ELMHURST, Ill. – The Elmhurst football team rolled up a school-record 607 yards of total offense en route to a 45-34 win over Carroll University in front of a homecoming crowd at Langhorst Field.
The Bluejays scored on all but one possession and never punted while surpassing the 600-yard mark of offense for the first time in school history, eclipsing a 47-year old school record. The previous record for total yardage was 590 set against North Central during the 1969 season. The Bluejays improved to 4-2 overall and 3-1 in the CCIW with the win while Carroll remained winless on the season, slipping to 0-5 overall and 0-3 in league play.
Elmhurst showed both quick strike capability on offense while also grinding out several long and methodical drives while finishing with over a 13-minute advantage in time of possession. Sophomore quarterback Orlando Hernandez fueled Elmhurst's offense, compiling over 400 yards offense on his own. Hernandez rushed for 127 yards and a touchdown on just 13 carries, averaging nearly 10 yards per touch (9.8). Through the air, he completed 16-of-24 passes for 275 yards and three touchdowns.
The first half was filled with offense from both squads. Elmhurst needed just one play to put the first points of the game on the scoreboard. Starting at their own 35-yard line on the first play from scrimmage, Hernandez connected with a deep pass to Korey Partenheimer for a 65-yard touchdown strike just 17 seconds into the game.
Carroll answered right back on their first possession as Kyle Burlingame hit Tyler Enright for a 63-yard touchdown on the Pioneers second play from scrimmage.
The Bluejays took control for good on their ensuing possession, driving 80 yards, keyed by a 49-yard run from Hernandez, to take a 14-7 lead following a two-yard touchdown plunge from Connor Brewer.
After Carroll pinned Elmhurst down at their own one-yard line following a punt, the Bluejays methodically drove downfield with a 16-play drive, eating up over nine minutes of clock. Hernandez hit Matt Brachmann on a 13-yard touchdown pass to cap the drive, giving Elmhurst a 21-7 lead after the first quarter. The Bluejays totaled over 225 yards of offense in the first quarter alone.
Carroll pulled to within seven following an eight-play, 70-yard drive early in the second quarter, capped by a perfectly timed screen pass. With Elmhurst sending an all-out blitz on a third-and-14, Burlingame hit Bennett Kothe on a short screen and Kothe rumbled 47 yards for a touchdown.
Elmhurst responded with a 66-yard drive that resulted in a 20-yard field goal from Blake Bailey. A 75-yards, 11-play drive capped by a nine-yard touchdown pass from Burlingame to Parker Zitzke pulled Carroll to within three points at 24-21 with just under four minutes left to play in the half.
Elmhurst added one last score before the half, moving 71 yards in just over three minutes to take a 31-21 lead at the half following a 30-yard touchdown pass from Hernandez to Austin McKellar.
Elmhurst's defense took advantage of a Carroll mistake early in the third quarter. The shotgun snap sailed over Burlingame's head and Jackson Smith recovered the loose ball for the Bluejays at their own 48-yard line. Nine plays later, Brewer plunged into the end zone from two yards out for his second score of the contest. The touchdown gave Elmhurst a 38-21 cushion.
Following a Carroll punt, the Bluejays marched downfield with a 12-play, 96-yard scoring drive that took seven minutes off of the clock. Hernandez ended the drive with a one-yard quarterback sneak for a touchdown run, giving Elmhurst a 45-21 lead with just 10 minutes remaining.
Carroll added a pair of late touchdowns to make the final score 45-34. The Pioneers scored on a 22-yard touchdown pass from Burlingame to Brandon Ehrke and a two-yard connection from Burlingame to Ehrke.
Elmhurst ran 73 plays for 607 yards, averaging 8.3 yards per play. The Bluejays rushed 47 times for 326 yards, averaging 6.9 yards per carry. Hernandez and Zach Campbell combined to pass for 281 yards through the air.
Elmhurst's defense struggled at times against the Pioneers, surrendering a season-high 34 points and 427 yards. Carroll rushed for just 91 yards on 24 attempts, but Pioneers moved the ball through air, totaling 336 passing yards while completing 22-of-29 attempts.
Brachmann proved to be Hernandez's favorite target, catching six passes for 65 yards and a touchdown.
Burlingame powered Carroll's offense, finishing with 335 passing yards and five touchdowns. Zitzke caught eight passes for 49 yards and a touchdown while Ehrke added five grabs for 87 yards and two scores.
Tristan Bolas led Elmhurst's defense with nine tackles, including one tackle for loss and a pass break-up. Perode Charles registered seven stops and Andy Warsen totaled six.
Elmhurst hosts Carthage College next Saturday, October 15, at 1:00 p.m.