LISLE, Ill. – The Carroll University football team played their first game in over 600 days on Saturday night. The Pioneers opened the game a bit rusty, but scored 21 unanswered points in the second half to take the win, 35-24. Senior Quarterback Michael Johnson finished 23-35 with 242 yards passing, two touchdowns, and an interception. Junior defensive back Jordan Gaulke finished with a team-high 10 tackles.
 
The Pioneers (1-0, 0-0 CCIW) combined for 361 yards of total offense in their return, including 119 on the ground led by Freshman Nick Leganioli's 66 yards. Sophomore Josh Hill and Sophomore Austin Eichstaedt caught eight passes each for a combined 125 yards through the air. Carroll recorded just one sack of the game by Nick Mantas at the end of the first half but intercepted two passes in the contest. Carroll recorded 13 total drives in the contest, five of them counting for points with only two forced turnovers.
 
It was a historic day for Head Coach Mike Budziszewski, who recorded his first career win as a head coach. "We are proud of the composure our team had going into the second half," said Budziszewski about the game. "We faced some adversity and were able to come back with sound football to secure a big win versus a good football team."
 
Carroll stumbled a bit in the first half, fumbling a ball on a kickoff return, giving the Eagles the ball at the Pioneer 34-yard line. After finding themselves down 0-14 in the second quarter, Johnson orchestrated a 10-play, 53-yard drive downfield, including an 18-yard completion to Hill. On 4^th and goal on the two-yard line, Johnson took it in himself for the first score of the season.
 
With the Eagles charging downfield, Sean Schmidt forced an interception after a pass breakup late in the second quarter. Mantas tallied a sack just before the clock hit zero to end the first half. 
 
The Pios allowed a quick touchdown to start the third quarter but responded with a Legnaioli return for 44 yards to the BenU 35. Johnson connected with J.R Muth for the four-yard score after a 7-play, 35-yard drive to make it a one-possession game.
 
After a BenU field goal, Carroll scored the next two touchdowns on their next two possessions to take the lead. An Adam Timbrook six-yard run gave the Pios a four-point lead with 11:16 remaining. Carroll ate the clock on their next possession, beginning at 10:15 and ending the drive at 6:18. Timbrook drove it into the end zone again for his second score of the game. The score was set up by a 47-yard completion between Johnson and Keon Miller.
 
Benedictine was able to work their way to the Carroll forty-yard line trying to mount an 11-point comeback, but Wyatt Skipper ended the threat at the Carroll 36 yard-line with his interception. After giving the ball back with 2:37 remaining, Carroll sealed the game with a Jonathan Rau fumble recovery.

The Pioneers return to Schneider Stadium for their home opener on September 18, as they begin conference play against Illinois Wesleyan. The Pios fell 13-28 the last time the Titans came to Schneider Stadium.