2024 North Central Cardinals football team
American college football season
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 2024 North Central Cardinals football team was an American football team that represented North Central College of Naperville, Illinois, as a member of the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) during the 2024 NCAA Division III football season. In their second year under head coach Brad Spencer, the Cardinals compiled a 15–0 record (9–0 in conference games), won the CCIW championship, and were ranked No. 1 in Division III at the end of the regular season.
Record15–0 (9–0 CCIW)
Headcoach
- Brad Spencer (3rd season)
OffensivecoordinatorEric Stuedemann (3rd season)
| 2024 North Central Cardinals football | |
|---|---|
NCAA Division III national champion CCIW champion | |
Stagg Bowl, W 41–25 vs. Mount Union | |
| Conference | College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin |
| Record | 15–0 (9–0 CCIW) |
| Head coach |
|
| Offensive coordinator | Eric Stuedemann (3rd season) |
| Offensive scheme | West Coast spread |
| Defensive coordinator | Shane Dierking (6th season) |
| Base defense | 4–3 |
| Home stadium | Benedetti–Wehrli Stadium |
| Conf. | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | W | L | W | L | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 1 North Central (IL) $^ | 9 | – | 0 | 15 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 20 Wheaton (IL) | 8 | – | 1 | 9 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Washington University | 7 | – | 2 | 8 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Illinois Wesleyan | 5 | – | 4 | 5 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Carroll (WI) | 4 | – | 5 | 5 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| North Park | 4 | – | 5 | 5 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Augustana (IL) | 3 | – | 6 | 4 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Elmhurst | 3 | – | 6 | 3 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Carthage | 2 | – | 7 | 2 | – | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Millikin | 0 | – | 9 | 0 | – | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The team advanced to the Division III playoffs where they defeated Whitworth in the second round, Hope in the third round, and Springfield in the national quarterfinal.
CCIW preseason poll
The CCIW released its preseason coaches' prediction poll on August 19, 2024. The Cardinals were predicted to finish first in the conference, receiving 8 of the possible 10 first place votes.[1]
Personnel
| 2024 North Central Cardinals football team roster | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Players | Coaches | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Offense
|
Defense
|
Special teams
|
Roster | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Schedule
| Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | Result | Attendance | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 14 | 6:00 p.m. | at No. 14 Aurora* | No. 1 |
| W 48–21 | 3,743 | |
| September 21 | 1:00 p.m. | at Carthage | No. 1 |
| W 63–0 | 1,553 | |
| September 28 | 12:00 p.m. | Washington University | No. 1 | W 49–9 | 4,000 | ||
| October 5 | 1:00 p.m. | at No. 18 Wheaton (IL) | No. 1 |
| W 55–27 | 5,337 | |
| October 12 | 1:00 p.m. | at Millikin | No. 1 |
| W 70–14 | 475 | |
| October 19 | 6:00 p.m. | North Park | No. 1 |
| W 69–0 | 4,500 | |
| October 26 | 1:00 p.m. | at Augustana (IL) | No. 1 |
| W 49–10 | 875 | |
| November 2 | 12:00 p.m. | Carroll (WI) | No. 1 |
| W 56–3 | 3,500 | |
| November 9 | 12:00 p.m. | Elmhurst | No. 1 |
| W 70–7 | 2,000 | |
| November 16 | 1:00 p.m. | at Illinois Wesleyan | No. 1 |
| W 42–20 | 2,238 | [2] |
| November 30 | 12:00 p.m. | No. 22 Whitworth* | No. 1 |
| W 42–17 | 761 | [3] |
| December 7 | 12:00 p.m. | No. 16 Hope* | No. 1 |
| W 41–21 | 1,491 | [4] |
| December 14 | 12:00 p.m. | No. 23 Springfield* | No. 1 |
| W 27–3 | 942 | |
| December 21 | 2:30 p.m. | No. 6 Susquehanna* | No. 1 |
| W 66–0 | 1,206 | |
| January 5, 2025 | 7:00 p.m. | vs. No. 5 Mount Union* | No. 1 | W 41–25 | 1,938 | ||
| |||||||
Rankings
| Week | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | Final |
| D3football.com | 1 (14) | 1 (17) | 1 (17) | 1 (16) | 1 (16) | 1 (18) | 1 (18) | 1 (18) | 1 (18) | 1 (18) | 1 (22) | 1 (22) | 1 (25) |
| AFCA | 1 (26) | 1 (28) | 1 (33) | 1 (33) | 1 (36) | 1 (36) | 1 (36) | 1 (36) | 1 (37) | 1 (36) | 1 (38) | 1 (38) | 1 (43) |
Game summaries
At No. 14 Aurora
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 1 Cardinals | 17 | 17 | 7 | 7 | 48 |
| No. 14 Spartans | 0 | 7 | 14 | 0 | 21 |
| Statistics | NCC | AUR |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 25 | 18 |
| Total yards | 463 | 372 |
| Rushing yards | 222 | 83 |
| Passing yards | 241 | 289 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 33:00 | 27:00 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Central | Passing | Luke Lehnen | 21/31, 241 yards, 3 TD |
| Rushing | Joe Sacco | 19 rushes, 146 yards, 3 TD | |
| Receiving | Trey Madsen | 6 receptions, 63 yards, TD | |
| Aurora | Passing | Tyler Adkins | 22/40, 289 yards, TD, INT |
| Rushing | Tyler Adkins | 8 rushes, 55 yards | |
| Receiving | Ty Pruett | 4 receptions, 122 yards, TD |
At Carthage
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 1 Cardinals | 7 | 21 | 14 | 21 | 63 |
| Firebirds | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Statistics | NCC | CAR |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 31 | 9 |
| Total yards | 629 | 146 |
| Rushing yards | 300 | 29 |
| Passing yards | 329 | 117 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 29:34 | 30:26 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Central | Passing | Luke Lehnen | 16/25, 294 yards, 2 TD, INT |
| Rushing | Joe Sacco | 16 rushes, 96 yards, 2 TD | |
| Receiving | Thomas Skokna | 2 receptions, 67 yards | |
| Carthage | Passing | Bryce Lowe | 21/33, 117 yards, 2 INT |
| Rushing | Bryce Frank | 10 rushes, 17 yards | |
| Receiving | Gavin Betts | 4 receptions, 42 yards |
Washington University
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bears | 0 | ||||
| No. 1 Cardinals | 0 |
| Statistics | WASHU | NCC |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | ||
| Total yards | ||
| Rushing yards | ||
| Passing yards | ||
| Turnovers | ||
| Time of possession | ||
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington University | Passing | ||
| Rushing | |||
| Receiving | |||
| North Central | Passing | ||
| Rushing | |||
| Receiving |
At No. 18 Wheaton (IL)
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 1 Cardinals | 0 | ||||
| No. 18 Thunder | 0 |
| Statistics | NCC | WHE |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | ||
| Total yards | ||
| Rushing yards | ||
| Passing yards | ||
| Turnovers | ||
| Time of possession | ||
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Central | Passing | ||
| Rushing | |||
| Receiving | |||
| Wheaton | Passing | ||
| Rushing | |||
| Receiving |
At Millikin
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 1 Cardinals | 0 | ||||
| Big Blue | 0 |
| Statistics | NCC | MIL |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | ||
| Total yards | ||
| Rushing yards | ||
| Passing yards | ||
| Turnovers | ||
| Time of possession | ||
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Central | Passing | ||
| Rushing | |||
| Receiving | |||
| Millikin | Passing | ||
| Rushing | |||
| Receiving |
North Park
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vikings | 0 | ||||
| No. 1 Cardinals | 0 |
| Statistics | NPU | NCC |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | ||
| Total yards | ||
| Rushing yards | ||
| Passing yards | ||
| Turnovers | ||
| Time of possession | ||
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Park | Passing | ||
| Rushing | |||
| Receiving | |||
| North Central | Passing | ||
| Rushing | |||
| Receiving |
At Augustana (IL)
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 1 Cardinals | 0 | ||||
| Vikings | 0 |
| Statistics | NCC | AUG |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | ||
| Total yards | ||
| Rushing yards | ||
| Passing yards | ||
| Turnovers | ||
| Time of possession | ||
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Central | Passing | ||
| Rushing | |||
| Receiving | |||
| Augustana | Passing | ||
| Rushing | |||
| Receiving |
Carroll (WI)
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pioneers | 0 | ||||
| No. 1 Cardinals | 0 |
| Statistics | CAR | NCC |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | ||
| Total yards | ||
| Rushing yards | ||
| Passing yards | ||
| Turnovers | ||
| Time of possession | ||
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carroll | Passing | ||
| Rushing | |||
| Receiving | |||
| North Central | Passing | ||
| Rushing | |||
| Receiving |
Elmhurst
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bluejays | 0 | ||||
| No. 1 Cardinals | 0 |
| Statistics | ELM | NCC |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | ||
| Total yards | ||
| Rushing yards | ||
| Passing yards | ||
| Turnovers | ||
| Time of possession | ||
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elmhurst | Passing | ||
| Rushing | |||
| Receiving | |||
| North Central | Passing | ||
| Rushing | |||
| Receiving |
At Illinois Wesleyan
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 1 Cardinals | 0 | ||||
| Titans | 0 |
| Statistics | NCC | IWU |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | ||
| Total yards | ||
| Rushing yards | ||
| Passing yards | ||
| Turnovers | ||
| Time of possession | ||
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Central | Passing | ||
| Rushing | |||
| Receiving | |||
| Illinois Wesleyan | Passing | ||
| Rushing | |||
| Receiving |
No. 22 Whitworth (NCAA Division III Second Round)
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 22 Pirates | 0 | 3 | 0 | 14 | 17 |
| No. 1 Cardinals | 21 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 42 |
| Statistics | WTW | NCC |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 16 | 20 |
| Total yards | 329 | 493 |
| Rushing yards | 99 | 350 |
| Passing yards | 230 | 143 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 31:01 | 28:59 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whitworth | Passing | Ryan Blair | 29/48, 230 yards, TD, INT |
| Rushing | Nathan Owens | 3 rushes, 56 yards, TD | |
| Receiving | Dawson Tobeck | 6 receptions, 54 yards | |
| North Central | Passing | Luke Lehnen | 10/13, 137 yards, 2 TD |
| Rushing | Joe Sacco | 10 rushes, 198 yards, 2 TD | |
| Receiving | Isaac Banker | 1 reception, 54 yards |
No. 16 Hope (NCAA Division III Third Round)
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 16 Flying Dutchmen | 0 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 21 |
| No. 1 Cardinals | 0 | 21 | 13 | 7 | 41 |
| Statistics | HOPE | NCC |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 17 | 21 |
| Total yards | 334 | 486 |
| Rushing yards | 167 | 234 |
| Passing yards | 167 | 252 |
| Turnovers | 3 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 27:05 | 32:55 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hope | Passing | Ben Wellman | 13/27, 167 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT |
| Rushing | Ben Wellman | 11 rushes, 83 yards, TD | |
| Receiving | Grant Holtzer | 5 receptions, 103 yards, 2 TD | |
| North Central | Passing | Luke Lehnen | 13/18, 234 yards, 2 TD, INT |
| Rushing | Joe Sacco | 19 rushes, 120 yards, TD | |
| Receiving | Thomas Skokna | 4 receptions, 119 yards, TD |
No. 23 Springfield (NCAA Division III Quarterfinal)
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 23 Pride | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| No. 1 Cardinals | 7 | 10 | 3 | 7 | 27 |
| Statistics | SPR | NCC |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 17 | 18 |
| Total yards | 260 | 328 |
| Rushing yards | 227 | 232 |
| Passing yards | 33 | 96 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 34:41 | 25:19 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Springfield | Passing | Drew Heenan | 3/10, 33 yards |
| Rushing | Arsen Shtefan | 20 rushes, 92 yards | |
| Receiving | Logan Schenk | 1 reception, 20 yards | |
| North Central | Passing | Luke Lehnen | 10/20, 96 yards, 2 TD |
| Rushing | Sean Allen | 15 rushes, 94 yards, TD | |
| Receiving | Jack Rummell | 2 receptions, 46 yards, TD |
No. 6 Susquehanna (NCAA Division III Semifinal)
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 6 River Hawks | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| No. 1 Cardinals | 21 | 28 | 14 | 3 | 66 |
| Statistics | SQH | NCC |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 5 | 32 |
| Total yards | 135 | 638 |
| Rushing yards | 60 | 352 |
| Passing yards | 75 | 286 |
| Turnovers | 3 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 23:59 | 36:01 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Susquehanna | Passing | Bobby Croyle | 4/9, 55 yards |
| Rushing | Rahshan La Mons | 14 rushes, 72 yards | |
| Receiving | Chris Bookter | 1 reception, 25 yards | |
| North Central | Passing | Luke Lehnen | 16/17, 275 yards, 4 TD |
| Rushing | Jordan Williams | 16 rushes, 106 yards, TD | |
| Receiving | Jacob Paradee | 3 receptions, 86 yards, 2 TD |
Vs. No. 5 Mount Union (Stagg Bowl)
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 5 Purple Raiders | 7 | 3 | 7 | 8 | 25 |
| No. 1 Cardinals | 7 | 7 | 7 | 20 | 41 |
| Statistics | UMU | NCC |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 23 | 25 |
| Total yards | 426 | 495 |
| Rushing yards | 112 | 197 |
| Passing yards | 314 | 298 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 29:32 | 30:28 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Union | Passing | T. J. Deshields | 21/36, 314 yards, 2 TD |
| Rushing | Tyler Echeverry | 20 rushes, 83 yards, TD | |
| Receiving | Nick Turner | 7 receptions, 104 yards, TD | |
| North Central | Passing | Luke Lehnen | 18/26, 298 yards, 4 TD |
| Rushing | Charles Coleman | 2 rushes, 68 yards, TD | |
| Receiving | Thomas Skokna | 3 receptions, 94 yards |