WAUKESHA, Wis. – Carroll University football suffered its first conference loss of the season Saturday afternoon, falling 44-7 to Illinois Wesleyan University at Schneider Stadium. The loss moved the Pioneers to 4-2 overall and 3-1 in CCIW play, while Illinois Wesleyan improved to 5-1 and 3-1 in the conference.
Illinois Wesleyan seized control early, scoring on each of its first three possessions to build a 21-0 advantage after the opening quarter. The Titans added 16 more points in the second quarter, taking a 37-0 lead into halftime. Carroll moved into Illinois Wesleyan territory on each of its final two possessions of the half, but a fumble and an interception ended both threats.
The Pioneers settled in after halftime, holding Illinois Wesleyan scoreless in the third quarter while beginning to find success on the ground. Anthony Martorano helped spearhead the Carroll rushing attack, finishing with a team-high 83 yards on 13 carries, including a 31-yard run. Justice Humphreys added 42 yards on nine attempts as Carroll finished with 154 rushing yards and averaged 4.8 yards per carry.
Carroll put together its best sustained possession midway through the third quarter, marching 59 yards in 10 plays before coming away empty following a missed field goal. The Pioneers again reached Illinois Wesleyan territory on their next possession before another field-goal attempt missed early in the fourth.
The Pioneers broke through late with a 13-play, 66-yard scoring drive. Omar Cherrington capped the possession with a one-yard touchdown run with 1:58 remaining, while Matthew Swink converted the extra point.
Liam Patrick led Carroll's receiving corps with three catches for 75 yards, including a game-long 36-yard reception, while Martorano finished with 105 all-purpose yards. Defensively, Jonah Behling recorded a team-high seven tackles, while Jonah Miller and Evan Griffiths each added six. August Johansen recorded a tackle for loss and three quarterback hurries, while Evan Riemenschneider totaled two tackles for loss.
Carroll finished with 278 yards of total offense and held possession for 31:36, but three turnovers proved costly as Illinois Wesleyan recorded 509 total yards.
The Pioneers return to the road next Saturday for another major CCIW test, traveling to face No. 2 Wheaton at 1 p.m.
