Blueboys top St. Norbert in homecoming football game

Michael Bates threw for 347 and five touchdowns and Illinois College scored a 48-34 homecoming win over St. Norbert College on Saturday at England Stadium in Jacksonville.

Bates and the Blueboys built a 21-0 lead only to watch it slip away by halftime, but used a big second half to put the Knights away. IC scored 20 unanswered points in the third quarter to rebuild its lead. The Blueboy defense helped finish off St. Norbert, intercepting QB Mike Fabrizio three times and sacking him four times.

"I'm excited for the kids and the entire Illinois College community," Illinois College football coach Garrett Campbell said. "This was a hard-fought game and I'm glad so many alumni came home to see it."

Bates threw a pair of touchdown passes to Kevin Fuller and one each to Brock Thompson, Kevin Wallace and Matt Williamson. Cecil Brimmage ran for 125 yards, including a 61-yard touchdown scamper, Bates added 64 more yards on the ground and Thompson found the end zone on a 10-yard reverse run play.

Carter Cox made a team-high 13 tackles for IC. Jake DeFauw had 10 tackles. Dylan DeFauw made two interceptions and forced a fumble. Devin Gay, Willie Barefield, Zack Meyer and Cox recorded quarterback sacks. Meyer also forced a fumble. Cox blocked a punt. Eric Fisher made his fourth interception of the season.

Illinois College improved to 5-1 overall and 4-1 in Midwest Conference play. The Blueboys travel to Knox College next Saturday for a 1 p.m. kickoff.