BOXSCORE
Elmhurst, Ill. – The Thunder football team remained undefeated with a 48-7 win at Elmhurst College on Saturday afternoon. Wheaton, ranked fifth in the most recent AFCA Division III Coaches Poll, improves to 8-0 overall and 5-0 in the CCIW. Elmhurst is 4-4 overall and 1-4 in CCIW play. The Thunder will host Carthage next Saturday in a 1 PM kickoff at McCully Stadium for "Family Weekend".
The Thunder dominated Elmhurst throughout today's game. The Thunder defense held the Bluejays to 136 yards of offense, including minus-10 rushing yards. Wheaton tallied 476 yards of offense, with 257 passing yards and 219 rushing yards. The Thunder offense moved inside the Elmhurst 20-yard line seven times in the game, scoring on six of those occasions. The 'Orange and Blue' also dominated Elmhurst in time of possession, as the Thunder held onto the ball of 36:11, to 23:49 for Elmhurst.
Wheaton led 14-0 at halftime thanks to a pair of first half touchdown runs. Junior Andrew Hershey (PICTURED RIGHT) scored on a three-yard run in the first quarter and fullback Dan Newman reached on a one-yard run in the second quarter.
The guests took a commanding lead with 24 points in the third quarter. Junior kicker Tim Ellingsen booted a 31-yard field goal to open Wheaton's third-quarter scoring. Elmhurst's lone trip to the end zone for the game came on a 44-yard touchdown pass from Chris Kudyba to Blake Veldhuis. Wheaton's lead increased to 31-7 when Brett Jackson scored on a two-yard run and then quarterback Kyle Bradley (PICTURED LEFT) tossed a 40-yard touchdown pass to Alex Pokorny. With 2:26 left in the third quarter defensive lineman Ben Kuenzle tipped a Kudyba pass that landed in the arms of defensive tackle Grant Roszkowiak who ran into the end zone for an 18-yard interception return for a touchdown that extended the Thunder lead to 38-7.
Ellingsen kicked a 32-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter and freshman tailback Rocky Gingg scored on a five-yard run mid-way through the final quarter to account for the final score of 48-7.
Kyle Bradley completed 15 of his 26 passing attempts for 257 yards, with one touchdown. Jackson carried the ball 20 times for a game-high 94 yards, with one touchdown run. Hershey ran for 93 yards on 15 carries, with one touchdown.
Cornerback Tyler Langs (PICTURED RIGHT) recorded a team-high eight total tackles. Eric Theisen tallied five total tackles, with three tackles for lost yardage, including two quarterback sacks and he forced a fumble. Defensive tackle Nick Theobald added five tackles, with a pass deflection. Senior Jordan Kemper excelled on kickoff and punt coverage, making six total tackles, all on special teams.
Jake Brashares led the Elmhurst defense with 13 total tackles, including nine solos. Joe Anfuso tallied 11 total tackles. Dane Paul, Matt Kelly and Jake Mobley each recorded seven total tackles for the Bluejays.
