For Immediate Release
eureka, illinois
November 8, 2008
Red Devils finish season as highest scoring EC team in 11 years
Boxscore
The 2008 Eureka College football season concluded Saturday with a 49-26 loss to Greenville College on Senior Day at Pete FioRito Stadium at McKinzie Field. The Red Devils fell behind 37-0, then outscored the Panthers 26-12 the rest of the way.
The season did not end without some noteworthy accomplishments by Eureka (3-6, 2-5 SLIAC), however. The Red Devils gained 149 yards rushing in the game, moving them over 2,000 for the season. They also scored 205 points on the year for an average of 22.8 per game. That is the highest scoring average for Eureka since 1997. And in the season finale, Eureka committed just one turnover against Greenville, which came in leading the conference in turnovers forced at nearly four per game.
"We all would have liked to send our seniors out on a high note," said Eureka interim head coach Matthew Smiley. "But I think everyone involved with the program knows we are on the verge of making some very positive things happen here."
Greenville (6-4, 5-2 SLIAC) quarterback Dominic Kegel made sure those positive things would have to wait for next year. He accounted for six touchdowns on the day, including five in the first half of play. He came out on fire despite windy and frigid playing conditions, hitting on all six of his aerial attempts in the first quarter for 176 yards and three touchdowns.
Kegel tossed scoring strikes of 35, 68 and 34 yards to three different receivers and the Panthers converted on all three two-point attempts for a 24-0 lead with 3:29 left in the opening frame. The lone Eureka bright spot in the quarter came on a muffed punt that was recovered by Travis Davis (Arcola, Ill./HS) giving Eureka the ball on the Greenville 25. The Red Devils were later stopped on fourth down at the GC 19.
The Panthers converted a third-and-eight on the first play of the second quarter on a 43-yard pass from Kegel to Zach Friedrich that set up a first-and-goal for Greenville. Two plays later, Kegel plunged over the goal line from a yard out. He later threw a nine-yard touchdown pass to Jordan McKinsey for a 37-0 Greenville lead with 4:08 left in the half.
The Red Devils offense got going on the ensuing possession, putting together a 10 play, 74 yard touchdown drive. Nick Lindsey (Homer, Ill./Heritage) threaded a 19-yard touchdown pass to Cody Troutman (Normal, Ill./HS) in the final minute of the first half to cap the march and set the halftime score at 37-7.
Eureka averaged over 225 yards rushing per game this season, but was held to just 44 in the first half. The Red Devils tried to make up for lost time in the second half, gaining 105 yards and scoring three touchdowns on the ground to finish with 149 yards and 26 points on the day.
"Our rushing game was more effective in the second half after some great adjustments by offensive coordinator Neil Linhart and offensive line coach Josh Johnson," commented Smiley. "The offense and defense played much better after we loosened up and just started playing football."
Both sides were stopped on fourth down tries in the opposing team's territory to begin the third quarter, but both cashed in on their second possessions. Senior wide receiver Dan Askew (Farmer City, Ill./Blue Ridge) made a nice sliding catch of a Lindsey pass on fourth down to extend the EC drive at the Greenville 38 and freshman running back Brandon Ards (Orlando, Fla./Dr. Phillips) broke free around the left end on the next play for a touchdown to get Eureka within 37-14.
Just as the Red Devils were gaining some momentum, Greenville responded quickly with the next two touchdowns to keep Eureka at arm's length. A 36-yard Edgar Townsend kickoff return gave the Panthers inviting field position across midfield and two plays later, Kegel hit Friedrich for a 38-yard touchdown pass as the third quarter ended with Greenville leading 43-14.
The Panthers, who claimed sole possession of third place in the conference with the win, added a 33-yard rushing touchdown by Mark Mitchell before the Red Devils closed the season with the final two forays into the end zone.
Josiah Rosenberger (Morton, Ill./HS) turned in a hard-nosed 23-yard kickoff return across midfield to the Greenville 44 and Ards took a handoff 25 yards to the Panthers 18 setting up a Lindsey one yard run with 7:11 remaining.
On Eureka's final drive, the Red Devils went 85 yards on 11 plays. Nathan Tolbert (Colorado Springs, Colo./Argenta-Oreana), who almost made a miraculous one-handed snag in the end zone a play earlier, hauled in an 18-yard reception down to the Greenville one. After a penalty, Chris Wakid (Danvers, Ill./Eureka) rumbled for a six-yard touchdown run with 1:29 to go.
Leading Eureka offensively were Lindsey with 202 yards and a touchdown on 15-of-28 passing and Ards with 66 yards rushing and a touchdown on 11 carries. Askew was the team's leading receiver with 87 yards and seven receptions, several of the highlight variety.
"I am really proud of Dan Askew's play today, but more importantly his great attitude this season," added Smiley.
Askew was just one of many Red Devil seniors that stood out in their final game in the Maroon and Gold. Left tackle James Albers (Mendota, Ill./HS) was a key part of the EC offensive resurgence, while senior Tony Martin (Lexington, Ill./HS) led the team, tying his career-high with 10 tackles. Seniors Josh Schnauber (Chillicothe, Ill./IVC) and Tim Dombrowski (Lansing, Ill./T.F. South) each recorded six tackles, with Schnauber adding two tackles for loss.
Kegel completed 14-of-19 pass attempts for 304 yards and five touchdowns. He also gained 31 yards on the ground. Mitchell had a game-high 83 rushing yards, while Friedrich caught seven passes for 164 yards.
The annual E-Tribe Football Banquet will take place Sunday, December 7 at 7:00 pm in the Terrill Rooms of the Cerf Center. Comments from the season and awards will be presented at the banquet.
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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
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