Complete Game Notes (PDF)

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Setting the Scene:  Off and running with a win and back in the No. 1 spot in the national rankings, the Cardinals open the chase for their 16th CCIW Championship.

Series History: This is the 67th football meeting between the two institutions. North Central owns a 36-27-3 advantage in the all-time series and has won the last 16 straight encounters dating  back to 2005.

The Cardinals visited Art Keller Field in 2021 and made off with a 64-13 victory after scoring the game's first 33 points. North Central accumulated 639 total yards, its second-highest total of the year, and went 8 for 8 in red-zone opportunities.

Lehnen completed 18 of 25 passes for a career-high 353 yards, hitting Andrew Kamienski nine times for 140 yards and two scores while DeAngelo Hardy made three grabs for 107 yards and one touchdown. Lehnen and Terrence Hill each rushed for two TDs as well.

Nic Rummell and Jake Beesley each contributed interceptions for the North Central defense, which allowed 218 total yards.

National Rankings: After opening the season ranked No. 2 in the nation by D3football.com, North Central rises to the No. 1 national ranking this week, receiving 14 first-place votes.

The Cardinals were last ranked No. 1 in the final regular-season poll in 2021.

Scouting the Firebirds: Carthage opened its season Sept. 3 at Albion, suffering a 52-0 setback at the hands of the Britons.

The Firebirds were outgained, 464-189, and committed three turnovers while converting just two of 14 third-down opportunities.

Running back Travis Boston, Jr. was Carthage's leading ground gainer with 56 yards on 12 attempts, while receiver Sylvere Campbell caught a team-high six passes for 83 yards. 
Chris DiVito led the Firebirds with 13 tackles  while Josh Bilodeau made six stops and recovered a fumble.

This Week for the Cardinals: North Central scored the first 28 points and the last 28 points of Saturday's season opener at Wabash, outgaining the Little Giants by nearly 300 yards  and extending its current regular-season winning streak to 17 games.

DeAngelo Hardy ran for a touchdown and caught two more for his first career three-touchdown game, while Ethan Greenfield's three rushing touchdowns gave him a trio of scores for the ninth time. Hardy caught eight passes for 139 yards and Greenfield gained 132 yards on 21 rushing attempts.

Luke Lehnen completed 22 of 28 passes for 301 yards, marking his fourth collegiate 300-yard passing effort.

BJ Adamchik made a team-high 12 tackles for the Cardinals, while Brandon Greifelt added eight and Julian Bell totaled three pass breakups. North Central held the Little Giants scoreless for their final six drives.

NCAA All-Time Active Leaders:  Greenfield is the second-leading active rusher in all of college football with a North Central-record 4,814 yards.

Greenfield also ranks second among active players in career all-purpose yards (5,643) and points scored (414). Greenfield is the highest-ranked non-kicker among all returning players and is the current active career leader in points per game (10.9). 

North Central Career Rankings:  Greenfield is the Cardinals' all-time leader in rushing touchdowns (64), rushing yards (4,814), all-purpose yards (5,643) and points scored (414).

Hardy ranks seventh in school history in receiving yards (1,841) and touchdown receptions (20) while ranking eighth in total receptions (109).  

Terrence Hill is ninth all-time in total touchdowns (29), 10th in rushing touchdowns (24) and 15th in rushing yards (1,505).  Hill is 475 yards away from moving into the career top 10.

Lehnen,ranks fifth in North Central history in passing touchdowns (35) and sixth in passing yards (3,585) and completions (218).

This Day in Cardinal Football History:  1994 vs. Carroll - The Cardinals broke a seven-year losing streak against Carroll with a 45-26 victory over the Pioneers.

Quarterback Kevin Platt ran for four touchdowns and threw for two more, gaining 156 yards on 39 carries and earning CCIW Player of the Week honors, while fullback Don Mueller gained 101 yards on 16 attempts and scored the game's first touchdown.

Around the CCIW: Carroll opened its season with a 54-7 victory over Wisconsin-Lutheran last week, while WashU knocked off Hendrix, 52-7, Illinois Wesleyan defeated Ohio Wesleyan, 45-21, and Wheaton lost in overtime, 17-16, at Trinity (Texas).

All 10 CCIW teams open conference play this week.  Millikin visits WashU, while Augustana travels to Elmhurst, North Park goes to Carroll and Illinois Wesleyan plays at Wheaton.

'Red Zone' Returns in 2022: 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 14th 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.