Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (Nov. 5, 2022) - The North Central College football team used adverse weather conditions to its advantage Saturday, relying on its power running game to shred the Titans, 68-3, Saturday at Tucci Stadium.
The No. 1-ranked Cardinals (9-0, 8-0 College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin) largely shelved their passing game due to blustery winds, gaining 452 of their 517 yards on the ground and owning a 48-0 advantage by halftime. North Central has officially clinched the CCIW's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Football Championship, which starts Nov. 19.
Ethan Greenfield, who finished the day with 164 rushing yards on 18 attempts, broke free for a 59-yard run on the third play from scrimmage before scoring the game's first touchdown on a two-yard run with 11:44 still left in the first period. Greenfield added a one-yard scoring run with 3:44 on the first-quarter clock to double the visitors' lead to 14-0.
Illinois Wesleyan (5-4, 4-4 CCIW) turned over the ball on the next drive, as Brandon Greifelt forced a fumble and Dan Gilroy recovered at the Titans' 44-yard line. Shortly after the second quarter began, Luke Lehnen completed a 16-yard touchdown pass to DeAngelo Hardy. The Cardinals scored again just eight seconds later, as Tyler Rich recovered a bad IWU snap from center in the end zone.
The Titans' lone scoring drive produced a 24-yard field goal by Andrew Stange with 10:13 to play in the first half. North Central responded with a 40-yard rushing touchdown by Lehnen, who has scored at least one rushing TD in the last four games. A short punt gave the visitors the ball back at the IWU 29, and four plays later Lehnen connected with Hardy for a second passing score, this time from six yards out, with 2:19 before halftime.
The Cardinals' final scoring possession of the half took just one play and started at the IWU 45 following a punt. Greenfield took the ball up the middle and rambled 55 yards for his third score of the afternoon, sending North Central into halftime with a 48-3 advantage.
In the second half, the Cardinals scored on a four-yard touchdown run by Terrence Hill, a 68-yard run by Joe Sacco and a 20-yard run by Jordan Chisum.
North Central's 452 yards came on just 49 rushing attempts (9.2 yards per carry) and the Cardinals scored touchdowns on nine of 10 possessions. Lehnen completed 7 of 11 passes for 65 yards and ran five times for 94, while Sacco gained 87 yards on just four rushes.
Dan Lester and Sam Taviani shared the team lead in tackles (7) and Taviani made two tackles for loss while Lester contributed a quarterback sack and a fumble recovery and Jake Brock contributed a 30-yard interception return.
The Cardinals host Augustana College Saturday at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium. The Vikings (5-4, 4-4) are coming off a 37-30 loss to Carthage College. Senior Day activities will be conducted prior to kickoff at 1:00 p.m. Click HERE for the full 2022 schedule.
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