Carthage College Athletics

NAPERVILLE, Ill. — The Carthage College football team fell to North Central (Ill.), 55-3, on Saturday afternoon at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium.

• Final Score: No. 4/5 North Central (Ill.) 55, Carthage 3
• Location: Naperville, Ill. — Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium
• Records: North Central (Ill.) 7-1, 5-1 CCIW; Carthage 3-6, 2-4 CCIW

• North Central (Ill.) opened the scoring with a 20-yard field goal at the 10:57 mark of the first quarter. The Cardinals added a 6-yard rushing touchdown with 3:30 remaining to take a 10-0 lead.
• The Cardinals continued to build their advantage in the second quarter, scoring on a 1-yard rushing touchdown with 10:41 remaining. North Central (Ill.) added a 10-yard touchdown reception just 1:21 later.
• North Central (Ill.) connected for another touchdown later in the second quarter, this time on a 17-yard pass with 5:26 remaining. The Cardinals added a 35-yard field goal as time expired to take a 34-0 lead into halftime.
• North Central (Ill.) opened the second half with another scoring drive, capped by a 1-yard rushing touchdown with 11:55 remaining in the third quarter.
• Carthage got on the scoreboard with 8:44 remaining in the third. Mugdim Kreho connected on a 24-yard field goal to put the Firebirds on the board.
• The Cardinals responded with two more touchdowns before the end of the third quarter, scoring on a 29-yard pass with 3:26 remaining before adding a 7-yard rushing touchdown with 1:08 left to make it 55-3.
• Neither team scored in the fourth quarter as North Central (Ill.) secured the 55-3 victory.

• Landon Paige led Carthage's defense with 13 tackles and recorded the team's interception, returning it 37 yards.
• Ramon Campos and Briton Stanton each finished with 12 tackles, while Mariano Talamantez added 11.
• Matt Grzyb punted nine times for 353 yards, averaging 39.2 yards per punt.

"Played a top team in the country. It was a learning moment for our young program. We will continue to learn and grow from it"

• Carthage heads to Augustana (Ill.) on Saturday, November 7 at noon.