New quarterback, no problem as North Central College piles up offense vs. Wisconsin-Oshkosh
Wisconsin-Oshkosh scored an early touchdown off a blocked punt, but No. 1-ranked North Central College rolled off 45 straight points and won its nonconference season opener 45-14 on Saturday in Naperville.
Trailing 7-0, the Cardinals answered with 24 points in the second quarter on the way to 569 yards of total offense. North Central started Oklahoma State transfer Garret Wilson at quarterback, and he completed 16 of 22 passes for 261 yards and 3 touchdowns. Ferris State transfer Demir Ashiru also saw action at QB.
Wide receiver Thomas Skokna (Hinsdale Central) had a big day, with 7 catches for 128 yards and 2 touchdowns. NIU transfer Jalen Johnson (Metea Valley) added a 59-yard catch in his North Central debut.
Sean Allen led the rushing attack with 99 yards, sophomore Donovan McNeal (Warren) added 74, while Wilson ran for 72, including a 59-yard TD in the second quarter. Defensive tackle John Sullivan (Lakes) led the Cardinals with 8 tackles and a sack.
Elmhurst 34, Rockford 30
Elmhurst made a winner of first-year head coach Mike Heffernan, a Lake Zurich native. The Bluejays jumped to a 28-10 lead at halftime and held on for a 34-30 victory over visiting Rockford.
Quarterback John Odom (Wheaton Warrenville South) threw for 400 yards and 4 touchdowns. Sophomore Mason Leach (St. Charles East) had 122 receiving yards and 83 rushing yards for Elmhurst. Freshman Jonathan Wells (Larkin) added a pair of interceptions for the defense.
Aurora 35, Mt. St. Joseph 28
Trey Urwiler (Batavia) caught a 24-yard touchdown pass with 3:19 left, giving Aurora a 35-28 victory over Mount St. Joseph in Cincinnati. Running back T.J. Ramsey (Conant) added 100 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns for the Spartans (1-1).
SW Baptist 40, Roosevelt 34
Roosevelt scored 3 touchdowns in the fourth quarter, but it wasn't enough to catch Southwest Baptist and the Lakers dropped a 40-34 decision in a nonconference Division II game in Arlington Heights.