JACKSONVILLE, Ill. -- For the third consecutive week, a close game got away from the Lawrence football team in the second half.
Illinois College broke open a two-point game at the half by scoring the first 16 points after the break and went on to a 28-16 Midwest Conference win over Lawrence on Saturday at England Field.
Lawrence (0-4, 0-4 MWC) trailed 12-3 before quarterback Nick Maxam connected with Jeremiah Johnson on a 49-yard touchdown pass midway through the second quarter. That trimmed the margin to 12-10, and the score would remain that way until the third quarter. Johnson finished with four catches for 88 yards.
Illinois College (2-3, 2-2) took the opening possession of the second half and marched 54 yards in five plays for a touchdown. Matt Williamson scored on a 14-yard run to put the Blueboys up 18-10.
The Blueboys increased the lead to 21-10 late in the third quarter. Illinois College moved the ball from its own 21 to the Lawrence 15 before the defense stiffened. The Vikings forced Illinois College to settle for Mitch Brasher's 31-yard field goal.
Illinois College got some more breathing room on its next possession. Niekamp hit Michael Jennings with a 61-yard scoring pass with 11:20 left in the game to give Illinois College a 28-10 edge.
Lawrence had a chance to get right back in the game, as it drove the ball to the Illinois College 3-yard line on its next possession. Maxam's fourth-down pass fell incomplete, and Illinois College took over on downs.
The defense held, and the Blueboys were forced to punt. A 13-yard return by Sam Laes gave the Vikings the ball at the Illinois College 30. A 23-yard completion to Johnson from backup quarterback Eric Bohling gave the Vikings a first down at the 3, and Kadeem Holmon ran it in on the next play to cut the lead to 28-16.
Lawrence returns to action next Saturday when it hosts Lake Forest College.