For Immediate Release

lagrange, georgia

November 1, 2008

Red devils thwarted by LaGrange in 1st ever game in georgia

Boxscore

Eureka College fell in St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football action to LaGrange College Saturday 63-19. The Red Devils outscored the Panthers 19-14 in the second half, but trailed 49-0 at the halftime break after a 35-point LaGrange second quarter.

Eureka (3-5, 2-4 SLIAC) moved the ball well in the first quarter against the Panthers (8-1, 6-0 SLIAC), who entered play with the top ranked defense in the conference. The Red Devils put forth a pair of 13-play drives covering a total of 102 yards, but were held off the scoreboard both times. Both drives ended on failed fourth down conversions in LaGrange territory.

LaGrange also benefitted from two EC turnovers in the first quarter. Eureka lost the ball on a fumble on the first offensive play of the game and the No. 1 rusher in the SLIAC, LaGrange's Mario Wallace, sprinted 30 yards for a touchdown two plays later to give the Panthers a 7-0 lead 27 seconds into the game. LaGrange also scored on a 50-yard pass from Drew Carter to Stephen Tuck as the first quarter ended with the Panthers ahead 14-0.

LaGrange enjoyed enticing field position in the second quarter. The Panthers started four drives in Eureka territory, scoring touchdowns on all four possessions to blow open the game. Despite having the ball for less than eight of the first 30 minutes, LaGrange built a 49-0 lead at intermission.

After the Panthers increased their lead on a 25-yard scoring run by Gerald Reed on the first possession of the second half, the Red Devils got on the scoreboard with a 48-yard touchdown rush by Brandon Ards (Orlando, Fla./Dr. Phillips). Ards had 69 of his 78 yards rushing in the second half. He averaged 7.8 yards per carry on the day.

The Eureka defense dug in for the rest of the third quarter, stopping two LaGrange drives on fourth down at the EC nine yard line. The Red Devils then out-gained LaGrange 141-125 in the fourth quarter and scored two touchdowns.

Chris Dalberg (Washington, Ill./HS) completed a 23-yard pass to Dan Askew (Farmer City, Ill./Blue Ridge) and a 13-yard strike to Zach McDade (Savoy, Ill./Arcola) during a seven play, 72 yard touchdown drive for EC. Dalberg eventually capped the march with a 29 yard run with 6:21 remaining.

Eureka then held LaGrange to a three-and-out on the next series giving McDade time to run for a 54-yard touchdown to finish the scoring at 63-19. The Red Devils, who have the second ranked rushing attack in the SLIAC, gained 176 yards on the ground in the second half to account for 250 for the game.

Eureka had more first downs (21-19) and time of possession (35:26-24:32), but was done in by early turnovers, poor field position and big plays by a potent LaGrange offense. Eureka's Nick Lindsey (Homer, Ill./Heritage) was the leading passer in the game, throwing for 73 yards on 13 completions in 18 attempts. He also gained 54 yards rushing. Askew caught five passes for 36 yards.

The Red Devils have now scored 179 points through eight games for the year, which is more than in any full 10-game season since 1999.

Veteran EC linebackers Tim Dombrowski (Lansing, Ill./T.F. South) and Matt Knake (Freeburg, Ill./HS) were once again the leading tacklers. Dombrowski had nine tackles overall and three for a loss of 10 total yards. Knake had eight tackles overall and two for a loss of six yards.

LaGrange had three running backs top 100 yards led by Wallace with 154 and three touchdowns. Carter was 5-for-7 passing for 65 yards and touchdowns to three different receivers. In just their third season of play, the Panthers are tied for first place in the SLIAC standings and will host what has turned out to be the de facto league championship game Nov. 15 against Huntingdon, which is also 6-0 in conference action.

The Red Devils will host Greenville College next Saturday, November 8 at Noon in the season finale at Pete FioRito Stadium at McKinzie Field in Eureka. Ten EC players will be honored prior to their final game in the Maroon and Gold on Senior Day.

###

For More Information Contact:

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