Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302

NOTE: This recap has been updated with corrected statistics since its original release.

DECATUR, Ill. (Oct. 12, 2024) - Rolling up a gargantuan lead at halftime before giving way to its backups the rest of the game, the North Central College football team administered a 70-14 battering of Millikin University Saturday at Frank M. Lindsay Field.

The No. 1-ranked Cardinals (5-0, 4-0 College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin) owned a 56-0 lead at the break, having gained 393 total yards while allowing only 91. North Central defeated the Big Blue for the 19th consecutive season and scored at least 50 points against their hosts for the seventh straight meeting.

As they have all season long, the Cardinals received the opening kickoff and needed just six plays to pull in front for good. Quarterback Luke Lehnen opened the scoring with a nine-yard touchdown run to cap an 80-yard drive. North Central doubled its advantage to 14-0 just two plays after forcing a punt, as Lehnen delivered a 43-yard scoring pass to Jack Rummell. 

The Big Blue (0-5, 0-4 CCIW) saw their next possession come to an end with a fumble, and North Central linebacker Drew Harp pounced on the ball at the Millikin 19-yard line. Lehnen ran eight yards for his second touchdown of the afternoon two plays later. The hosts turned the ball over on their subsequent drive as well, as Rahmareon Roby intercepted Aidan Lombardo's pass and rambled 28 yards to the end zone. 

A 17-yard punt return by Jacob Paradee set the Cardinals up at their own 43 for their next trip down the field. After a trio of running plays, North Central went to the air again, as Lehnen found Thomas Skokna on a crossing route and the junior weaved his way through the Big Blue coverage for a 48-yard touchdown. With 2:53 still to play in the first period, the Cardinals owned a 35-0 advantage.

The visitors took possession near midfield late in the first quarter and put their next touchdown on the board with 13:32 on the clock in the second as Charles Coleman crossed the goal line from eight yards out. Millikin's most prosperous drive of the first half came to an end at the Cardinals' five-yard line, as an errant snap from center was recovered by Martin Egbo. North Central covered 89 yards in just six plays as Lehnen fired deep to Skokna for a 54-yard scoring strike. 

Forcing a fifth Millikin punt with 1:40 to play in the half, the Cardinals had enough time to tack on another first-half touchdown as Lehnen completed two passes to Paradee before delivering a screen pass to Sean Allen, who raced across the goal line for a 45-yard score. Lehnen completed 11 of 14 passes for 274 yards in two quarters of play.

The Big Blue opened the third quarter with a 12-play, 79-yard drive and scored their first touchdown against North Central since 2021 on a nine-yard run by Lombardo. Early in the fourth period, Lombardo connected with Don Starling for a 43-yard completion before scoring a second rushing touchdown from one yard away. 

The Cardinals put together a six-play, 70-yard scoring drive which culminated in a touchdown reception by Grant McAtee, who hauled in a five-yard pass from Calvin Lavery just inside the left corner of the end zone. Lavery turned in North Central's sixth passing touchdown of the day on the game's final score with 2:38 to play, connecting with Alexander Pratt from 16 yards away.

North Central finished with 617 total yards, including a season-high 350 through the air. Skokna was the Cardinals' top receiver with 116 yards on three catches, topping the 100-yard mark for the second time this season. Donovan McNeal was the team's top rusher with 82 yards on 10 carries. Nine different Cardinals got the ball on rushing attempts while 10 caught at least one pass.

The Cardinals' defense, which held Millikin to just nine rushing yards in the game, was led by Cortez Jones, Bobby Medina, Theo Millas and John Sullivan with four tackles each. Egbo, Jones and Jacob Vincent each registered quarterback sacks and Matt Janiak intercepted a pass on the Big Blue's final offensive play.

The Cardinals host North Park University (4-1, 3-1) Saturday on Homecoming Weekend at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. Click HERE for the full 2024 schedule and live coverage options.

Download the free North Central Cardinals app, available for iOS and Android devices, to receive up-to-the-minute news, scores, and updates on your favorite North Central teams. Click HERE for more information.