Cardinals locked arm-in-arm as the enter Frank M Lindsay Stadium on the campus of Millikin University. North Central looking to go 9-1 and close out the season with a statement win. Millikin coming off an upset win over Wash U.
First Quarter
We begin our highlight on the very play of the game… the kickoff hauled in by the freshman, DeAngelo Hardy… the guys call him D-Lo… and he’s D-long gone! Gets to the near sideline and explodes to the endzone – North Central up 7-0 early.
Millikin then getting the rock and trying to answer… and this will play. Richard Cosey looking like he’s bottled up, only to shake free and bust out for a 48 yard run. Big Blue in business.
Now inside the red zone, quarterback Cal Pohrte drops back but is under pressure… and down he goes! Bryan Beauchamp on the sack.
So it’s fourth and 10… Pohrte looks but theres nothing there. Pulls it down and look who it is again! The captain, Beauchamp on the tackle. Turnover on downs.
After North Central tacks on a field goal, Millikin back with a chance to score – this time Pohrte finds Colton Lockwood for the 2 yard touchdown. And it’s a 10-7 ball game.
On the kickoff… and… wait a second.. is this déjà vu? Eh… not quite, but Hardy does return it for 42 yards putts NCC at midfield
Less than four minutes to go in the opening quarter and on the very next play… Ethan Greenfield is sending the Big Blue to the dentist cause he just ran straight through the teeth of the defense. 51 yards to the house – North Central up 17-7
Next possession for Millikin and Cosey is running left but he’s cut down by Dakota Cremeens and the ball is out! Ben Wong grabs it and the Cardinals force a turnover.
Cardinals once again wasting little time – as Rutter rocks back and fires deep over the middle to Hardy – his second touchdown, but first one receiving and North Central pulling away a little – it’s 24-7, still in the first quarter.
Second Quarter
Finally, we’ve reach the second, and after a 12 play, 48 yard drive, Millikin punches it in. Pohrte finds Jordan Smith in the endzone – lead cut down… it’s 24-14.
It’s been a quiet day so far for Andrew Kamienski but that is about to change. After already picking up 8 yards on the play before… here’s another 21.
And two plays later, Rutter again finding his go-to guy on the crosser… and check out the balance on display… tip toes the sideline… and he’s into the end zone – 19th TD of the season. Cardinals lead 31-14 with 5 minutes to go in the half.
Third Quarter
To the third! Millikin again knocking on the door of a score… and it’s Cosey getting the call despite the earlier fumble. He’s in and the Big Blue just won’t go away – trailing 31-20.
Remember when Greenfield took the handoff earlier and went 50 yards to the house… how about some more please! On those two carries along – 100 yards and two touchdowns. He finishes with a buck 99 and 3 TDs.
As for that relatively quiet day Kamienski was having… yeah, he’s predictably breaking out too. Rutter finds him on the next drive – which ends with Greenfield’s third touchdown. It’s now 45-20 in the third.
Cardinal defense back on the field trying to turn back the Big Blue after a fumbled punt… and how about the defense from Jake Beesley! Textbook stuff on fourth down!
Trying to get out of their own field, Rutter finds Greenfield on the wheel route. And this is the third play the sophomore running back has of 50 yards or more – he rumbles for 58 this go around. Cards in business.
And it cap it all off… a 28 yard touchdown to Kamienski – school records… all his. 20th touchdown of the season, no one has ever done that. Rutter finishes with 3 on the day, 41 for the year. Cardinals win – 59-32 and now get Wabash at home in the opening round of the playoffs – noon kickoff.
