Complete Game Notes (PDF)
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Setting the Scene: After a historic second-round victory, the Cardinals are awarded another home game and look to use the home-field advantage to secure a spot in the national semifinals for the second time.
Series History: This is the first meeting between the two institutions in any team sport.
National Rankings: North Central is ranked No. 5 in the most recent NCAA Division III National Top 25 Polls released by D3football.com and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA). Delaware Valley was ranked ninth in both polls.
Scouting the Aggies: Delaware Valley traveled to Wesley for its second round game and defeated the Wolverines, 45-10, to avenge a four-overtime loss to Wesley from the regular season.
The Aggies forced six turnovers and closed the game with 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to secure the win, getting four touchdowns (three receiving, one rushing) from senior tight end Dan Allen.
Delaware Valley is in the playoffs for the 13th straight year and last made the quarterfinal round in 2017. The Aggies have one of the nation’s highest-ranked defensive units, sitting second nationwide in total defense (202.7 yards allowed per game), interceptions (23) and defensive touchdowns (6) while sitting fourth in scoring defense (11.3 ppg) and fifth in rushing defense (59.8 ypg).
Sophomore defensive end Michael Nobile is the Division III national leader in tackles for loss (30.5) while also leading the team in tackles (71) and quarterback sacks (12). Sophomore safety Blaine Netterman has intercepted a team-high six passes.
The Aggies have averaged 37.3 points and 393.7 yards of offense per game. Senior quarterback Anthony Fontana has thrown for 28 touchdowns with just six interceptions, averaging 205.3 yards. Senior tight end Dan Allen is the team's top receiving threat with 39 catches for 668 yards and nine TDs, while junior tailback Donte Simmons is the top ground gainer with 582 yards and four scores.
This Week for the Cardinals: North Central advanced to the quarterfinals for the third time in its history and the first time since 2013 on Saturday, taking down Mount Union, 59-52, on the Purple Raiders’ home field.
A national finalist last season, Mount Union ended the regular season ranked No. 1 by D3football.com and No. 2 by the AFCA. The Raiders made their earliest postseason exit since 1994.
The Cardinals gained a single-game school record 699 total yards in recording the victory and hit the 50-point mark for the fifth consecutive week. Quarterback Broc Rutter completed 22 of 36 passes for a school-record 522 yards, throwing for five touchdowns and running for another.
Andrew Kamienski caught 12 passes for a career-high 256 yards and four scores, while DeAngelo Hardy made eight grabs for 186 yards and Ethan Greenfield ran 27 times for 130 yards and scored three total touchdowns.
North Central’s defense forced three turnovers in the win, including an interception by Jake Beesley in the end zone which sealed the win.
Beesley also recovered a fumble, as did Talha Ayhan, and Dakota Cremeens finished with a team-high eight tackles.
