BLUEJAY FOOTBALL TEAM FALLS TO ILLINOIS WESLEYAN 44-29

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ELMHURST, Ill. October 2, 2004 -- Eric Luna (Wadsworth-Carmel) became just the third Bluejay in school history to rush for over 2,000 career yards, but the Elmhurst College Bluejay football team dropped their first game of the season, falling to Illinois Wesleyan University 44-29 in Bloomington.

The Titans came out firing, jumping out to a 14-0 lead just six minutes into the game. IWU took the opening kickoff 70 yards in seven plays capped off by a Tom Kudyba one-yard touchdown run. After a three-and-out by the Bluejays, the Titans marched 82 yards in eight plays with Rick Alvis ripping off a 34-yard touchdown run to cap the drive.

Elmhurst responded and got on the board on the last play of the first quarter when Luna capped a 13-play, 95-yard drive with a seven yard touchdown run. Elmhurst's extra point was blocked and the Titans led 14-6 at that point.

Illinois Wesleyan answered right back as the Titans scored on their next posses when Alvis scored on a 30-yard touchdown run to the Titans up 21-6. A Mike Berry field goal with 5:31 to play in the half gave Illinois Wesleyan a 24-6 advantage.

Elmhurst got on the board with just under a minute to play in the half when Dom Demma (Carol Stream-Glenbard North) hit Andy Brogan (Carol Stream-Glenbard North) with a one-yard touchdown pass. The Bluejays' two-point conversion attempt failed and Elmhurst trailed 24-12 at the break.

Elmhurst's offense exploded in the start of the third quarter. The Bluejays took the opening kickoff 68 yards in six plays with Luna scampering into the end zone from four yards out to close the deficit to 24-18 after the extra point was blocked.

After Elmhurst's defense held the Titans, the offense went back to work with Demma leading a 62-yard drive in 10 plays and hitting Todd Evans (Carol Stream-Glenbard North) with a 10-yard touchdown pass. Demma found Luna in the end zone for a two-point conversion to give Elmhurst its first and only lead of the game at 26-24.

Elmhurst's defense held again, but the Bluejays next drive stalled at the Titans' 30-yard line. Illinois Wesleyan took control of the game late in the third quarter when Kudyba put the Titans back on top with a 34-yard touchdown pass to Eric White with 30 seconds to play in the third quarter.

IWU scored again at the start of the fourth quarter when Ryan Spellman rushed in from two yards out to put IWU up 37-26. The Titans put the game away with 3:22 to play when Marcus Dunlap scored on a one-yard touchdown run to give Illinois Wesleyan a 44-26 win.

Elmhurst gained 385 yards on 70 plays with 296 yards coming through the air and 89 coming on the ground. The Titans gained 480 yards of total offense on 71 plays. IWU passed for 230 yards and rushed for 250.

Luna led the ground assault with 93 yards on 29 carries and two touchdowns. Luna now sits third all-time on the career rushing list at Elmhurst College with 2,020 yards. Demma completed 23-of-32 passes for 249 yards and two touchdowns. He also threw his first interception of the season.

Terence Young (Chicago-DeLaSalle) was Demma's favorite target, catching nine balls for 117 yards. Evans caught five passes for 94 yards and a touchdown.

Ward Brady (Bartlett-Glenbard North) led the Bluejays' defense with 17 tackles including nine solo stops. Danny Dichiara (Ormond Beach, Fla.-Father Lopez).

The Bluejays (3-1 overall, 0-1 CCIW) will look to rebound from the loss next Saturday (October 9) when they host North Park University at 1:00 p.m. as part of the College's annual homecoming festivities.