Drew Chance’s prayer worked in more ways than one.
He not only found a job closer to home but also opened the proverbial door for his younger brother, Destin, to play college football again.
The Auburn High School grads linked up at Illinois College before ushering a historic 2023 season.
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Together, the Chance brothers summoned the top passing offense in NCAA Division III while Destin conjured school and Midwest Conference records for most passing yards (4,036) and touchdowns (48) in a season to go along with the school’s most touchdowns in a game — twice — with eight.
That No. 2 overall offense catapulted the Blueboys to their first playoff appearance since 2011 and second overall — and they have one more year in store.
“Everything’s worked out,” Destin said while standing alongside Drew. “Now I’m playing for him, that’s my offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach and it’s been an awesome experience.”
Early scare
Destin indeed achieved high laurels. He was named second-team all-American by the American Football Coaches Association in addition to being a Gagliardi Trophy semifinalist for the best player in D-III.
The Blueboys set Midwest Conference records for total yards (6,147) and points (522) to boot.
“Destin’s always been a very talented player,” Drew said. “I just knew if I could coach him and get him in my system, he could be special and last year was a really special season for us. Destin grew so much as a player and as a person.”
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It didn’t come without some scrapes and bruises.
Destin’s comeback was nearly snuffed out by a foot injury in the season opener against Millikin University. Those concerns only dissipated after acquiring a second opinion and he returned in Week 2 against Lake Forest College.
The Lisfanc tear still complicated matters. It didn’t just restrict his mobility, but every step felt like a knife in his foot before he could build up up scar tissue.
It was anything but a cakewalk for somebody who took pride in extending plays and keeping drives alive with his legs. He could also only perform one or two practices a week through the early stages of recovery, according to Drew.
Destin provided just 220 rushing yards and two scores in 2023 after previously netting 522 rushing yards and six scores in eight games over the 2021 fall season at IC.
“It was an awesome testament of handling adversity and trusting God’s plan because you go from a torn foot Week 1 to playing on it Week 2 and losing badly against a very good Lake Forest team,” Drew said. “It really could’ve been a wash for us there, but we handled that adversity great and came out with a historic season and Destin leads the country in passing and we had the No. 2 offense in the nation and go on to win a conference championship and get hot at the right time.
“That was pretty cool to handle that.”
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Destin gradually returned to peak form — until pulling his hamstring at the end of the season. Destin could only laugh.
“I’m ready to go,” Destin said of this season. “I’ve had a great offseason, I’ve been grinding every day. I’m ready to get back to it.”
Intestinal fortitude
Past setbacks and disappointments have steeled Destin over his collegiate career.
He first began at NCAA Division II Wisconsin-Whitewater before transferring to Illinois College where his brother threw for 7,582 yards and 58 TDs over four seasons before graduating in 2020.
Drew then packed up for NCAA Division II West Virginia State with prospects of earning a master’s degree in addition to being a pass game coordinator and tight ends coach. Drew could’ve returned for another year, but he felt too far from home. Destin sat out the 2022 season in the meantime.
Drew especially prayed he could move back to the area following the loss of their loved ones, grandfathers Ray Landers and Terry Chance.
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Those hopes suddenly became reality when a familiar voice beckoned, IC head coach Ray DeFrisco.
“You’ve got to have faith and trust in the plan — 100%,” Drew said.
Family reunion
Destin quickly pored over his brother’s new playbook over the proceeding summer. It was just a matter of execution.
“It’s a very quarterback-friendly system,” Destin said. “I kind of knew the Xs and Os coming into camp, but reenacting it is completely different. After probably a day or two, I got it down completely and I was ready to roll.”
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Drew’s no-huddle offense perhaps draws some inspiration from former Baylor coach Art Briles.
“I really think it’s a dream offense for everyone just because everything is predicated on numbers and matchups,” Drew said. “We’re going to use tempo and spacing to create an advantage and it’s on our guys to go win matchups.”
Jacksonville graduate Collin Brunstein fully took advantage and raked in 91 catches for 2,200 yards and 31 touchdowns to lead all of NCAA and set school and Midwest Conference single-season records in each category. He was recently named NCAA D-III preseason third-team all-American by D3football.com.
Drew not only anticipates all but one starter to remain but also welcomes Cornell College transfer Trey Birdsong. He was second nationwide in all-purpose yards behind none other than Brunstein.
“He’s pretty serious about what we do,” Destin said of Drew. “We have a standard and everyone knows that standard. If we’re playing to our standard, there are no problems. But if you’re slacking, you’re going to be told. He’s going to give instructions on what to do and he has high expectations for us. We’re the No. 1 passing offense in the country and No. 2 total offense in the country and there’s a standard and practice that comes with that.”
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Drew knows a thing or two about leadership.
Both the Chance brothers played under longtime Auburn coach Dave Bates, while their dad, Todd, is currently the quarterbacks coach at Sacred Heart-Griffin.
Drew more than flourished under Bates and vaulted the Trojans to their only Class 2A state championship appearance in 2015.
In the wake of last year’s success, Drew said his players know what to expect.
“Now if somebody slacks off and doesn’t meet the standard, the players hold them accountable and player-led teams are the best kind of teams and we’re getting to that point and it’s really cool to see our culture be at that place,” Drew said.
