Posted: Saturday, October 13, 2007 12:00 am
Journal Times staff
The Carthage College football team took charge early Saturday against North Park University.
Carthage scored two touchdowns in the first quarter en route to a 40-18 victory over North Park in a College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin game at Holmgren Athletic Complex in Chicago.
It was the Red Men's first victory in three CCIW games this season. The Red Men are 4-2 overall.
It was North Park's 50th straight conference setback. North Park is 0-3 in the CCIW and 1-5 overall.
The Red Men got on the scoreboard quickly as Donovan Moore intercepted a pass on the second play of the game and returned it 30 yards for a touchdown.
Then, with 4:01 left in the first quarter, Carthage quarterback Brennan O'Boyle teamed with Jeff Koeneman on a 10-yard touchdown pass.
The Red Men widened their lead to 16-10 early in the second quarter when North Park quarterback Shelby Wood was called for intentional grounding, giving Carthage a safety.
By halftime, the Red Men had a commanding 33-6 advantage.
The Red Men totaled 361 yards in total offense. Andy DeBouef rushed for 72 yards on 16 carries.
"I was pleased with the win,'' Carthage coach Tim Rucks said. "The second half we got a little sloppy, but we played with a lot of confidence and authority in the first half. We didn't appear nervous - we just went out and played football.
"Our message all week was that we weren't going to feel sorry for ourselves for losing two conference games and we're weren't going to point fingers.''