Dec 31, 1969
FRANKLIN, Ind.
— Millikin's football team improved to 2-0 with a 31-24 win at Franklin, Ind. on Saturday. The Big Blue overcame a slow start and sloppy play for the victory after forcing two fumbles and hauling down four second-half interceptions. Despite 14 penalties for 123 yards (21 for 193 yards combined), Millikin's Big Blue stayed focused and made big plays to secure the win, thanks in part to a game-saving interception in the end zone by Stefan Edwards.
Millikin saw senior receiver Nathan Chandler set a new single-game record with 274 yards, including three touchdowns (87, 86, 68). Quarterback Joe Albin also had an outstanding day, completing 17 of 22 passes for 366 yards (tied No. 3 single-game record) and moved into No. 6 in single-game total offense (342). Running back Nathan Wallick, who needed finished the game 10 yards shy of No. 3 on Millikin's career list.
Franklin took a 10-0 lead in the first quarter behind a 5-yard run by Danny Sears and a 27-yard field goal by Beau Zoeller. But Millikin marched back, scoring twice in the second quarter (a 1-yard run by Wallick and an 86-yard pass from Albin to Chandler). In the third quarter, Millikin's Aaron McLean lofted the longest field goal of his career, a 52-yarder to put Millikin up 17-10. Franklin tied the game at 17 on a 1-yard run by Andy Clark and just 18 seconds later Chandler scored again, this time on a 68-yard reception from Albin. With a 24-17 lead, the Grizzlies connected on a 44-yard TD pass from Clark to Brad Ohanian to make it 24-24 heading into the fourth quarter. Millikin got the only score of the final period, an 87-yard strike from Albin to Chandler to complete the scoring adn the Millikin victory.
In a game that went down to the wire, Millikin piled up 366 passing yards compared to 332 for the pass-oriented Franklin. Millikin also out-rushed the home team, 160-119 for a total yardage of 489 (413 for Franklin).
Individually, Wallick led the rushers with 149 yards on 38 carries with one touchdown. Chandler led seven receivers with his 274 yards and three touchdowns to break the record. At quarterback, Albin completed 17-of-22 passes for 366 yards and three touchdowns in the game. Sophomore Aaron McLean also lofted a 52-yard field goal, four yards short of Millikin's record.
On defense, Millikin's Sam Jordan picked up 11 total tackles including six for losses of 16 yards, one pass breakup and two sacks for 9 yards. Dortanian Blount also notched double-digit tackles with 10 including five tackles for losses of 15 yards and two sacks for 12 yards. Millikin had four players drag down interceptions - Matt Jones, Stefan Edwards, Justin Shannon and Gregg Kane. The defense piled up five sacks on the day for 24 yards.
For Franklin, Brad Ohanian led the rushing attack with 41 yards and Brian Nay caught six passes for 63 yards. Clark completed 28 of his 44 passes for 332 with one touchdown, but threw four interceptions and was sacked five times. Defensively for the Grizzlies, Lance Pickrell had 12 tackles, including two for losses of 3 yards.
At 2-0, Millikin returns home next week to host Albion, who beat it 31-26 a year ago.
Press release submitted by Millikin on Sep 19 2005 at 09:21 AM