ELMHURST, Ill. – The Elmhurst football team slipped to 3-2 on the season after coming up short in a 31-17 homecoming loss to Carthage College.
Elmhurst (3-2, 0-2 CCIW) trailed 21-7 at the half, but the Bluejays dominated the third quarter, scoring 10 points and pulling to within a four-point deficit, but a field goal and a long touchdown run in the fourth quarter helped Carthage (2-3, 1-1 CCIW) pull away for the win.
lThe Bluejays jumped on the scoreboard quickly, capitalizing on a defensive play. Sean Wetherell blocked a Carthage punt at the Red Men 10-yard line. Wetherell scooped up the loose ball at the four-yard line and trotted in for an easy touchdown.
The two teams traded punts before the Red Men pulled even on a 13-yard touchdown run from London Townsend, capping a four-play 71-yard drive sparked by a 46-yard completion from Bobby Suchecki to James Cobbs III.
Carthage scored a pair of touchdowns in the second quarter with Cobbs III capping an 82-yard drive with a 17-yard touchdown run. After an Elmhurst punt, the Red Men drove 85 yards in 14 plays, with Cobbs scoring his second straight touchdown, this time on a two-yard sweep.
The Red Men led 21-7 at the half while Elmhurst struggled with its offense, totaling just four first downs and 78 yards in the game's first 30 minutes.
Elmhurst's offense started to roll in the third quarter. The Bluejays took the opening kickoff and drove 73 yards to the end zone with Josh Williams scoring on a five-yard touchdown run. Williams was the workhorse for the Bluejays on the drive, rushing for 62 yards on five carries.
Valdez Honorable picked off Carthage QB Nick Anzelmo on the Red Men's ensuing possession. The Bluejays capitalized on the mistake, driving to the Carthage 11-yard line before settling for a 30-yard field goal from Brett Bayer. The Bluejays pulled to within four points at 21-17 with the field goal.
Carthage was forced to punt on its next possession, but Elmhurst's drive stalled at the Carthage 31-yard line as the Bluejays' were stuffed on a fourth-and-two run play. After taking over on downs Carthage drove to the Elmhurst 26-yard line and settled for a 43-yard field goal from Lance Unland.
Elmhurst was held to a three-and-out on their next possession and Carthage wasted no time capitalizing as Lafayette McGary broke loose for a 64-yard touchdown run on the first play. The touchdown made the score 31-17and put the game out of reach for the Red Men.
Elmhurst finished the contest with 291 yards of offense, rushing for 133 yards and passing for 158. After a slow start, Williams finished with 132 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries.Logan Stelzriede finished 11-of-22 through the air for 93 yards. Drew Domino took over at quarterback on the Bluejays' final drive, finishing 5-of-8 for 65 yards. Garrett Claxon finished as Elmhurst's top receiver, catching six passes for 72 yards.
Carthage had a strong day on offense, totaling 464 yards for the contest. The Red Men had success running the ball, finishing with 336 yards on 40 carries. Carthage spread the ball around in the backfield with four different players rushing at least seven times for 40 yards or more. McGary was the leader for the Red Men, rushing 10 times for 162 yards and a touchdown. He had a pair of 64-yard runs in the victory. Tristan Peterson rushed nine times for 62 yards while Anzelmo carried seven times for 55 yards.
Suchecki and Anzelmo combined to finish 8-of-17 through the air for 128 yards. Cobbs was the Red Men's top receiver, catching four passes for 74 yards.
Andy Warsen led the Bluejays' defense, finishing with 14 tackles, including four solo. Sean Wetherell added 11 tackles while also blocking a punt.
Elmhurst will look to snap its two-game skid next Saturday, October 17, when the Bluejays travel to North Park University.