North Central College Cardinals

Contact: Nicholas Osterloo, Director of Athletics Communication, 630-637-5324

DECATUR, Ill. (Nov. 7, 2026) - Scoring seven rushing touchdowns on the day, the North Central College football team ran past Millikin University, 62-12, behind another dominant defensive effort Saturday at Frank M. Lindsay Field. The Cardinals totaled five sacks and forced three turnovers in the victory.

The Cardinal defense forced a three-and-out on the Big Blue's opening possession, thanks to a sack by Bobby Medina. Following a short punt that gave North Central possession in Millikin territory, Garret Wilson connected with David Ballard III for a 19-yard completion to move into the red zone. Duke Guenther followed with a touchdown run off the left side, and Sean Ryniec's extra point put the Cardinals ahead 7-0.

Millikin's next drive ended with a turnover on downs. On the ensuing play, Zebulon Rashid took the handoff 57 yards for a touchdown, extending North Central's lead to 14-0.

Another three-and-out, capped by a Kyler Green sack, gave the ball back to the Cardinal offense. Wilson found Jack Rummell for 16 yards before Guenther added an 11-yard run. Facing fourth-and-eight, Ryniec drilled a 46-yard field goal to extend the lead to 17-0.

On Millikin's first drive of the second quarter, Matt Janiak came up with a key fourth-down stop. Guenther broke free for a 39-yard run, and Rashid capped the drive with a 16-yard touchdown run, his second score of the day.

The Big Blue responded with their longest drive of the game, marching 75 yards in eight plays to get on the board. The extra-point attempt was unsuccessful, leaving North Central in front 24-6 midway through the second quarter.

Wilson connected with Ballard III for a 14-yard gain before Guenther and Wilson combined to move the Cardinals into Millikin territory. Four straight rushing attempts set up a five-yard touchdown pass from Wilson to Rashid, giving North Central a 31-6 advantage.

Millikin answered again with a 20-yard touchdown pass from Sylas Gomez to Justin White. A failed two-point conversion kept the Cardinals ahead 31-12.

With 42 seconds remaining in the half, Alex Anderson returned the ensuing kickoff 34 yards to set up the Cardinal offense. Wilson found Ballard III for 15 yards and Guenther for 16 more. With seven seconds left before halftime, Ryniec connected on a 39-yard field goal into the wind, giving North Central a 34-12 lead at the break.

Guenther's big day continued in the third quarter. He raced 26 yards across midfield and capped the opening drive of the second half with a 19-yard touchdown run, his second score of the game. Ryniec's extra point pushed the lead to 41-12 and marked his 243rd career extra point, setting a new North Central program record.

After another defensive three-and-out, Wilson hit Rummell for a 41-yard gain to the two-yard line. Jordan Williams finished off the drive with a touchdown run to extend the Cardinal advantage to 48-12.

With Millikin driving, Graham Wight recorded a sack on second down before Green forced a fumble on a fourth-down sack that was recovered by Janiak. On the Big Blue's next possession, Green intercepted a Gomez pass, leading to a one-yard rushing touchdown by Evan Keil.

Ethan Groark added another takeaway, intercepting Ethan Dattillo on second-and-four with just under 10 minutes remaining. The turnover set up Keil's second one-yard touchdown run of the game as the Cardinals stretched the lead to 62-12 and secured the win.

Guenther led the Cardinals on the ground with 132 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Rashid finished with a career-high 109 rushing yards, adding two rushing touchdowns and a receiving touchdown. Ballard III hauled in eight receptions for 69 yards.

Phillip Carlton Jr. and Brayden Garrigan paced the North Central defense with nine tackles each. Carlton added a sack and two tackles for loss. Green recorded six tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble and an interception. As a team, the Cardinals totaled five sacks and forced three turnovers. Ryniec accounted for 14 points, converting two field goals and all eight extra-point attempts.

North Central hosts Illinois Wesleyan University in its regular-season finale Saturday at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for noon. The Cardinals have won each of the last 15 meetings against the Titans, including a 24-7 victory last season in Naperville.