WAUKESHA, Wis. – Carroll University football fell to #4 North Central College, 62-7, Saturday afternoon at Schneider Stadium. The loss moved the Pioneers to 4-4 overall and 3-3 in CCIW play.
Carroll created an opportunity immediately, as Amarrion Bridges intercepted North Central quarterback Garret Wilson on the Cardinals' opening possession. The takeaway gave the Pioneers the ball at the North Central 33-yard line, but a 43-yard field goal attempt came wide right.
After a scoreless opening 10 minutes, North Central broke through with 4:14 remaining in the first quarter on Wilson's 55-yard touchdown pass to Zebulon Rashid. The Cardinals added another touchdown late in the quarter to take a 14-0 advantage.
Carroll answered early in the second quarter with the biggest offensive play of the afternoon. Following a North Central turnover on downs, Elisha Nieves broke free for a 60-yard touchdown run to pull the Pioneers within 14-7 with 13:50 remaining in the half.
North Central responded with 17 unanswered points before halftime, extending its advantage to 31-7. Carroll put together one of its best drives late in the half, moving 49 yards in 13 plays and reaching the Cardinals' 26-yard line before a field goal attempt was unsuccessful.
The Cardinals maintained control after the break, adding 10 points in the third quarter and 21 more in the fourth to close out the 62-7 decision. North Central finished with 650 yards of total offense, including 338 on the ground, while Carroll recorded 197 total yards.
Nieves led the Pioneers on the ground with 60 yards and a touchdown on five carries, while Jason Pogue added an 18-yard rush on a fake punt. Liam Patrick led Carroll's receivers with three catches for 25 yards, while Corey Johnson finished with two receptions for 33 yards, including a 29-yard catch in the fourth quarter.
Beau Veit turned in a strong afternoon in the punting game, averaging 49.5 yards across eight punts with three traveling at least 50 yards. His longest punt went 70 yards. Defensively, Jack Madigan, Andrew Redmon, Aiden McGlinn and Larsen Dixon each finished with six total tackles, while Bridges recorded Carroll's interception.
Carroll will return to action next Saturday when the Pioneers travel to Chicago to take on North Park. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
