WAUKESHA, Wis. – The Carroll University football controlled the game from start to finish to retain the Old Musket for back-to-back years since 1995-1996 in a 59-14 wallop over the Carthage Firebirds. Quarterback
Josh Raby set the new offensive all-purpose touchdown record with seven, four of which were rushing scores.
Jake Binkowski recorded the second-longest interception return for a touchdown in program history with a 99-yard pick-six.
The Pioneers (5-3, 4-3 CCIW) racked up 515 yards of total offense, the most in a game this season over 79 plays. 354 yards of offense came through the air as Raby let it fly for 337 yards and three touchdowns.
Austin Eichstaedt returned to form and caught nine passes for 142 yards and two touchdowns. The Pios picked up 10-15 third down conversions, while the defense held Carthage to 3-13 on third down.
Damon Loker finished with nine total tackles to lead the team.
Will Campbell had three solo tackles and three assisted.
After a three and out to start, the Pios scored on a five-play, 33-yard drive capped off by a Raby rush up the middle. Carroll got the ball back four plays later and Raby added another rushing touchdown after a 10-play drive. Raby also had a receiving touchdown in the game but fumbled the ball in the end zone that Carthage quickly fell on.
After a Laurent field goal, Raby threw his first touchdown of the game with 5:24 left in the first half on a five-yard score to Eichstaedt. Carthage began to drive and was at the Carroll five-yard line where Binkowski picked off the Firebirds at the one-yard line and returned it to the other end of the field for the score. Carroll took a 31-0 lead into the halftime break.
Carroll scored five plays into the second half with a deep pass to Eichstaedt 24-yards out. The Firebirds got on the board on their next possession and picked off Raby to get the ball back. Their late third-quarter drive fell short on fourth down and gave the offense the ball back. Raby connected with
J.R Muth for a 12-yard score right before the end of the third period, but the Firebirds answered back with a 68-yard pass as the clock ticked down. Raby and the Pios tacked on with two more scores in the fourth, both rushing touchdowns for the quarterback. The Carroll defense held Carthage to just 10 yards in the fourth quarter.
The Pioneers head on the road for the final time this season, taking on the Millikin Big Blue next Saturday, November 5.
