FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302

Sep. 20: University of Wisconsin-Platteville Pioneers (2-0) at North Central College Cardinals (1-0)

Kickoff: 6 p.m., Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium.
Live Video: Naperville Community Television, Channel 17/nctv17.com
Radio: 89.1-FM WONC
Live Stats: www.sidearmstats.com/ncc/football
Game Updates: www.twitter.com/NCC_Athletics
Series History: 1-0, North Central.

Setting the Scene: Just 10 months after their initial encounter, the Cardinals welcome Wisconsin-Platteville back to Naperville for an early showdown between two of the nation's top-rated NCAA Division III programs.

Series History: This is the second football meeting between the two schools.

North Central and UW-Platteville met at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium in the second round of the 2013 NCAA Division III Football Championship. The Cardinals jumped out to a 21-3 lead after one quarter and wound up securing a 52-24 victory to advance to the national quarterfinals for the second time.

North Central scored on its first play from scrimmage and rolled up 596 yards of total offense, led by running back Ryan Kent's 257 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. Quarterback Spencer Stanek completed 19 of 24 passes for 274 yards and threw three touchdown passes to Chad O'Kane. Defensive linemen John Focosi and Alex Tripp each had 2 1/2 quarterback sacks and safety Shane Dierking broke up four passes.

We Meet Again: Saturday's game marks the first time in the history of the North Central program that the Cardinals have played the same team in two consecutive home games.

National Rankings: North Central is ranked No. 5 and UW-Platteville is No. 7 in the most recent D3football.com National Top 25 poll.

The Cardinals were ranked ninth in the Sporting News Preseason Top 25 and the USA Today Preseason Top 10 while sitting 10th in the Preseason Top 25 released by Lindy's Sports Annuals.

Scouting the Pioneers: Platteville is off to a 2-0 start after Saturday's 26-21 victory over Dubuque.

Owning just a 17-14 lead late in the first half, the Pioneers got a 34-yard field goal from kicker Pat Frio just before halftime, then gained some breathing room in the third quarter when running back Andy Puccini hauled in a 30-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Bryce Corrigan. Puccini ran for 202 yards on 30 rushing attempts while also catching three passes for 41 yards.

Corrigan is in his first year as the starting quarterback for the Pioneers and has completed 63.9 percent of his passes for 464 yards and five touchdowns with no interceptions. Senior Trevor Whitehead leads a balanced corps of receivers with 153 yards on 14 catches, while Puccini has gained 321 yards and scored two touchdowns on the ground.

Platteville's defense has allowed 314 yards per game and forced seven turnovers, including five interceptions. Free safety Devon Vance is the team's top tackler with 11 total stops, while linebacker Jacob Zilbar has intercepted two passes and recovered a fumble.

Last Week for the Cardinals: North Central overcame a shaky start to post a decisive win in its season opener on Saturday, wiping out an 11-point deficit and securing a 51-17 victory at St. Norbert.

Facing a 17-6 deficit early in the second period, Cardinal quarterback Dylan Warden led two straight touchdown drives, scoring both times on passes to Peter Sorenson, to give North Central the lead for the first time. Linebacker Steve Liaromatis also returned a fumble for a score shortly before halftime, giving the Cardinals a 27-17 edge.

North Central pitched a 24-0 shutout in the second half, rolling up 185 yards in the third quarter alone on drives which ended in touchdown runs by Matt Randolph, Ryan Kent and Zack Pattat. Kicker Dom Zavaglia added a 32-yard field goal in the fourth period to cap the scoring.

The Cardinals outgained St. Norbert, 506-195, and limited the Green Knights to seven yards or less on six of their final nine possessions. In his first collegiate start, Warden completed 17 of 23 passes for 265 yards and ran for 66 yards on 15 carries.

Warden threw three touchdown passes to Sorenson, who gained a team-best 107 yards on five catches. Demarco Tillman added 78 yards on a career-high six receptions and Kent led the ground game with 98 yards on 15 carries.

In his first game action after sitting out the entire 2013 season due to injury, senior defensive lineman Peter Mann recorded six tackles to share the team lead with Nick Samuelson. Justin Stuursma and Brad Kuchenbecker each made five stops and Stuursma also intercepted a pass in the second half.

North Central's margin of victory was its largest in a season-opener since a 41-7 victory at Cornell College in 2010.

North Central Career Rankings: Sorenson currently ranks second all-time at North Central in touchdown receptions (24), fourth in receptions (113), fifth in receiving yards (1,620) and eighth in total touchdowns (24).

Kent, meanwhile, ranks seventh in rushing touchdowns (21) and all-purpose yards (2,408) and eighth in rushing yards (1,889). Tyler Dicken sits 10th in career touchdown passes (12).

John Skokna has moved into 10th place all-time in punt return yards (187).

Around the CCIW: This week's game is one of three night games in the CCIW this weekend. Elmhurst is hosting Chicago and Augustana is hosting Loras, also with 6 p.m. kickoff times.

Day games in the CCIW involve Wheaton hosting Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Illinois Wesleyan traveling to Simpson and North Park playing at Washington (Mo.)

Millikin and Carthage are idle this week.

CCIW Players of the Week: Elmhurst's Josh Williams and Brett Bayer, along with Wheaton's Adam Dansdill, were named the College CCIW Football Players of the Week on Monday.

Williams rushed for 306 yards on 40 carries and one touchdown in a 33-27 win at Olivet on Saturday. Williams broke the previous school record of 255 yards on 32 carries set by Derek Walker in 1995. His 40 carries is the second-highest single game total in school history as he also finished with three catches for 49 yards. Elmhurst finished with 505 yards of total offense.

Dansdill totaled 15 tackles (12 solo) during the Thunder's 26-12 win over Kalamazoo on Saturday. It was the second week in a row that he led the Thunder defense in tackles after finishing with 10 against Coe last week. Dansdill also had a sack for -7 yards against Kalamazoo.

Bayer totaled seven points against Olivet, going four-for-four on PATs and also booted a 37-yard field goal in his only attempt. Additionally, Bayer punted twice for an average of 36 yards with a long of 48.