WHEATON, Ill. - The Carroll University football team lost to Wheaton College 58-0 in a sunny, mild College Conference of Illinois-Wisconsin game at McCully Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
It was the third conference shutout loss of the season for Carroll, which entered the showdown riding the momentum created from a convincing homecoming victory but dropped to 2-5 in the league standings and 3-5 overall.
Wheaton, which came into the contest hovering just out of the Top 25, improved to 5-2 in league and 6-2 overall.
The Thunder scored 41 points in the first half, including 14 unanswered points in what became a decisive opening quarter.
Senior quarterback Curtis McWilliams completed 13 of 17 passes for 206 yards and four touchdowns to lead the high-octane Wheaton offense, which amassed 26 first downs and 505 yards of total offense - 345 yards coming via its passing attack.
McWilliams connected on touchdown passes of 1, 15, 31 and 79 yards for the Thunder, who converted 8 of 11 times on third down and on all six of its red-zone chances. Senior wide receiver Carter Roberts had three catches for 122 yards and two TDs.
It was a difficult day for senior quarterback Colton Bahling (Belvidere, Ill.), who completed only 9 of 21 passes for 56 yards with three interceptions and was sacked three times in leading the Carroll offense - which was limited to nine first downs and 111 total yards.
Senior defensive back Colin Shepley (Northfield, Minn.) registered a team-high 10 tackles with an interception and broke up a pass for the Carroll defense. Senior linebacker Andrew Danculovich (Cudahy, Wis.) had nine tackles with senior defensive backs Linzy Hudson (Milwaukee, Wis.) and Billy Krawczyk (Lockport, Ill.) each adding seven tackles.
Krawczyk, senior linebacker Luke Wood (Potterville, Mich.) and sophomore defensive lineman Adam Miller (Manteno, Ill.) each added a sack.
Senior Austin Harter (Rockton, Ill.) punted eight times, averaging 37. 1 yards.