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

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. (Oct. 26, 2024) - Breaking the contest open with a run of six unanswered scoring drives, the North Central College football team established a season high in rushing yards and forced three turnovers in overwhelming Augustana College, 49-10, at Lindberg Stadium Saturday. 

The Cardinals (7-0, 6-0 College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin) were led in record-breaking fashion by quarterback Luke Lehnen, who set a new single-game program standard by accounting for all seven of North Central's touchdowns. Lehnen now owns the NCAA Division III career record in touchdowns responsible for with 184 (44 rushing, 140 passing).

A mishandled snap from center by the hosts deep in their own territory resulted in a fumble that Rahmareon Roby recovered at the Augustana five-yard-line on the Vikings' first possession of the afternoon. Lehnen's first of five touchdown passes came on the next play, feeding a shovel pass to tight end Bobby Behmer.

Augustana (3-4, 2-4 CCIW) tied the score at 7-7 just four plays later, as quarterback Liam Crawley fired a deep pass over the Cardinals' coverage for a 55-yard touchdown to Sean Schlanser. North Central stopped the Vikings' next two drives on a Zack Orr interception and a punt before pulling ahead for good as Lehnen handed off to Sean Allen for a 31-yard gain before finding Thomas Skokna wide open for a 29-yard touchdown pass with 1:24 left in the first period.

North Central executed its first successful onside kick since 2021 on the ensuing play, as Andre Casas' line-drive effort bounced free off an Augustana player and the Cardinals recovered as the Vikings' 46. On the first play of the second period, Lehnen lofted a 15-yard touchdown pass to Jack Rummell to extend the lead to 21-7. Lehnen ran for North Central's next two scores, scrambling to evade the Vikings' pass rush to run for touchdowns of 60 and five yards.

Augustana's final drive of the first half advanced to the Cardinals' 15 before Brayden Garrigan recorded his third interception of the season with 1:44 to play before halftime. Four plays later, Lehnen closed the first half by darting away from the Vikings' pressure and firing a pass to Myles Walton, who won a footrace to the end zone for a 72-yard score. The reception is the Cardinals' longest play from scrimmage this season.

Lehnen's final touchdown toss of the day came on North Central's opening drive of the second half, as he connected with Skokna once again from 34 yards away. The Cardinals finished with 571 yards on just 56 plays (10.2 per play) and gained a season-high 391 rushing yards. Joe Sacco gained a game-high 121 rushing yards on 12 attempts, and Lehnen ran for 103 yards on just six carries while completing 10 of 16 passes for 177 yards. 

North Central's defense, which stopped two straight second-half drives on fourth down and now leads the CCIW in interceptions (11), got a team-high six tackles from John Sullivan while Angelo Cusumano made two tackles for loss.

The Cardinals host the first of two straight home games Saturday, taking on Carroll University (4-3, 3-3). Kickoff at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium is set for 12:00 noon. Click HERE for the full 2024 schedule and live coverage options.

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