Box Score GRINNELL, Iowa -- The University of Chicago football team picked up its sixth consecutive victory and improved to 6-0 in MWC play with a 38-7 victory over Grinnell College on Saturday afternoon. The win sets up a near winner-take-all game next weekend between the Maroons and the Monmouth Scots with the winner needing just one win in their final two games to clinch the conference title.

The UChicago offense started slow, but it was defense and special teams that provided the spark for the Maroons. Zach Meyer came up with a tackle of the punter after a bad snap to set the Maroons up deep in Grinnell territory, and Walter Kilgore nailed his third 50+-yard field goal of the season to put UChicago up 3-0.

After the defense forced another three-and-out, Jack Ruff found Luke Degner for a 21-yard touchdown to cap a five-play, 53-yard drive to extend the lead to 10.

In the middle of the second quarter, the Pioneers were able to cut the lead back down to three after a 15-play touchdown drive that was extended by a costly pass interference penalty on third and long for the Maroons. Then, after the offense went three and out again, it was special teams and defense again making an impact for UChicago. After a 65-yard punt by Tad Tan pinned the Pioneers at their own five-yard line, the Maroons were able to force a three-and-out. Maceo Marshall then blocked the punt in their own end zone, and Cole Ostendorf recovered for the score.

On the first play following the special teams score, Ostendorf made his impact felt once again with an interception that he returned inside the red zone to set up the UChicago offense with a chance to extend the lead heading into the half. It did not take long for the Maroons to do just that as Ruff found Degner in the endzone for the second time today, this time with a leaping, one-handed grab in the back corner for the 15-yard score. The Maroons would take this 24-7 lead into the locker room.

In the second half, UChicago would continue to click on all cylinders as Jack Ruff would find Mackey Keenan for his third touchdown pass of the day. Then, Max Ruff would find the endzone with a 2-yard touchdown scamper to cap off the 38-7 victory for the Maroons.

Jack Ruff tallied 103 yards and 3 touchdowns through the air, and Jake Lowry added 64 yards on the ground to lead the offense. On defense, Simon Tchakarov was all over the field with a team-high 10 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss. Maceo Marshall added 3.0 tackles for loss and the blocked punt, and Cole Ostendorf recorded 8 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1 interception, and 1 defensive touchdown in the win.

With the win, the Maroons improve to 6-1 on the season and 6-0 in Midwest Conference play. UChicago returns to action next weekend as the team hosts Monmouth in a potential winner-take-all game with the Midwest Conference title on the line.