FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302
Box Score
Nov. 8, 2008 - Refusing to be burdened by the weight of history, the North Central College football team withstood a stiff and spirited challenge from visiting Augustana College (Ill.), rallied from an early deficit, and outdistanced the Vikings to post a landmark 41-28 victory at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium on Saturday.
The win not only clinched the first 9-0 start in the program's 111-year existence, but also secured the Cardinals' third straight College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Championship and their fourth consecutive NCAA Division III playoff appearance. It is North Central's first outright league title since 1960.
The hosts made a strong bid to post a score on their first possession, as Tony Dieppa (Jr., Carol Stream, Ill./Glenbard North) returned the opening kickoff 52 yards to the Augustana 41-yard line. The Cardinals ventured to the Vikings' 24 before turning the ball over on downs. Augustana ran 10 straight running plays to travel 76 yards, getting an eight-yard touchdown run from Jake Parke with 6:50 left in the opening period to give the guests an early 7-0 advantage.
The Cardinals countered with an extended drive of their own to even the score, gaining 60 yards in 12 plays. Dominic Sulo (Jr., Oak Forest, Ill./Mt. Carmel) rambled into the end zone from six yards away, leaving the score at 7-7 with 2:46 left in the first quarter.
North Central appeared headed for a go-ahead score early in the second period, but the Vikings (6-3, 4-2 CCIW) forced a fumble near their own goal line and recovered the ball on the 4. Three plays later, however, the home team turned the tables, as Tyler Venier (Sr., Dixon, Ill./Dixon) snagged a pass by Augustana quarterback Tim Podulka out of the air, providing his team with possession at the Vikings' 35-yard line. A 16-yard pass from Aaron Fanthorpe (Jr., Naperville, Ill./Naperville North) to Steve Hlavac (So., Naperville, Ill./Naperville North) left the Cardinals just one yard from the end zone, and Fanthorpe carried the ball across with 8:42 to go in the first half, giving North Central its first lead of the day at 14-7. The lead would hold up through the remainder of the second period.
As it did in the first half, Augustana was able to convert its opening drive of the second half into a touchdown, largely due to its proficiency on the ground. A 46-yard run by Robert Wood moved the Vikings into striking distance, and Josh Galliart capped off a nine-play, 78-yard possession with a one-yard TD plunge. The extra-point attempt failed, preserving North Central's lead at 14-13.
Sulo broke loose for a 41-yard run on the ensuing drive, putting the Cardinals in position to respond with a score of their own. On third down-and-goal from the two-yard line, Fanthorpe lofted a touchdown pass to Kyle Fiedorowicz (Fr., Johnsburg, Ill./Johnsburg), boosting North Central's lead to 21-13 with 8:39 on the third-quarter clock.
Augustana lined up to punt after just three plays on its next drive, but the Cardinals' Kane Thompson (So., Aledo, Ill./Aledo) broke through the line and blocked the kick, allowing the hosts to take possession just 13 yards from the goal line. Two plays later, Fanthorpe ran 11 yards for his second TD carry of the day. The Vikings' next offensive series also ended early, as Eric Stanish (Jr., Tinley Park, Ill./Providence) intercepted Podulka's pass on the first play. With 2:22 remaining in the period, Fanthorpe threw a nine-yard touchdown pass to Hlavac, and North Central owned a commanding 35-13 edge.
Down, but not out, the Vikings scored twice in the fourth period to move back into contention. Podulka threw a 42-yard scoring pass to Jason Kwasigroch with 14:02 left in the game, then ran for a three-yard TD after the Augustana defense forced a punt.
Fanthorpe went to the air in pursuit of a game-clinching score, connecting with Hank Johnston (Jr., Mokena, Ill./Lincoln Way East) for 44 yards, then throwing to Mike MacIntosh (Sr., Decatur, Ill./Mt. Zion) for 13 more, leaving North Central just five yards shy of paydirt. Johnston got himself open once again on the next play and hauled in Fanthorpe's pass with 5:20 remaining. Augustana's last two scoring opportunities came up short.
Fanthorpe finished the day 18 of 24 passing for an even 200 yards, while also rushing for 83 yards on 17 carries. Sulo gained 115 yards on 24 rushing attempts, while Hlavac led all receivers with 10 catches for 98 yards. Sulo became the second player in North Central history to gain at least 3,000 career rushing yards, while Hlavac and MacIntosh both surpassed the 1,000-yard plateau in career receiving yards.
Matt Wenger (Jr., Davis, Ill./Dakota) turned in a game-high 14 tackles, of which nine were solo stops, and David Treglown (Sr., Naples, Fla./Barron Collier) added 10 tackles, including a quarterback sack.
Podulka ended the day 15 of 27 passing for 124 yards, and he shared the team lead in rushing yards with Wood, as each had 85. John Mago and Billy Lynch each recorded 10 tackles for the Vikings.
The Cardinals conclude the regular season Saturday at Elmhurst College (Ill.) The Bluejays are 7-2 overall and 4-2 in the CCIW following a 24-21 victory over Millikin University (Ill.) Kickoff at Langhorst Field is scheduled for 1 p.m.
