Local Government

Elmhurst football falls 44-0 at Illinois Wesleyan

By Elmhurst Beacon staff · October 26, 2026 · 1 min read

An American football resting on green artificial turf beside a white yard line. — A football rests on a turf field. AI-generated illustration / Surround Sound Media

Elmhurst University's football team lost 44-0 to Illinois Wesleyan on Saturday, Oct. 24, at Tucci Stadium in Bloomington.

The Bluejays dropped to 1-6 overall and 0-5 in College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin play. Illinois Wesleyan improved to 6-2 and 4-2 in the CCIW, according to the Elmhurst University athletics department.

The Titans scored late in the first quarter and piled on 24 points in the second to build a 30-0 halftime lead. Illinois Wesleyan added a touchdown in each of the final two quarters to complete the shutout.

Quarterback Justin Carlson completed 10 of 17 passes for 92 yards for Elmhurst. David Monteilh led the receiving effort with three catches for 43 yards. Peter Dodson carried the ball 13 times for 37 yards on the ground.

Defensively, Jace Zeffiro and Jayvon King each recorded 11 tackles. Deontae Dixon II provided a bright spot on special teams, returning three kickoffs for 81 yards, including a 50-yard return.

The loss extended a long drought against the Titans. Illinois Wesleyan has now won at least 12 straight against Elmhurst, according to the Herald-Review, which reported the Titans had won 11 consecutive meetings heading into Saturday's game.

The Bluejays' struggles this season follow a coaching change. Former head coach Mike Murray left Elmhurst after the 2024 season to return to Illinois Wesleyan, where he now serves as associate head coach and defensive coordinator, according to the Herald-Review. Murray had inherited a program that won just two games over a 30-game span before his arrival. He guided Elmhurst to its most wins since 2016 during the 2024 season.

The winless CCIW record marks a sharp reversal from that progress.

Elmhurst hosts Millikin at Langhorst Field on Saturday, Oct. 31, with kickoff set for noon.

Jessica Henry

Jessica Henry

News Producer

Jessica is an Emmy-nominated journalist and newsroom leader with a passion for impactful storytelling. Her work has spanned both local and national media, including television news and podcast production. Throughout her career, she has led news teams across the Northeast, overseeing coverage of major breaking news events, severe weather, and high-profile investigations, while helping shape content that reached audiences across local and national platforms. She believes local journalism is the heartbeat of every community, keeping residents informed and connected when it matters most. Now based in Texas, Jessica is embracing life with her husband and newborn son while continuing her love of storytelling. Away from work, she enjoys family time on the boat, beach days, and exploring the charm of coastal towns and seaside shops.

Also in Local Government

Sign up for our daily newsletter.

Your newsletter subscriptions are subject to our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.

Other News

Public Safety
View More
Villa Park fire critically injures resident on Bierman Avenue
A Villa Park woman was pulled from her burning home in the 400 block of North Bierman Avenue on Oct. 4 and transferred to Loyola University Medical Center in critical condition after she reportedly went deeper into the house to retrieve her dog, which did not survive. Elmhurst and Oak Brook Terrace firefighters were among the mutual-aid crews that responded.
October 26, 2026 · 2 min read
Local Government
View More
District 205 board adopts FY2027 budget with $501K surplus
Elmhurst District 205's board unanimously adopted a fiscal year 2027 operating budget projecting a $501,095 surplus and approved health insurance plan changes that cut a projected 12.6% rate increase to 8.6% for staff, while also accepting a private donation to fund a disability-awareness program at all district elementary schools.
October 26, 2026 · 2 min read
Business
View More
Joliet refinery woes push DuPage County gas past $4.80
A string of Midwest refinery disruptions, led by repeated outages at the ExxonMobil plant in Joliet, has driven Chicago-area gas prices roughly 60 cents above the national average. Gov. Pritzker declared Illinois a diesel disaster area Oct. 6, and DuPage County drivers are paying some of the region's steepest prices.
October 23, 2026 · 3 min read
Community
View More
Villa Park trick-or-treat hits Villa Ave. Oct. 24
The Villa Ave. Business District hosts a trick-or-treat and costume contest in Villa Park on Saturday, Oct. 24, with trick-or-treating from 1 to 3 p.m. and a costume contest at Cortesi Veterans Memorial Park from 3 to 4 p.m.
October 23, 2026 · 1 min read
Local Government
View More
Elmhurst permit delays draw complaints as applications jump 18%
An 18% surge in building permit applications has strained Elmhurst's building department, prompting complaints from residents and businesses and drawing attention from the mayor and City Council during budget talks.
October 23, 2026 · 2 min read
Local Government
View More
Elmhurst group says city lost 3,000 trees in a decade
The Elmhurst Cool Cities Coalition told the City Council on Oct. 19 that the city's tree canopy shrank from 29% to 28% between 2010 and 2017, an estimated loss of 3,000 trees, and urged Elmhurst to adopt a private-property tree protection ordinance like 15 nearby towns already have.
October 23, 2026 · 2 min read

©2026 Elmhurst Beacon

About Us Privacy Terms & Conditions Contact DMCA

Powered by Surround Sound Media