EU Football Loses First Game 28-13 but Bounces Back with a Road Win

Elmhurst University opened the 2026 football season with a 28-13 loss to Illinois College on Sept. 5 at Langhorst Field, but the Bluejays showed several encouraging signs, especially late in the game, which aided them in their win against Rockford University last Saturday.

In their first game, EU kept the game close throughout the first half, relying on its defense to prevent Illinois College from pulling away. The Bluejays allowed only seven points over the first two quarters and went into halftime trailing by just one.

That gave EU a chance to make a push in the second half, but the third quarter proved to be the turning point. A few costly mistakes gave Illinois College good opportunities to add to its lead.

Just 52 seconds into the third quarter, Illinois College defensive back Dylan Beadle returned an interception 20 yards for a touchdown, pushing the score to 14-0. Illinois College went on to score 21 points in the quarter, putting EU in a difficult position entering the final period.

Even with the larger deficit, the Bluejays continued to compete instead of letting the game get away from them. EU’s offense began to find more success in the fourth quarter, giving the team something positive to take from the season opener.

Running back Jonathan Billions provided the first breakthrough with a 27-yard touchdown run, scoring EU’s first points of the season. The play helped give the Bluejays momentum and showed that the offense was capable of creating explosive plays.

EU kept fighting in the final minutes and finished the game with its best offensive possession of the afternoon. Quarterback Justin Carlson led the Bluejays on a 17-play, 94-yard drive that moved the offense nearly the entire length of the field.

Carlson finished the drive by connecting with wide receiver Antonio Russell for a 7-yard touchdown pass as time expired, giving EU its second touchdown of the fourth quarter.

While the final score did not go in EU’s favor, the Bluejays showed improvement as the game went on. The defense helped keep the game manageable early, while the offense found better rhythm and consistency in the fourth quarter.

The season opener also gave EU a clearer idea of what it needs to improve moving forward, including limiting turnovers and finding that offensive rhythm earlier in the game.

EU Football bounced back from their season opening loss with a road win over Rockford University. The Jays victory at Sam Greeley Field gave them their first win of the season, with a final score of 28-14, providing them with some early momentum headed into College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin play.