Millikin Football recorded its first win since 2022 against Luther Burden last Saturday thanks to a hard team effort led by new head coach Billy Riebock.
This season marks a significant rebuilding year, as the team has decided to move on from their former coach, Carlton Hall.
Under Hall, the team only managed a 4-26 record in the last 3 years. This year, however, the team looks forward to an eventful year with the youngest core Millikin football has ever had. With 63 first-year students, the players have come to win.
“I kind of knew once Riebock came in, things would change. These guys care now, whereas previously we had individuals who didn’t. However, these guys genuinely care about and love this game. You can tell when we play,” Millikin captain Alex Araiza said.
This new mindset is one thing that Riebock emphasized when he took the reins as head coach.
“We’re a program that is about serving leadership, doing it the right way, and creating Millikin men,” Riebock said. “I love the talent, I like the mindset. I think it’s going to be interesting. We need to do a good job bringing [freshmen] along because they are freshmen.”
Millikin also has many returning players, and Riebock has a big plan for them as well.
“It’s all hands on deck. If you can help us win and it’s the Millikin way, you’re out there,” he said.
Riebock’s first game as a head coach was a success, with Millikin coming out on top 33-3.
“It’s been a whirlwind experience,” he said. “I’m really excited and fortunate to have the staff we’ve assembled. [The staff] has made up for many of my mistakes so far, and we have terrific kids and the support of the administration, the professors, and everyone associated.”
Riebock has had a successful collegiate coaching career, coaching many schools with many different coaching jobs, including D1 programs such as Ball State and Rice University.
Millikin has officially gone all-in on the rebuild this year, with 63 freshman football players listed on the roster and 83 new players in total. The young team is looking to be built around Riebock’s coaching and offensive mindset.
Freshman running back Re’John Zeno is grateful for the opportunity the staff has given him to prove himself.
“The coaches gave me an opportunity,” he said. “I felt I didn’t have anywhere else to go, but they allowed me to play.”
And so he did. Zeno recorded a spectacular 119 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns to go along with it. However, he realized that his efforts were made possible by the team around him.
“It’s a team effort,” he said. “Everyone has bought in, and they did their job. I want to become better, have better stats, but as a team effort, I want to win.”
His head coach has recognized his efforts.
“Zeno is really exciting,” Riebock said. He’s an even better person than he is a player. Very respectful and humble, and we are fortunate to have him here.”
The young running back phenom isn’t the only new member of the team to show off their talents.
New quarterback Sylas Gomez is here to fight right alongside Riebock. There were several reasons why he came to Millikin.
“I wanted to turn around this program,” he said. “And coach Riebock, I had a lot of faith in him.”
Sylas was an efficient 16/24 to go with 184 passing yards and a touchdown, while also gathering 58 yards rushing. Although it was the first win in two years for the Big Blue, Sylas is already looking ahead to the following week.
“It’s just another game, nothing’s different, just looking to execute,” he said. “It’s great to have guys I can distribute the ball to easily. I get the ball to them and they do the rest, and they make me look good.”
Sylas, a transfer from Sam Houston State University to Millikin, is expecting a whole lot of winning.
“For his first college start in a while, he did his job,” Riebock said. “He gave us the chance to end up in the right column, which is a W. I know there’s a lot of growth in him, so that’s what’s exciting.”
Millikin has retained much of its talent from previous years, with a focal point of that talent being captain Alex Araiza. A highly respected member of Millikin’s defense, he has been an integral part of the unit to begin the season.
“I sleep more easily at night,” Riebock said. “He is the backbone of our defense, a helluva worker who takes care of his business in and out of the classroom. While working a full-time job, he’s one of our captains. You can’t put into words what he means to the team. The more the team can emulate a guy like Alex, the better we are gonna be.”
Araiza recorded a nine-tackle game with 2 TFLs, a sack, and served as the centerpiece of Millikin’s defense in their 33-3 win over Luther.
“I just lead by example, and they follow,” he said. “That’s all it’s about. I’m just out there doing what I love to, hitting people as hard as I can.”
Araiza has been a part of Millikin since 2021 and has experienced the hardships that came with it. He has high hopes for what Riebock will be able to do.
“I see we will win many games under coach Riebock,” he said.
Coach Riebock aims to leave a lasting legacy at Millikin and establish a promising future for the institution. With his family, the team, and the fans behind him, he understands how fortunate he is to have this opportunity. Riebock is keeping a confident mindset going into the season and looks forward to what is to come while also looking forward to seeing the fans come to support the team this season.
“We need you,” he said. “We can’t thank you enough for the support.”
Millikin Football is ready for a change, and thanks to coach Riebock and the excellent team he’s put around him, the sky is the limit. Be sure to come see the home opener as Millikin opens CCIW play against North Park.