WAUKESHA, Wis. – The Carroll University football team suffered its first home defeat of the 2021 season on Saturday afternoon against No. 1 North Central College by a score of 7-62. The Pioneer offense scored on the first possession but struggled to stop the powerful North Central offense the remainder of the game.
 
The Pioneers (2-2, 1-2 CCIW) totaled 229 total yards of offense on 57 plays. Carroll gained 56 yards on the ground and 165 yards through the air. Michael Johnson had a slow day, completing 15 passes for 139 yards and the lone touchdown in the first quarter. Carroll racked up 62 tackles, with 10 coming from Jonathan Rau, who also had the lone interception and turnover of the ballgame.
 
Carroll started the first drive on their own 25-yard line. A combination of three runs by Nick Legnaioli and four completions by Johnson led to a five yard touchdown pass to J.R Muth. The touchdown was set up by 51-yard reception by Austin Eichstaedt, his only catch of the game.
 
North Central responded with a 69-yard kickoff return that set up a three-play, 1:20 drive that resulted in a 12-yard rushing touchdown. With their next possession, Carroll drove the ball 35 yards to the 50-yard line but was stopped on a 3^rd and 10 and forced to punt.
 
The Pioneers had the ball down to the North Central 32-yard line in the second quarter, on a 4^th and five play. Johnson's pass to Muth was broken up and the Pios turned the ball over on downs. North Central scored on the next drive nine plays later.
 
Carroll was outscored 7-34 in the first half, and 0-28 in the second.
 
Carroll will reset and travel to Chicago to battle with North Park on Saturday, October 9th. Carroll defeated North Park in 2019 by a score of 26-14.