Millikin Football prepares to take on the Augustana Vikings tomorrow in Rock Island.
Coming off a close win against North Park University, they are prepared to take on another rival CCIW team in Augustana.
Millikin last beat Augustana in 2021 in a 27-21 overtime thriller. However, they are prepared and ready to take on the Vikings and keep their undefeated season alive.
While Millikin remains undefeated, they have not lost their footing and stay locked in on winning everything this season.
“It starts with our level of excellence. We’re very demanding, holding people accountable, and I think we have not, and will never, earn the right to not be where our feet are,” Head Coach Billy Riebock said. “I think the beauty of this team is that no matter what happens Saturday, there’s such a hunger. We’re fighting not to allow any complacency or entitlement or anything like that.”
Augustana is coming off a loss and is looking for a massive win for their homecoming game. Millikin football players have expressed their own opinions about the occasion.
“I feel like it’s very disrespectful that they scheduled us for their homecoming, so I’m bringing everything that I got, and my team is coming right behind me,” Defensive Back Zyon Turner said.
Millikin’s defense has been showing out so far this season, holding opposing teams to only 20 points in the two games. Turner has been playing inspiring defense, and this is heavily motivated by his personal experiences growing up.
“Growing up, I always had that mentality, and I’m still coming from nothing. So, I’m hungry, like everything I get my hands on I want to snap it,” he said.
A significant part of Millikin’s struggles in the last game was on special teams. Missing field goals, PATs, allowing a blocked PAT returned for a 2-point conversion, and having trouble with long snaps, resulting in a safety for North Park was something that the team knows cannot happen again. However, over the week of practice, Millikin has emphasized the importance of special teams.
“We definitely hit on those. That’s just an error that can’t have happened. We got lucky by winning that game, with those errors. But it’s just about perfecting it and making sure we get it all down. We got it straight away this week, and I’m looking forward to Saturday,” Punter Joe Brummer said.
Additionally, Riebock provided his own input on the special team improvements when asked.
“We’ve put a heavy emphasis on it. We devote so much time to it daily,” he said.
Quarterback Sylas Gomez prepares to take on a red-hot Augustana Defense, highlighted by Defensive Back Toby Splitt, who leads CCIW in tackles and is 4th in pass breakups and interceptions.
“I mean, they do have some great players, but I’m going to take my guys any day,” he said.
Gomez has been impressive at spreading the ball around this season, with the last game connecting with seven different targets in the air. Highlighted in this is his connection with Wide Receiver Kevin Louis, who recorded seven receptions for 80 yards and a Touchdown against North Park.
Millikin is looking to advance to (3-0) on the season and (2-0) in conference play this Saturday.
Coach Riebock gave his signature score prediction for the game.
“Millikin by one,” he said. “That’s all that matters.”
The Millikin Big Blue is ready and prepared to take revenge on Augustana for the first time since 2021 tomorrow, and they’ve got the coaches and personnel to pull it off.
