Eagles Run Game and Takeaways Highlight 31-9 Homecoming Win Over Madonna

Streamwood, Ill. .   The Judson University Football Team earned its first victory of the season on Saturday with an all-out effort on both sides of the ball in a 31-9 victory over Madonna. The victory marks Judson's first homecoming win in program history. 

The Eagles got on the board late in the first quarter when Brandon Mackey scored from 16 yards out. Dakari Ferguson took off on a 46-yard touchdown reception from Christian Miller midway through the second quarter. In the third quarter, O'Vauntay Vickers made his presence known with a six-yard touchdown reception from Miller to make it 21-0 Judson with 9:18 left in the third. Madonna would then score a touchdown with a short drive following an interception. Their other score came 35 seconds after when an intentional grounding call led to a safety. No one would score until late in the fourth quarter. With four minutes remaining, Tomaz Colino hit on a 28-yard field goal to extend the Judson lead to 15. Two minutes later, Sherond Boyd scored on a 14-yard run to make it the 31-9 final result. 

The ground game was a significant difference in the contest as Judson outgained Madonna 296 to -4 on the ground. Mackey led the way with 194 yards and a touchdown. Boyd also added 60 yards and a score. Negil Bruce contributed with 46 yards on four carries, including a 29-yard scamper. In the passing game, Christian Miller was 21-39 with 199 yards and a pair of scores. Vickers had 74 yards receiving on eight catches and had a touchdown. Alex Siebens had six receptions for 54 yards. Ferguson had 53 yards on four receptions, including the long touchdown. 

Defensively, Trey Sayers led the Eagles with five tackles, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. Chance Cregeen had five solo tackles and a tackle for a loss. Jontrell Mitchell had four tackles, including a pair of sacks, along with an interception. Bryce Heerey also had four total tackles and two sacks. Clifton Jimerson had a sack and two tackles for a loss. Jacob Slonski recovered a fumble for the Eagles as well. 

On special teams, Tomaz Colino made all five of his kicks, including four extra points and a field goal. 

"It's always good to get that first win!" said Head Coach Dan Paplaczyk. "Nothing comes easy in this conference, but our guys put together a team win through all three phases. The defense played lights out and gave the offense the ball in good field position over and over. Trey Sayers and Jontrell Mitchell made big plays all over the field. On offense, the OL played great. We ran for almost 300 yards, and Brandon Mackey was a one-man wrecking crew. He never goes down on the first hit and was the difference for us offensively. He's the first 100-yard rusher and went for 194. A good team win!"

Judson (1-2, 0-0 MSFAW) will travel to Bourbonnais to take on Olivet Nazarene next Saturday, beginning at 6:00 p.m.