FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302
Box Score
MOUNT VERNON, Iowa (Sept. 4, 2010) - The North Central College football team cruised to victory in its 2010 season opener on Saturday, overcoming an early deficit and wearing down the Cornell College Rams, 41-7, at Ash Park.
The Cardinals' offense outgained the hosts, 497-277, picking up 361 yards in the air, as North Central posted its highest single-game point total in a season opener since scoring 44 against Benedictine University in 2005. The Cardinal defense, after yielding 175 yards in the first half, permitted just 71 yards of offense and forced three turnovers in the second half.
The Rams (0-1) took the field on offense first, and attempted a 40-yard field goal, though Anthony Bridges' attempt sailed wide right. North Central, however, was unable to pick up a first down before punting.
Cornell needed three plays to get into the end zone for the game's initial score, as quarterback Andrew Burdick connected with wide receiver Harry Herbert for a 48-yard touchdown, giving the home team a 7-0 lead with 6:13 left in the first period.
The Cardinals, however, answered almost as quickly, traveling 74 yards to the end zone in four plays. A 45-yard pass from Spencer Stanek to Andy Stuursma got North Central into COrnell territory, and a 23-yard run by Nick Kukuc on the next play got the visitors on the board. The first of five successful extra-point attempts by Nick Dace tied the score at 7-7.
North Central came up with its first big special-teams play of the year on the ensuing kickoff, as Jim Bardusk forced a fumble and Tom McGinnis recovered the ball and the Rams' 23-yard line. Stanek needed one play to put the Cardinals in front, completing a 23-yard touchdown pass to Jeff Grunwald with 4:35 still left on the first-quarter clock.
Late in the first period, Cornell began another drive deep into the Cardinals' half of the field. Another field goal attempt, this time from 35 yards, was unsuccessful as the ball struck the right post, and North Central took over at its own 20 with 12:51 to go in the second period. After a screen pass to Nick Hicks and four straight running plays, Stanek threw to Joe Antonacci for 19 yards to get the guests to the Cornell 14, and Kyle Fiedorowicz hauled in a TD pass on the next play as the Cardinals doubled their advantage to 21-7.
North Central's defense forced a three-and-out on the following drive, setting up the final scoring drive of the first half. A 13-play, 63-yard drive ate up more than six minutes on the clock and culminated in Stanek calling his own number on an option run to the left side and scoring on a one-yard run with 1:32 on the clock. Antonacci caught three passes for 43 yards during the possession.
Taking the ball for the first drive of the third quarter, the Cardinals came out swinging, as Stanek through to Manny Juarez for 33 yards on the first play. COrnell's Cody Backhaus, however, intercepted Stanek's pass at his own nine-yard line to put an end to the scoring threat. The Rams were unable to secure a first down, but Bridges' 74-yard punt kept North Central from gaining advantageous field position.
The next three possessions also resulted in punts before Cornell threatened to reach the end zone once again. Taking over at their own 48, the Rams converted two third downs and had a first down at the North Central 11 before Josh McLeod intercepted a pass by backup quarterback Juan Flores at the one-yard line with 53 seconds left in the third quarter.
The teams traded punts once again, and the Cardinals' next drive began at their own 42. After venturing into Cornell territory, North Central turned the ball over on downs at the Rams' 16-yard line. The Cardinals' defense, however, contributed a score on the next play, as Burdick was sacked by Tharryn Wright and fumbled. Jim Clendenning scooped up the ball and ran the final seven yards to the goal line, increasing the lead to 35-7.
Cornell advanced into North Central territory one more time and attempted a fourth-down conversion, but McLeod came through with an interception once again and ran it back 56 yards to the Rams' 29-yard line with 3:38 to go. The Cardinals reached the end zone for the final time after six straight running plays, with Kukuc scoring on a three-yard jaunt with 1:23 on the clock.
Stanek, making his first collegiate start at quarterback, completed 20 of 35 passes for 361 yards as North Central finished with the sixth-highest single-game passing yardage total in its history. Antonacci caught six passes for 102 yards, while Hlavac caught six passes for 70 yards. Nick Hicks was the Cardinals' top rusher with 82 yards on 15 carries, while Kukuc gained 45 yards on 15 attempts.
Derek Sulo led the Cardinals with six tackles, while Matt Wenger and Willie Hayes each made five stops. Wenger made two of North Central's 10 tackles for loss. The Cardinals' defensive unit allowed just 31 rushing yards, seventh-lowest in school history.
North Central is off until Saturday, Sept. 18, when it travels to Olivet College (Mich.) Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. Eastern time.
