WAUKESHA, Wis. - Carroll's football team remained undefeated on the young season Saturday, as they held the pedal to the metal from start to finish, en route to a 70-23 victory over Illinois Wesleyan. That is just six points shy of the team's single game scoring record, and is the most points the program has scored in a game since setting that record against Lawrence in 2014. The Pioneers also finished with 564 yards of total offense on Saturday, just three shy of the school record.
Carroll (3-0, 2-0 CCIW) wasted no time getting on the board, scoring on their opening possession on a 28-yard touchdown run by Nick Legnaioli, who would add another TD just one minute later after a fumble recovery set up the three-yard score. Less than one minute later, the Pios found themselves in the end zone yet again as Helio Martinez scored on a 20-yard interception return. Carroll continued to score at will in the second quarter, as Legnaioli found pay-dirt for the third time in the half with 12 minutes to play before intermission. After an Illinois Wesleyan 37-yard field goal made the score 28-3, Carroll continued its onslaught with a pair of touchdowns in the final four minutes of the half. The first of those two came on a 16-yard scamper by quarterback Josh Raby, who later found Trevor Hancock for a 13-yard score to give the Pios a commanding 42-3 halftime lead.
Carroll didn't let off the gas in the second half, scoring on their opening possession when Raby found Austin Eichstaedt near the line of scrimmage, before the receiver did the rest, running 47 yards for the score. After a 43-yard touchdown reception by Illinois Wesleyan's Kevin Graham, the Pioneers answered right back as Raby found JR Muth down the left sideline for an 84-yard TD pass, which marks the longest pass play the program has seen in eight years. Illinois Wesleyan (0-3, 0-2 CCIW) scored two touchdowns in the final minutes of the third quarter, but Carroll would get those back in the fourth on a 28-yard TD pass from Raby to Muth and a one-yard run by Tyler McClain.
Raby finished the game with a career-high 368 yards and four touchdowns without throwing an interception, while also rushing for 30 yards on seven carries (4.3 ypc) and an additional score. Mikey Coleman led Carroll's rushing attack with 89 yards on 10 carries (8.9 ypc), while Legnaioli finished with 44 yards and three scores. Ten different Pio receivers caught at least one pass, with Eichstaedt leading the way with seven receptions for 131 yards and a score. Muth also had a 100-yard game, catching three passes for 120 yards and two TDs.
Defensively, the Pioneers played with their hair on fire all game, recording four sacks, one fumble recovery, and two interceptions, while also blocking one kick. Travis Runberg led all players with a game-high nine tackles, including 1.5 for a loss. Martinez had an eventful day, filling up the box score with one tackle, one sack, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and an interception.
The Pioneers will try to keep their momentum going next week when they'll travel to Augustana (Ill.). That game will begin at 1 p.m. in Rock Island, Ill., and can be seen live at https://www.youtube.com/@augieathletics, with the radio broadcast on WAUK radio at https://waukradio.com/.
Carroll Lights Up The Scoreboard In Win Against Illinois Wesleyan
/seasons/2023/boxscores/20230923_aw24.xml
2023
Illinois Wesleyan
23
Carroll
70
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois Wesleyan (0-3) | 0 | 3 | 20 | 0 | 23 |
| Carroll (3-0) | 21 | 21 | 14 | 14 | 70 |
Sep 23, 2023