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Setting the Scene:  Off and running after an emphatic Homecoming victory, the Cardinals head north for the first of two straight games in Wisconsin seeking to stay atop the CCIW standings as well as the national rankings.

Series History: This is the 57th football meeting between the two institutions. Carroll owns a 34-20-2 advantage in the all-time series though the Cardinals have won the last six meetings, including all four since Carroll rejoined the CCIW in 2016.

The teams' most recent bout came Oct. 19, 2019 in Waukesha. North Central ran over the Pioneers, 62-3, rolling up 602 yards of offense and closed the game with 56 unanswered points.

Broc Rutter completed 14 of 22 passes for 256 yards and four touchdowns, while Ethan Greenfield ran for 137 yards and two scores on just nine carries, including a 91-yard TD run. Andrew Kamienski was the Cardinals' top receiver with eight grabs for 167 yards and three scores, and Storm Simmons led the Cardinals' defense with seven tackles.

National Rankings: North Central remains in the No. 1 spot in the D3football.com Top 25 Poll this week, receiving 16 of 25 first-place votes.

The Cardinals are ranked No. 2 by Mary Hardin-Baylor (Texas) in the most recent American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Top 25 Poll.

Scouting the Pioneers: Carroll sustained its first loss of the season last week, dropping a 32-25 decision at Millikin. The Big Blue scored what turned out to be the game-winning touchdown with 11:10 remaining in the game. Carroll's final two possessions resulted in an interception and a turnover on downs.

The Pioneers gained 332 passing yards but were limited to a net loss of four yards rushing against Millikin. The disparity has persisted throughout the early season as Carroll has gained 317 of its average 380 yards per game through the air.

Quarterback Michael Johnson has thrown for 939 yards and nine touchdowns with just two interceptions, completing 65.5 percent of his passes. Austin Eichstaedt has been the Pioneers' leading receiver with 26 catches for 452 yards and four TDs.

Carroll's defense has yielded 29.7 points and 446 yards per game thus far. Cornerback Jordan Gaulke is the Pioneers' leading tackler with 27 total stops.

This Week for the Cardinals: North Central celebrated Homecoming Saturday with a resounding 58-6 victory over Augustana, winning its 14th straight game dating back to the 2019 season and posting its 15th consecutive victory over the Vikings.

Greenfield ran for 106 yards on 16 carries, scoring three touchdowns, and added a 48-yard TD reception to boost his career touchdown total to a North Central-record 50. 
Luke Lehnen surpassed the 300-yard passing mark for the second straight game, completing 20 of 29 attempts for 331 yards and three scores. He found Kamienski 10 times for 124 yards and tossed a season-long 69-yard touchdown pass to Blake Williams.

The North Central defense permitted 189 total yards, just 57 of which came after halftime. Tyler Rich and Ben Wong shared the team lead in tackles (5) and Nic Rummell delivered a 45-yard interception return.

Thomas Mitchell connected on a 41-yard field goal attempt in the fourth period, marking the Cardinals' longest successful kick since Nov. 10, 2018.

North Central Career Rankings:  Kamienski is the program's all-time leader in career receptions (285), receiving yards (4,217) and receiving touchdowns (48) while ranking third in all-purpose yards (4,544) and third in points scored (288), Beesley sits fourth in pass breakups (26) and seventh in passes defended (33) and Ben Wong ranks 12th all-time in tackles (193).

Greenfield ranks second all-time in rushing touchdowns (45) and points scored (300), fifth in rushing yards (3,184) and sixth in all-purpose yards (3,873).

Williams is five yards shy of becoming the 19th North Central receiver to surpass the 1,000-yard mark for a career. 

This Day in Cardinal Football History: 1954 vs. Concordia Chicago – The Cardinals picked up their first win of the campaign with a 25-6 victory over the Cougars, keeping Concordia scoreless until the fourth quarter. Fullback Dwight Bornemeier ran for two touchdowns while halfback Glen Unger broke free for a 72-yard scoring run.

Right guard and team captain Don Zanotelli earned First Team All-CCI honors following the close of the season.

'Red Zone' Returns in 2021: Once again, fans of North Central College football can get an insider's look at the Cardinals' football program, as 'The Red Zone' highlight show returns for its 13th season on Naperville Community Television, Channel 17. 

The show airs each Thursday at 8 p.m., Friday at 12:30 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 3:30, 7:00 and 9:30 p.m., Saturday at 12:30 and 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. It will feature interviews with coaches and players, highlights of the previous week's game, and a look ahead to the upcoming opponent. 

Each show is viewable online at nctv17.com and is archived at youtube.com/northcentralsports as well as at northcentralcardinals.com.