Sangamon Sun

The Illinois College football team secured its fifth consecutive win by defeating Cornell 42-14 in a Midwest Conference game held at England Stadium. This victory places the Blueboys at 7-2 overall and 6-2 in the conference, while the Rams are now 4-5 overall and 4-4 in league play.

Illinois College took an early lead with a score of 21-0 after the first quarter. Destin Chance connected with Collin Brunstein for a 17-yard touchdown, followed by offensive tackle Evan Henley scoring his first collegiate touchdown by recovering a fumble in the end zone. The quarter ended with another Chance to Brunstein connection for a 53-yard touchdown.

The second quarter remained scoreless, maintaining IC's three-touchdown lead into halftime. In the second half, Cornell's Elliott Dryland scored on a 61-yard pass from John Smith. IC responded with Kyle Leonard catching a 25-yard touchdown pass from Chance, followed by another long pass to Brunstein for a third-quarter score.

In the final quarter, both teams scored once more. Chance found Brunstein again for an eight-yard touchdown, while Rommel Pinner caught a five-yard pass from Smith for Cornell’s final score.

Toby McTamney successfully converted all six extra point attempts, extending his streak to 33 consecutive successful kicks over four games.

Chance became Illinois College's all-time leader in touchdown passes during this game, completing 22 of 33 passes for 350 yards and five touchdowns. Brunstein was instrumental with nine receptions totaling 201 yards and four touchdowns. Other key players included Leonard with three catches for 55 yards and Trey Birdsong with five receptions.

On the ground, Lleyton Miller rushed for 86 yards on 14 carries and Tanner Spencer added another 80 yards on 13 carries. Defensively, Cam Dailey and Drake Stuart led with nine tackles each.

The Blueboys have now won fifteen of their last seventeen regular-season games. Chance has accumulated a record-breaking total of career touchdown passes at Illinois College, while Brunstein continues to set records as well.

Illinois College will conclude its regular season against Beloit next Saturday on Senior Day at Noon.