JACKSONVILLE, Ill. – Grinnell College's football team had one of its better offensive productions of the season Saturday afternoon in a 55-14 setback at Illinois College.
 
The Pioneers three times drove deep into Blueboy territory in the first half, but came away empty-handed each time. The Pioneers did score twice in the final half while falling to 0-4 in the Midwest Conference South Division and 1-7 overall.
 
Ryan Slager '19, who last week shattered the NCAA Division III career tackle record, added 18 stops Saturday to boost his total to 578. He also has 257 career solo tackles, which is fifth-best all-time at the D-III level.
 
Dustin Saia '22 had 131 receiving yards, the best for a Pioneer this season, and also had his season-best day for kickoff return yardage with 47 yards. Sal Kargbo '22 also had a season-best for kickoff return yards with 118 with a long of 42. Daniel Carter '22 added 65 rushing yards and 38 receiving yards, while Jake Kaplinski '22 completed 17 passes for 183 yards and two scores.
 
Defensively, besides Slager's effort, Jelani McCray '21 had a career-best 11 tackles while Vinny Pavoni '19 had eight stops. Kargbo also had an interception.
 
After Illinois College scored a touchdown early, the Pioneers drove to the Blueboys' 21-yard line before giving the ball up on downs. Illinois College led 19-0 after one quarter before Grinnell went to work again, getting to the hosts' 29-yard line before turning it over on downs. Grinnell reached the Blueboys' 29 once again in the half, only to have the drive ended via an interception.
 
Illinois College led 32-0 at halftime and went up 42-0 before the Pioneers put together a six-play, 69-yard scoring drive near the end of the third quarter. Saia had a 19-yard rush before scoring on a 19-yard pass from Kaplinski with 55 seconds left in the period. Patrick Goldammer '22 added the extra point to make it 42-7 at the end of the quarter.
 
Illinois College, 2-2 in the MWC South and 3-5 overall, went up 55-7 in the fourth quarter before Grinnell scored again following a block of a field goal by Kargbo. Grinnell then went 71 yards on seven plays with Carter rushing for 29 yards on a play, Saia gaining 12 on another and Kaplinski adding 12 before he hit Saia with a 15-yard TD pass with 3:01 left. Goldammer added the point after.
 
Slager moved up to sixth for most solo tackles in a season with 73 and is eighth in total tackles with 131. Jeff Keele '19 ranks 11th for a season in yards from tackles for loss with 59 and 14th in tackles for loss with 12. As a team, Grinnell has 117 yards from sacks, which is 12th-best in a season.
 
The Pioneers conclude their home slate next Saturday when Cornell College visits Rosenbloom Field. The Senior Day affair begins at 1 p.m.