DECATUR, Ill. – The Carroll University football team jumped in front and stayed ahead the whole game as they secured a 26-18 win over the Millikin University Big Blue. The Pios secured back-to-back winning seasons in the CCIW for the first time since 1989 and 1990.
Keon Miller moved into second place all-time in program history in kick return yards.
The Pioneers (6-3, 5-3 CCIW) only accumulated 235 yards of total offense after
Josh Raby left the game due to injury. The Passing offense of Raby and
Tyler McClain combined for 149 yards with seven total completions. The Pios converted 4-17 third downs with nine total first downs. The Pio defense led by
Steven Lazaris' seven tackles, four tackles for loss, and two sacks, kept Millikin to under 50 yards rushing. The Pios forced two fumbles, recovered one, and recorded an interception at the hands of
Jonathan Rau.
Jake Binkowski led the group with three pass breakups.
Jagger Vine forced the first turnover of the game on Millikin's second offensive drive that Binkowski returned 14 yards before being stopped. With the ball on Millikin's ten-yardline, Raby ran in for the score on third and goal. On their next offensive drive, the Pios capped off a six-play, 75-yard drive with a 52-yard touchdown pass to
Josh Hill to take a 14-0 lead in the first quarter.
Inside the red zone, the Pioneers couldn't convert in goal-to-go situations, but
Jacob Laurent kicked in the field goal from 35 yards out to start the second quarter. both teams struggled on offense with multiple three-and-outs until the Big Blue converted on a six-play drive to come up with six points. Millikin tried to add to their total with less than 30 seconds remaining but missed the field goal attempt from 52 yards away.
Millikin was inside Carroll territory at the start of the second half, but a mishandled snap led to Carroll gaining control of the football at their own 37-yard line. One play later, McClain connected with
Austin Eichstaedt for a 63-yard touchdown to go up 24-6. Millikin's next drive resulted in seven points for the Big Blue.
Rau intercepted Millikin's pass in the Pioneer red zone during a six-play drive, but Carroll was unable to convert the turnover into points. Millikin got the ball back five plays later and scored in 47 seconds.
Noah Streveler pinned the big blue inside their 20-yard line midway through the fourth quarter. Two plays later,
Riley Stobb secured a safety after a fumbled snap inside the Millikin endzone.
Millikin could not convert on their next two drives, and the Pioneers ran out the clock the final 2:35 of the game.
Carroll will host Washington University in St. Louis next week Saturday in the regular season finale at Schneider Stadium.
