WHEATON — The Carthage College football team fell on the road in a College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) matchup Saturday afternoon, dropping a 47-21 contest to Wheaton (Ill.) at McCully Stadium.

• Final Score: Wheaton (Ill.) 47 – Carthage 21
• Location: Wheaton, Illinois – McCully Stadium
• Records: Wheaton (Ill.) 4-2 (4-1 CCIW), Carthage 2-4 (1-4 CCIW)

• Carthage jumped out to an early lead midway through the first quarter when Easton Heafner found Gavin Betts for a 45-yard touchdown strike, putting the Firebirds up 7-0.
• Wheaton responded with a touchdown of their own as the Thunder scored three times before halftime — including two touchdown passes and a short rushing score — to carry a 27-13 advantage into the break.
• The hosts extended their lead in the third with a pair of touchdown passes, pushing the margin to 42-13.
• Carthage cut into the deficit early in the fourth quarter when Jackson Westmoreland returned a blocked punt for a touchdown, and Bryce Frank connected with Heafner for a successful two-point conversion. 
• Wheaton added a 30-yard field goal and a late safety to close the scoring.

• Easton Heafner completed 19 of 33 passes for 220 yards and two touchdowns.
• Gavin Betts led all Carthage receivers with 76 yards and a touchdown on four catches, while Dylan Salisbury added a six-yard score.
• Bryce Frank totaled 83 all-purpose yards and threw for a two-point conversion.
• Briton Stanton, Amarie Hill, and Jy'Lique Barnes each tallied seven or more tackles to lead the defense.
• Mariano Talamantez grabbed an interception, while Jeremy Rowlett, Matthew Burnette, and Michael Sneed each recorded a sack.

"It had some good moments against a top team in the country. Proud of the effort, and we will continue to learn and grow from this experience."

• Carthage returns home to play Millikin on Saturday, October 25, starting at 1 p.m.