ELMHURST, Ill. - The Elmhurst football team dropped its home-opener of the 2014 season, falling to the University of Chicago 29-17.
Elmhurst (1-2) struggled to move the ball against Chicago's stingy defense. The Bluejays totaled 224 yards of offense on 58 plays while Chicago (3-0) totaled 312 yards on 69 plays.
Elmhurst's best drive of the first half came on its opening possession of the game. Following a three-and-out from the defense, the Bluejays drove inside the red zone. On a first down from the Chicago 20-yard line, Josh Williams broke free on a 19-yard run and was ruled out of bounds just before getting into the end zone. Chicago's defense stopped the Bluejays' on a pair of runs from the one-yard line and Elmhurst fired an incomplete pass on third down. The Bluejays settled for a 21-yard field goal from Brett Bayer to take a 3-0 lead.
Chicago answered back on the ensuing possession, driving 55 yards and evening the scoer at 3-3 on a Karol Kurzydlowski 37-yard field goal.
Following a three-and-out from Elmhurst, Chicago strung together a 12-play, 76-yard scoring drive capped by a 10-yard touchdown pass from Patrick Ryan to Brian Welch. The Maroons converted on three third-downs and one fourth-down to keep the drive alive.
Chicago forced Elmhurst into a three-and-out and then drove down to the Elmhurst three-yard line before settling for a 21-yard field goal from Kurzydlowski to make the score 13-3 just before the half.
Chicago extended its lead to 16-3 early in the third quarter after Kurzydlowski booted a 35-yard field goal.
Elmhurst's offense got rolling on its next possession. The Bluejays drove 73 yards in 12 plays with Joe Camiliere capping the drive with a four-yard touchdown run. The drive was aided by a pair of costly Chicago penalties on third down.
The Bluejays' defense forced Chicago to punt on its next possession, but Elmhurst's offense stalled, going three-and-out and giving the ball back to Chicago on a punt. The Maroons took advantage of the good field position and drove to the Elmhurst 22-yard line. Zak Ross-Nash capped the drive with a 22-yard touchdown run up the middle. Chicago elected to try the two-point conversion but missed, making the score 22-10.
After the two teams traded punts, Chicago picked off Camiliere at the Elmhurst 15-yard line and Ross-Nash scored on a 15-yard run one play later to make the score 29-10.
Elmhurst added a quick score with a 15-play, 83-yard scoring drive capped by a four-yard touchdown pass from Camiliere to Adam Bowers.
Chicago finished the contest 3-for-3 on fourth down conversions and 7-of-16 on third down conversions.
Williams led the Bluejays' rushing attack with 53 yards on 13 carries. Camiliere finished 15-of-30 through the air for 144 yards and a touchdown. Garrett Claxon was his top target, catching five passes for 52 yards.
Ross-Nash carried 26 times for 105 yards and two touchdowns to lead Chicago. Ryan finished 12-of-25 for 140 yards and a touchdown.
Valdez Honorable and Brian Tucker led Elmhurst's defense with seven tackles apiece. Jackson Garrey paced the Maroons with eight tackles.
Elmhurst has next week off before hosting Augustana College on Saturday, October 4.
Elmhurst Drops Home-Opener to Chicago
/seasons/2014/boxscores/20140920_zqbj.xml
2014
Chicago
29
Elmhurst
17
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago (3-0) | 0 | 13 | 3 | 13 | 29 |
| Elmhurst (1-2) | 3 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 17 |
Sep 20, 2014