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Lee
Maija Rantala
18
Millikin MIL 3-5 , 2-4
25
Winner Carthage CAR 3-4 , 2-3
Millikin MIL
3-5 , 2-4
18
Final
25
Carthage CAR
3-4 , 2-3
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th OT F
MIL Millikin 7 11 0 0 0 18
CAR Carthage 7 0 0 11 7 25

Game Recap: Football |

Carthage Football Erases 11-Point Deficit to Defeat Millikin in Overtime

KENOSHA, Wis. — The Carthage College football team rallied from an 11-point deficit in the fourth quarter to defeat Millikin University, 25-18, in overtime on Saturday afternoon at Art Keller Field. The Firebirds forced overtime with a late fourth-quarter field goal before scoring the game-winning touchdown on the opening possession of overtime to secure the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin victory and their first overtime victory since 2010. 

The Basics
  • Final Score: Carthage 25, Millikin 18 (OT)
  • Location: Kenosha, Wis. — Art Keller Field
  • Records: Carthage 4-4, 3-3 CCIW; Millikin 3-5, 2-4 CCIW
How it Happened
  • Millikin opened the scoring with a 3-yard rushing touchdown with 4:42 remaining in the first quarter. 
  • Carthage answered late in the period, as quarterback Leo Chiappetta rushed for a 1-yard touchdown with 11 seconds left to tie the game at 7-7.
  • The Big Blue regained the lead in the second quarter with a 31-yard rushing touchdown with 9:32 remaining. Millikin added a 32-yard field goal with 35 seconds left in the half to take an 18-7 advantage into the break.
  • Both defenses kept the game scoreless throughout the third quarter. Carthage worked to close the gap, putting together a 71-yard drive that carried into the fourth quarter.
  • The Firebirds made it an 18-15 game when Chiappetta connected with running back Chase Nurczyk for an 11-yard touchdown pass with 14:48 remaining. Haiden Janke completed the extra point with a pass to give Carthage two points on the conversion.
  • Carthage's defense came up with a key stop later in the fourth quarter, forcing Millikin to turn the ball over on downs at the Firebirds' 19-yard line with 10:08 remaining. Carthage then put together a 15-play, 60-yard drive that consumed more than eight minutes.
  • The Firebirds tied the game at 18-18 with 2:05 remaining when Mugdim Kreho connected on a 39-yard field goal, capping a 15-play, 60-yard drive that lasted more than eight minutes. Millikin had an opportunity to respond on its final possession, but Carthage's defense held firm to force overtime.
  • Carthage won the overtime coin toss and got the ball first. The Firebirds capitalized on the opportunity, as Nurczyk broke through for a 13-yard rushing touchdown. Kreho converted the extra point to give Carthage a 25-18 lead. 
  • The Firebirds then stopped Millikin's ensuing possession to secure the seven-point victory with a fumble recovered by Antray Lee and complete the comeback.  


High Flyers
  • Chiappetta completed 20 of 29 passes for 209 yards and a touchdown while adding 24 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.
  • Nurczyk led the Firebirds on the ground with 59 rushing yards and a touchdown on 16 carries. He also caught six passes for 43 yards and a receiving touchdown.
  • Luke Carter led Carthage's receiving group with six catches for 75 yards, while Haiden Janke added 51 receiving yards on four catches.
  • The Firebirds' defense recorded 61 total tackles, including four tackles for loss by Jeremy Rowlett, who finished with six tackles and a sack.
  • Mariano Talamantez led Carthage with 10 tackles, while Ramon Campos added nine. The Firebirds also forced a fumble and recorded a fumble recovery.

Coachs Remarks


Team Results
  • Carthage heads to North Central (Ill.) on Saturday, October 31 at 1 p.m. 
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