The Knox College football team moves to a record of 2-3 after a homecoming victory against Grinnell College. The victory marks the team’s first home win of the year and drops Grinnell’s record down to 1-4.
Amid the homecoming festivities, Knox alumni and family members of students filled the Knosher Bowl. Purple and gold attire could be seen all around the Bowl, as faculty, fans, friends, and family cheered on their squad.
At halftime, Knox’s Assistant Director of Athletics and Head Strength and Conditioning Coach Andy Gibbons was commemorated for his 35 years of service as a member of the Knox staff. At the start of the year, Gibbons announced his plans to retire from Knox after this year. He received heartfelt congratulations and commendation for his time at Knox from those in attendance and was the first to congratulate the football team on their victory at the end of the game.
Neither team managed a score in the first quarter, but after scoring in the second, Knox led for the remainder of the game. A touchdown run by senior quarterback Reese Miller in the third quarter, his second rushing touchdown of the game, and a fourth-quarter rushing touchdown from junior Izayiah Hawes were enough to keep the Pioneers at bay.
Knox’s defense saved the day in the victory with sophomore Jalen Brown making a huge stop on 4th & 1, and leading the team in tackles (8). Junior defensive back Colin Finnigsmier continued his defensive dominance, sealing the game with an interception in his own end zone, his second game-sealing interception of the year.
After a 21-14 homecoming loss to Grinnell last year, the football program undoubtedly looked for retribution this year and earned it through an intense grudge match of physicality and ball control. Knox held the football for over half of the game, with 37 minutes of possession time. Additionally, Miller’s ten completions on the day are the most thrown by a Knox quarterback in three years, when Kaile Williams ‘23 threw for 12 completions against Beloit.
Knox will look to win their second game in a row this week when it visits England Stadium in Jacksonville, Illinois, to play the Illinois College Blue Boys, who hold a record of 3-2 after losing in a 48-15 blowout to Monmouth College.
