Contact: Nicholas Osterloo, Director of Athletics Communication,
630-637-5324
Oct. 4, 2025 - Shutting out Wheaton College for the first time since 1964, the North Central College football team held the Thunder to -2 net rushing yards on the night in a 35-0 victory Saturday night inside Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium.
Both teams began the game with three-and-outs. The Thunder picked up one first down before a Bobby Medina and Jahmar Daniel sack on 3rd & 8 to force a Wheaton punt. North Central rushed for 49 yards on the ensuing drive as Jordan Williams punched in a five-yard touchdown for the game's first score in the final Cardinal possession of the opening quarter.
Following another Wheaton punt, the ground game again moved the offense down the field into the red zone. Garret Wilson found Sean Allen to the left for a 14-yard score to put the Cardinals ahead, 14-0.
Rahmareon Roby sacked Seamus O'Connell for a nine-yard loss to force another Thunder three-and-out. Wilson found Myles Walton and Grant McAtee before Donovan McNeal rushed 10 yards to the Wheaton 38-yard line. Wilson found Jack Rummell, who made a move past two Thunder defenders to give North Central a 21-0 lead in the second quarter.
After a quick three-and-out by Wheaton, the Cardinals marched down the field, highlighted by Allen's 32-yard run down the right side. Joseph Bracy intercepted Wilson's pass in the end zone as North Central held a 21-0 advantage heading into halftime.
North Central opened the third quarter with a punt. Wheaton put their best drive of the day together, throwing on 11 straight plays. In the red zone for the first time, the Thunder got creative, attempting a pass by running back Matt Crider, which linebacker Danny Nuccio stepped in front of to intercept the pass in the end zone.
Entering the fourth quarter with the same 21-0 score, a sack from Eli Renick on 4th & 7 put the ball back in the Cardinal offense's hands. McAtee caught a 22-yard pass from Wilson to begin the drive before Allen rushed up the middle for a 4-yard touchdown. The -2 net rushing yards allowed is the sixth-lowest mark in program history.
The Cardinal offense quickly took over, thanks to another three-and-out. Demir Ashiru completed his first pass of the night on a shovel pass to McAtee for seven yards. McNeal and Allen pushed the Cardinals into the red zone before Allen scored his third touchdown of the day on a 15-yard run. Maverick Ohle and Medina sacked Mark Forcucci as Wheaton sent away another punt. Ashiru took a knee in victory formation as the Cardinals earned a 35-0 victory over Wheaton, keeping the Little Brass Bell for a fifth straight season.
North Central racked up six sacks on the day, 2.5 from Medina with Roby, Ohle and Renick capturing solo sacks. Kyler Green led the Cardinals with eight tackles, while Matt Janiak and Medina each had five. Nuccio recorded the lone Cardinal interception.
Wilson threw for 165 yards in 14-of-15 passing with two touchdowns. McNeal led all ballcarriers with 113 yards, with Allen posting 81 yards and two scores. McAtee led the receivers with 64 yards in five catches, with Rummel tallying 55 yards and a touchdown.
The Cardinals host Millikin University Saturday evening for another 6 p.m. kickoff inside Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium. North Central has beaten the Big Blue in 19 straight contests.
