Contact: Nicholas Osterloo, Director of Athletics Communication, 630-637-5324
ST. LOUIS, Mo. (Sept. 22, 2025) - Playing Washington University in St. Louis for the final time as a member of the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW), the North Central College football team remained perfect in league play with a 44-14 win Saturday afternoon at Francis Field.
After a punt on the opening drive, North Central cornerback Rahmareon Roby intercepted WashU's first pass of the game and returned it the the end zone for a touchdown. Aidan Ellison added the extra point for a 7-0 lead.
WashU responded by forcing a Garret Wilson interception on third down and tied the game with a 45-yard scoring drive, capped by a Levi Moore touchdown pass to Lucas Bluthenthal.
The Cardinals answered quickly. On third-and-1, Donovan McNeal broke free for a 54-yard run into Bears territory. Wilson then connected with Thomas Skokna for a 16-yard touchdown to regain the lead, 14-7.
North Central's defense forced a three-and-out, and Wilson hit Jack Rummell for a 35-yard gain. After a sack stalled the drive, Ellison drilled a 49-yard field goal — tied for the fifth-longest in program history and the third-longest by a Division III kicker this season — to extend the lead to 17-7.
Bobby Medina and John Sullivan combined for a six-yard sack on Moore, leading to another Bears punt. Wilson capped the next drive with a 12-yard rushing touchdown, pushing the lead to 24-7.
WashU capitalized on a North Central turnover, as Moore found Makael Carter for a 42-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to 24-14. Ellison added his second field goal of the half, a short kick from the 8-yard line, to give the Cardinals a 27-14 lead at the break.
In the third quarter, Demir Ashiru broke loose for a 53-yard run to the WashU 13. Sean Allen finished the drive with a 13-yard touchdown run, extending the lead to 34-14. North Central's defense held the Bears scoreless in the second half.
Ellison added a 47-yard field goal with 5:42 remaining, tying the ninth-longest kick in school history. On the next WashU possession, Eli Renick strip-sacked Moore, and Phillip Carlton Jr. recovered the fumble. McNeal sealed the win with a five-yard touchdown run.
McNeal rushed for a career-high 107 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries. Ashiru added 56 yards, and Allen contributed 52 yards and a score. Wilson finished 10-of-21 for 207 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions. Skokna led receivers with 77 yards and a touchdown on three catches.
Matt Janiak led all players with 15 tackles. Renick and Ethan Groark recorded solo sacks, while Medina and Sullivan combined for another. Roby's pick-six was one of the game's highlights. Ellison went 3-for-3 on field goals, converting from 24, 47 and 49 yards.
Moore threw for 160 yards, two touchdowns and one interception on 14-of-34 passing. Fred Ware rushed for 52 yards, and Carter had 51 receiving yards. Joy Chane led the Bears with 11 tackles.
North Central hosts No. 18 Wheaton College next Saturday in the annual Battle of the Little Brass Bell for Homecoming. The Cardinals have won the last four meetings, including a 55-27 victory last season.
