defense held its ground after a goal-to-go situation. Later in the frame, Knox took over on its own 49 after a fumble. Two plays later, Dan Kizior broke free for a 43 yard touchdown run. The point after attempt was blocked to keep the score 9-0 at the 2:42 mark. The two-play, 51 yard drive would be the Prairie Fire's longest in terms of yards on the day as the other four Knox scoring possessions all started in Eureka territory.

The Red Devils mounted a 13 play drive in response as Brandon Ards (Orlando, Fla./Dr. Phillips) picked up key first downs with rushes of eight and 23 yards. Eureka eventually reached the Knox five, but two incomplete passes turned the ball over on downs.

Knox passed for 100 yards in the game, with 90 of them coming in the second quarter of play. The lead increased to 16-0 with 4:16 remaining in the first half on a 29 yard pass play, but the hosts were turned away on their final drive of the session thanks to an interception by Eureka's Rosney Beverly (Normal, Ill./West).

Knox kept the momentum on its side in the third quarter as Kizior ran back the second half kickoff to the Eureka three yard line. It took a fourth down conversion, but the Prairie Fire punched in the third touchdown of the game from two yards out, making the count 23-0.

The Red Devils twice advanced the ball across midfield in the second half, but it was not meant to be. Eureka had an 11 play drive reach the KC 31 that was interrupted by an interception, then had a nine play plunge get as deep as the Knox 16 before ending on an incomplete pass on fourth-and-three.

Beverly finished with a game high nine tackles in addition to an interception. Matt Knake (Freeburg, Ill./HS) was in on eight tackles, while Matt Tieman (Champaign, Ill./St. Thomas More) collected six tackles and a sack.

Ards averaged a superb 5.8 yards on 13 carries for a total of 75 yards to lead the EC runners. Nick Lindsey (Homer, Ill./Heritage) gained 45 yards rushing and 68 passing on nine completions in 17 attempts.

Quarterback Bill Meyer led eight Knox ball carriers who gained a total of 266 yards on the ground with 76 yards rushing and 100 yard passing on just five completions.

Next up for the Red Devils is former conference rival Concordia University Chicago as they begin the home portion of the 2008 slate. The game is set for 1:00 pm on September 13 at Pete FioRito Stadium at McKinzie Field. Eureka topped the Cougars 28-21 at home last season.

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For More Information Contact:

Bryan Moore
Sports Information Director
Eureka College
300 E. College Avenue
Eureka, Illinois 61530
309-467-6456
bmoore@eureka.edu