GALESBURG, Ill. ­— Knox College entered today's football game undefeated while the University of Chicago was searching for its first victory. The Maroons (1-2, 1-1 Midwest Conference) found what they were looking for at Stisser Field at the Knosher Bowl, handing the host Prairie Fire (2-1, 1-1 MWC) a 27-13 defeat after a delay of nearly 90 minutes due to lightning.

UChicago marched down the field on its opening drive for a quick 7-0 lead, completing all seven passes along the way before Kyle James broke free for a 21-yard touchdown run. But Knox found its footing late in the quarter, putting together a methodical 14-play, 71-yard drive that ended with quarterback Anthony Vazquez crossing the goal line on a four-yard keeper. The lone play of more than 8 yards during the sequence was a 24-yard strike to running back Kierre Turner that gave the Prairie Fire first-and-goal at the Maroon 6. Jadon Grossnickle added the extra point to tie the game at seven apiece.

An interception late in the second quarter gave UChicago the ball near midfield, and it took advantage of the turnover, though just to the tune of three points thanks to a third-down sack registered by defensive end Cole Oliver. The Maroons converted the 35-yard field goal and took a 10-7 lead into the locker room.

The third quarter belonged to UChicago, scoring touchdowns on each of its first two possessions, the second a 63-yard run by Miles Parlet for a 24-7 advantage.

The Prairie Fire were looking to light a fire when it marched 75 yards for their second touchdown midway through the fourth quarter as Izayiah Hawes reached the end zone on a 1-yard plunge. More than half those yards were supplied by Gilbert Baltazar who caught a 38-yard bomb from Vazquez. The point after missed the mark, however, leaving Knox down by 11, 24-13.

That would be as close as the Fire would come with the Maroons tacking on a 31-yard field goal with 2:44 to play.

"We did a good job playing tough throughout the first half, but when all is said and done, we need to put a few more things together," Knox head coach Aaron Willits said after the game. "We were a much more disciplined team today, but Chicago is the type of team that will make you pay for any mistakes. Bye week comes at a good time so we can get mentally and physically recharged to make some adjustments and keep pushing forward." 

• The Prairie Fire were held to 209 total yards by the UChicago defense, 132 coming on the ground with Vazquez providing 77 on a career-high 28 carries.
• Knox won the battle of the clock, holding the ball for 32:27, and also was more efficient on third down, converting 6-of-15 for first downs compared to 4-of-12 for the Maroons.
• Not a single penalty was whistled against the Prairie Fire, their first game without one in eight years.
• UChicago completed 20-of-26 passes for 151 yards and averaged 6.0 yards on 31 rushing attempts.

All teams in the Midwest Conference have next weekend off, and Knox will play its next two games on the road, starting with Lake Forest College on Oct. 5 at 2 p.m. The game will be streamed live with live stats available through the official website of Knox College athletics, PrairieFire.Knox.edu.