DECATUR, Ill. — Millikin opened its season Saturday with a 28-13 win over visiting Franklin. Millikin's offense started slow, trailing 10-0 at the end of the first quarter, but back-to-back touchdowns in the second quarter gave the Big Blue a lead it never relinquished.
Running back Jemelle Shepherd opened the season in impressive fashion, piling up 211 yards on 34 carries and scoring three of the team's four touchdowns. With a long run of 45 yards, Shepherd averaged 6.2 yards per carry on the day.
Shepherd got Millikin on the board with 11:26 remaining in the second quarter on a 1-yard run and Andy Beals' extra point got the Big Blue within three points, 10-7. At the 1:10 mark of the second quarter, quarterback Donnell Brown charged in from 30 yards and Beals added another PAT go give Millikin a 14-10 advantage at the half.
Shepherd added to the Big Blue lead at the 5:48 mark of the third quarter on a 45-yard run, capped by the third of Beals' four extra points on the day.
The defense forced Franklin to settle for a 30-yard field goal with 11:11 remaining after a 22-play sequence that ate up 9:37 and netted 67 yards. Shepherd sealed the win on a 4-yard touchdown run with 3:20 left.
Brown finished the day 4-for-8 with one interception and 51 yards. His long pass of 31-yards was caught by Eric Pabon. Nathan Wallick picked up 30 yards on three carries behind Shepherd.
On special teams, Nathan Chandler had three punt returns for 42 yards and three kickoff returns for 71 yards. Defensively, Jason Lynch tallied five solo and three assisted tackles, broke up three passes and recorded an interception and returned it 16 yards.
Franklin finished the game 25 for 41 passing with 231 yards with just 66 yards on 26 attempts.
Game Story
