Box Score

DECATUR, Ill. – Augustana rallied for 22 unanswered fourth-quarter points Saturday, but its comeback came up short in a 43-35 loss to Millikin at Lindsay Field. The Vikings dropped to 2-5 overall and 1-4 in the CCIW, while the host Big Blue improved to 3-3 o the year and 2-2 in the league.
 
Millikin took the opening kickoff and went 85 yards in 11 plays with Gerald Perry hauling in a 31-yard scoring strike from Nicco Stepina to cap the march. Chayce Volpert's point after attempt was no good and the hosts led 6-0.
 
Augustana held the ball for 13 plays and nearly eight minutes on its first possession, eventually reaching the Big Blue 17-yared line. However, a pair of penalties and a third-down sack pushed the Vikings out of field goal range and they were forced to punt.
 
Millikin extended its lead to 20-0 late in the first half. First, Stepina and Perry hooked up again, this time for a 70-yard touchdown pass with 5:55 left to cap a four-play, 84-yard drive. After an Augustana three-and-out, the Big Blue went 57 yards in four plays for their third score. Stepina hit David Jackson with a 44-yard scoring pass with 3:07 left in the half. Volpert converted both PAT's.
 
The visitors got on the board with 1:10 before halftime. Sophomore quarterback Luke Bleyer (Williamsville HS, Springfield, Ill.) hit freshmen Bobby Jarosz (Prospect HS, Mt. Prospect, Ill.) for 30 yards and Nick Karis (Glenbrook North HS, Northbrook, Ill.) for 12 before connecting with senior Danny Lattner (Fenwick HS, Riverside, Ill.) for 29 yards and the Vikings' first touchdown. Junior Jacob Stytz's (Minooka HS, Channahon, Ill.) point after cut the deficit to 20-7.
 
It took Millikin just 29 seconds and five plays to go 60 yards for an answering touchdown. Stepina threw his fourth touchdown pass of the half—a 14-yarder to Jordan Smith that sent the Big Blue to the locker room with a 27-7 lead.
 
Stepina's fifth scoring toss of the day put his team up 34-7 early in the third quarter. He hit Smith again from four yards out to finish off an eight-play, 46-yard drive.
 
Bleyer guided a 13-play, 79-yard touchdown drive, capping it with a 10-yard touchdown pass to senior Andrew Garcia (West Leyden HS, Melrose Park, Ill.). A two-point conversion attempt failed. Augustana forced a three-and-out on the Big Blue's next possession, but a 71-yard Wyatt Fox punt pinned the Vikings at their own two-yard line and on first down, Nikia Averitte tackled Jarosz in the end zone to put Millikin up 36-13.
 
Millikin took the ensuing free kick and went 49 yards in four plays for another touchdown. Stepina's sixth touchdown pass of the day went 14 yards to Avante Meriwether and gave the Big Blue a 43-13 lead with 13:30 to play.
 
Bleyer hit sophomore Justin Pope (Whale Branch HS, Beaufort, S.C.) with a four-yard touchdown pass to cap an eight-play, 53-yard march. After a Millikin three-and-out, Zachary Fuller (St. Patrick HS, Schiller Park, Ill.) replaced Bleyer and led Augustana on a six-play, 65-yard touchdown drive. The sophomore went five for five, including a nine-yard scoring toss to Jarosz. He hit Pope for the two-point conversion and the Vikings trailed 43-28 with 6:15 left.
 
After another Big Blue punt, Fuller went back to work. He completed six passes on an 80-yard drive, three of which went to Lattner, including a 27-yard connection on fourth-and-18. Fuller's 14-yard touchdown pass to Lattner and Stytz's PAT pulled Augustana to within 43-35 with five seconds left. However, Millikin recovered the ensuing onside kick and ran out the clock.
 
Bleyer finished 19 of 31 for 219 yards and three touchdowns in his first varsity start. Fuller was 11 of 16 for 144 yards and two scores in less than a quarter of action. Lattner caught 10 passes for 147 yards and two touchdowns and Jarosz led the rushing attack with 60 yards on 14 carries. Senior Frank Kalble (Hersey HS, Arlington Heights, Ill.) had a game-high 10 tackles including 2½ for loss.
 
The Vikings are back in action on Saturday, October 22, hosting league-leading North Central in a 1:00 p.m. contest at Lindberg Stadium.