Eureka’s Second Half Surge Propels the Red Devils to Fifth Straight Win
EUREKA, ILL – Senior Tyler Winders tied the game late in the second quarter 3-3 on a 33 yard field goal breaking the school's all-time Field Goal record but a strong second half led the Red Devils to their fifth straight victory 17-3 over Crown College
The win is also Coach Kurt Barth's 36th at the helm of the Red Devil program tying legendary coach Ralph McKinzie for the most wins in school history.
Crown College started off the scoring early in the second quarter on a 26 yard field goal from Chad Anenson. Eureka then tied the game on Winders' record breaking 33 yard field goal. The score remained 3-3 as both teams went to the locker rooms for the half.
The Red Devils bobbled the opening kick-off of the second half and were forced to start the third quarter at their own 14. Freshman quarterback Drew Barth then led Eureka College on a 14 play 86 yard drive that took 7 minutes and 48 seconds off the clock. That drive ended on a six yard pass from Barth to LeAnthony Reasnover giving the Red Devils a 10-3 lead, a lead they would not relinquish.
After a defensive stop on the ensuing Storm possession the nation's leading team in time of possession took over at their own 38 yard line. Drew Barth and the Red Devils went back to work scoring on a six play drive that took 2 minutes and 43 seconds off the clock. Josh Mead scored on a 22 yard reception from Barth giving the Red Devils the 17-3 lead.
The Red Devils continued their time of possession dominance maintaining possession for 38 minutes and 10 seconds. Eureka's Defense, led by Ray Vogel's two tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks, continued their stellar season limiting the storm to 172 total yards and a third down conversion percentage of 10%.
Eureka's 364 yards came more through the air than in recent weeks with 197 yards passing. Eureka's offensive success was led by Drew Barth with 197 yards through the air and 50 on the ground. The Storm were able to keep sophomore running back LeAnthony Reasnover relatively in check with 88 yards rushing. The 88 yards does put Reasnover into the 1000 yard rushing club with two games left.
It was also an impressive day for the Eureka's receiving corp as ten Red Devils accounted for the 197 yards through the air. They were led by Josh Mead's four receptions for 58 yards and Brandon Vinson's 3 receptions for 33 yards.
The Red Devils return to McKinzie Field on Saturday, October 29 at noon to face Minnesota-Morris. With their win today the Red Devils remain tied for first place in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference with two games to play. Both games will be at McKinzie Field and fans are encouraged to come out and support the Red Devils.