Game Leaders
Team Stats
Passing Yards
Rushing Yards
Turnovers
Time of Poss.
The Millikin football team opened the 2016 season with a 40-21 win at Greenville College in Greenville, Illinois on September 3. The victory gave first year Head Coach Dan Gritti a positive start to his Big Blue coaching career.
The Big Blue opened the scoring on its second possession when quarterback Nicco Stepina found wide receiver Cameron Mammen in the corner of the endzone on a three yard touchdown pass. The score was set up by a 37 yard pass from Stepina to freshman Jordan Smith. Smith's made a great play on the ball setting up the Big Blue at the Panthers six yard line.
Millikin made it a 14-0 game on its first possession of the second quarter on a seven yard run by Andre Colvin.
After the Big Blue defense held Greenville to a three and out, Millikin scored again through the air with Stepina connecting with freshman David Jackson on an 21 yard pass play to make it 20-0 Big Blue.
The Big Blue would score again just before the half on an eight yard run by Colvin to make it 26-0.
Millikin sealed the victory on the second play of the second half with Stepina hit freshman George Jimmerson, Jr with a pass along the sidelines and he turned it into a 73 yard touchdown.
Millikin would get its final touchdown on a 19 yard pass from Stepina to Smith.
Greenville would score three times on off the Millikin reserve defense to make it a 40-21 final. Eric Kranh would have two touchdown runs for the Panthers.
Stepina finished the day 16-23 for 276 yards and four touchdowns. Jimmerson was Millikin's top receiver with four catches for 120 yards. Colvin led the rushing attack with 85 yards on 18 carries.
Senior Caleb Belcher and freshman Rajah Shabazz led Millikin with six tackles. Demetreeus Loper and Jordan Williams were each credited with five.