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For Immediate Release
Sept. 24, 2010
Football Returns Home to Headline Homecoming
EUREKA, Ill. – The Eureka College football team will play its first home game in three weeks when the Red Devils return to McKinzie Field to open their seven-game Upper Midwest Athletic Conference schedule against Minnesota-Morris, Saturday at 1 p.m. in Eureka’s annual homecoming game.
The Red Devils are coming off a 63-0 defeat at Wisconsin-Stout last weekend and are hoping to end a four-game losing streak dating back to last season’s finale against Crown. Saturday’s contest marks the first all-time meeting between the Red Devils and Minnesota-Morris, the first of two first-time opponents on the schedule this season. Eureka will also host first-time opponent Northwestern (Minn.) at McKinzie Field on Oct. 23.
Despite Eureka’s 0-3 start, several individuals have played very well in the early stages of the season. Junior strong safety Mike Minehan (Washington, Ill./Washington H.S./McKendree) has averaged 13.0 tackles per game, trailing only Northwestern’s Luke Delain (13.7) for the UMAC lead and ranking tied for 16th in all of Division III. Minehan intercepted a pass in the season-opener against Benedictine and has also been a dangerous return threat, taking 14 kickoffs for 241 yards.
Sophomore quarterback Sam Durley (Roanoke, Ill./Roanoke-Benson H.S.) ranks fifth in the league with 109.3 passing yards per game. Durley has split time under center with junior Jordan Krone (Minonk, Ill./Fieldcrest H.S./Greenville) to give Eureka the UMAC’s fourth-ranked passing attack with 169.7 yards per game.
Despite being picked to finish tied for last place in the UMAC in a preseason coaches’ poll last month, Minnesota-Morris is in sole possession of first place after a 2-0 conference start. The Cougars have averaged 30.0 points per game through the season’s first three weeks to rank second among UMAC teams. In a non-conference game last Saturday, the Cougars dropped a 50-21 road decision at Wisconsin Lutheran.
The 2010 Eureka College Athletics Hall of Fame class will be recognized during halftime. The day will also include Eureka’s annual homecoming parade along College Avenue beginning at 10 a.m. The Old Elm Trophy, presented to the most outstanding student organization during homecoming week, will be awarded following the game during the Fifth Quarter Barbeque at McKinzie Field. The Breakfast Club, a 1980’s cover band, will perform following the game.
SOCCER: Like the football team, the Eureka men’s and women’s soccer teams will open league play on their home field Saturday afternoon. Both teams will open the eight-match St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference schedule against Principia, starting with the women’s match at noon at Traister Field. The men’s game will follow at 2 p.m. The doubleheader will be the middle match of a three-match home stand scheduled through next Wednesday.
VOLLEYBALL: Following a five-set loss at Robert Morris-Springfield on Tuesday, the volleyball team will return to SLIAC play on Saturday night in a 6 p.m. match against Fontbonne at the Reagan Center. The Griffins own a 4-3 advantage in the all-time SLIAC series with each road team earning victories in the two-game series last season. Saturday’s contest marks Eureka’s final home SLIAC match until the regular season finale on Nov. 2 against MacMurray.
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For More Information Contact:
Bryan Moore
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