Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302
ST. LOUIS (Oct. 22, 2022) - Extending its unblemished defense of its own end zone to a third straight week, the North Central College football team assumed sole possession of first place in the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) standings with a 31-0 victory over Washington University in St. Louis at Francis Olympic Field.
The No. 1-ranked Cardinals (7-0, 6-0 CCIW) held a third straight opponent scoreless, becoming the first North Central team since 1946 to do so. The visitors turned away two early drives deep into their territory and owned more than an 11-minute advantage in time of possession.
North Central took the opening drive 69 yards in 12 plays for the game's opening touchdown, a 13-yard pass from Luke Lehnen to DeAngelo Hardy. After forcing a punt, the Cardinals drove 71 yards in 11 plays and doubled their lead to 14-0 as Luke Lehnen ran for a one-yard touchdown on third down-and-goal.
Faced with a fourth down-and-three at the North Central 23-yard line, the Bears (6-1, 5-1 CCIW) saw their next drive come to an end with a turnover. BJ Adamchik forced a fumble which Nic Rummell pounced on at the Cardinals' two-yard line.
The Cardinals ran eight times in the ensuing 11-play, 98-yard drive, but scored on yet another pass to Hardy as Lehnen connected with the junior on a 28-yard score with 6:12 left in the first half. WashU drove into North Central territory in the closing seconds of the second period before Zack Orr intercepted a Matt Rush pass in the Cardinals' end zone.
North Central scored its final touchdown of the day on its second play of the third quarter. Lehnen uncorked a deep pass to Hardy, whose leaping, spinning catch into the end zone was his third of the day. Tanner Rains capped the scoring by converting a 24-yard field goal attempt with 2:37 to play.
The Cardinals owned a 463-222 advantage in total yards, gaining 235 yards on the ground and 228 through the air. Lehnen completed 16 of 20 passes, including his first 14 consecutive attempts, for 228 yards while Hardy made nine total receptions for 160 yards. Ethan Greenfield led North Central's running game with 129 yards on 21 carries.
Adamchik paced the North Central defense with 10 tackles while Brandon Greifelt made nine and Antwain Walker and Dan Lester each finished with six. Walker also broke up two passes.
The Cardinals host North Park University Saturday at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium. The Vikings (0-7, 0-6) are coming off a 56-34 loss to Augustana College. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. Click HERE for the full 2022 schedule.
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