Eureka Drops Season Opener at Nebraska Wesleyan, 69-20

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Eureka football team came out on the wrong end of an offensive showcase for Nebraska Wesleyan on Saturday, falling 69-20 in its season opener at Abel Stadium.

The Red Devils fell into a 21-0 hole in the first quarter, but managed to scrap together 20 points over the next 13 minutes, making it 55-20 at halftime.

Ben Bernabei (Peru, Ill./St. Bede Academy) scored Eureka's first touchdown of the season on a nine-yard touchdown toss from quarterback Nathan Garard (Gibson City, Ill./Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley) with 2:09 left in the first quarter.

On the next EC drive, Garard found senior Pierce Bradford (Decatur, Ill./Argenta-Oreana) over the top for a 60-yard touchdown pass. Then, with 4:36 left, Garard connected with Bradford again for a 32-yard score.

Garard finished the game with a career-high 247 yards on 20-of-29 passing, three touchdowns and three interceptions. His 20 completions were also a career-high.  

Bradford hauled in eight receptions for 157 yards and two TDs. Fellow receiver Malek Folston (Cocoa, Fla./Vera) made six catches for 35 yards.

On the defensive side, sophomore Austin Hopkins (Arcola, Ill./Arcola) notched a team-high six total tackles. Jon Jackson (Peoria, Ill./Richwoods) added five total tackles and a sack, while Alexander Brittain (Eureka, Ill./Eureka) and Bryson Smith (Cisco, Ill./Monticello) both had four total tackles. Nehemiah Butler (Elmwood, Ill./Elmwood) and Kwentin Brookins (Gary, Ind./Westmont) each recorded an interception.

On the other side of the ball, Nebraska Wesleyan's threw for 393 yards and seven touchdowns on 17=of-24 passing. David O'Connell (128 receiving yards), Kevin Tims (105 receiving yards) and Alex Mathis (97 receiving yards) all recorded two touchdowns apiece.

Next week, Eureka (0-1) will look to bounce back when the Red Devils host Olivet at 1 p.m. at McKinzie Field.