Millikin Outruns Greenville 27-17 in "Battle of the Backs"
Published: April 13, 2021
DECATUR, Ill. -- The Greenville football team (1-3) lost for the second straight week on the road, falling to the MillikinBig Blue 27-17.
The Panthers had another great week from senior running back Anthony Ambers ashe finished the game with 176 rushing yards on 24 carries and one touchdown.
The Big Blue (3-0) was carried on the back of senior Dion Wilson who rushed for 244 yards on 24 carries and two touchdowns.
Each running back sprung long touchdown runs in the game. Ambers' 52-yard run in the third quarter was sandwiched by Wilson's 66-yard and 70-yard runs in the first and fourth quarters.
Defensively, the Panthers were led by senior linebacker Joel Deayon withtwo sacks andseven tackles. Junior safety Andy Lozano toppedthe team withfour solo andnine total tackles. The defense also forced three fumbles by the Big Blue and recovered two of them.
Freshman Luis Diaz had another big game for the Panthers. He made 3-of-4 field goals, connecting from 21, 36, and 33 yards. The only miss came from 39 yards out.
The Panthers started well with a huge momentum play by recovering a fumble on Millikin's first offensive play. The Panther offense could not capitalize on this break and were forced to punt. On their next drive, the Big Blue offense bounced back from their mistake with a 66-yard touchdown run by Wilson.
After three possessions resulting in punts, Millikin had the ball in the red zone. The Panther defense held firm, and Deayon's third down sack forced the Big Blue to settle for a field goal.
The second quarter started with the Panthers finally getting on the board. A Diaz field goal made the score 10-3. Each team madeanother made field goal, entering halftime withMillikin leading13-6.
The third quarter was a defensive showcase as neither offense could move the ball very well. The Panthers did find a way to put together an 11-play 52-yard drive and cut the Millikin lead with another Diaz field goal to 13-9.
A three-yard touchdown run by Wilson started the fourth quarter. The scored remained 20-9 until there was 6:26 left in the game when Ambers broke his 52-yard touchdown run. The Panthers converted the two-point attempt making it a three point game 20-17.
The excitement and energy of the visiting Panthers was short lived as the Big Blue came back on their next drive and pulled the plug on the comeback. Wilson's 70-yard touchdown run gave the Big Blue a 27-17 lead. The Panthers couldn't put together another drive, and Millikin ended the game by taking a knee.
Next week, the Panthers begin UMAC play, hosting Martin Luther(2-2) at Francis Field in Greenville at 1 p.m.
