PELLA, Iowa—There was lightning in the skies and on the field as the Central College football team capitalized on quick strikes for a 62-20 homecoming romp past Buena Vista University Saturday.
Sophomore quarterback Blaine Hawkins (Ankeny) was a laser-like 16-of-17 for 206 yards and four touchdowns, setting a new school completion percentage record. His .941 effort shattered the mark of .864 set by Chris Nelson (19-22-0) against Wartburg in 1972.
That kept the Dutch unbeaten at 5-0 overall and in first place in the American Rivers Conference with a 3-0 mark.
Central was almost too effective early after Buena Vista grabbed a 7-0 lead with a 14-play, 65-yard opening drive with 9:38 left in the first quarter. The Dutch needed just 1:29 to answer as Tanner Schminke (sophomore, Boone) snagged a 26-yard Hawkins toss to make it 7-7. After forcing a Buena Vista punt, Hunter Robinson (junior, Williamsburg) raced 60 yards before fumbling at the 4-yard line, only to have the loose ball snagged by Connor Lewin (junior, Stillman Valley, Ill.) who took it into the end zone.
But that forced Central to return to defense.
"It just felt like we were on the field a long time defensively," coach Jeff McMartin said. "That's the exact opposite of what you want, even though we were up 14-7. Just thinking ahead to how the rest of the game would play out, that's something we were mindful of."
The defense responded with, yet again, a pivotal goal-line stand. The Dutch had forced Buena Vista to run seven plays inside the 10-yard line before surrendering the opening score. Then, with the Beavers poised to tie the score early in the second quarter with a first down at the Central 2, the Dutch defense held for no gain on four straight plays. Central then drove 98 yards, with Hawkins lofting a 60-yard scoring pass to Erik Knaack (sophomore, Reinbeck, Gladbrook-Reinbeck HS), and suddenly it was 21-7. Central added a 7-yard Hawkins' keeper for a TD on the final possession of the half. Wide receiver Erik Knaack had a 60-yard TD reception in Saturday's win over Buena Vista.
Then Central's senior trio of running backs took over. Pat Gray (West Des Moines, Waukee HS) caught a 9-yard scoring pass, Donny Groezinger (Sulphur Springs, Texas, Eastland, Ill. HS) grabbed an 11-yarder and Nathan Fitzgerald (Elkader, Central HS) burst free for a 46-yard TD run.
Brady Johnson (junior, Stanton) caught a 24-yard TD pass from Brayden Egli (freshman, Saint Charles, I-35 HS) as the reserves took over in the fourth quarter and Eddie Doran (freshman, Moline, Ill.) completed the scoring with a 1-yard run.
Still, the lopsided score didn't reflect the effort Central needed for the win.
"It didn't feel like (a rout), especially in the first half," McMartin said. "BV has a very good quarterback and a very good offensive scheme that's tough to defend."
Central rushed for 175 yards and threw for 275, outgaining Buena Vista 450-438 yards.
Fitzgerald rushed for 78 yards on six carries while Gray was the top receiver with five for 32 yards and Knaack had four catches for 114 yards. Schminke also had an 86-yard kickoff return.
"I thought our offense was very efficient and very productive," McMartin said. "There are things we can do better, there's no question about that. We made some mistakes but overall we executed well and guys made plays."
The Dutch defense, which was minus three injured starters, gave up 212 yards rushing and 226 through the air. Linebacker Jake Poster (senior, Davenport, Assumption HS) had a game-high nine tackles with a sack and two tackles for loss. Lewin had eight stops, including two sacks and linebacker Drew Kithcart (senior, Atkins, Benton HS) had six tackles.
Halftime was extended 30 minutes due to a lightning delay, but it didn't seem to affect the Dutch.
"This is a team that has handled different routine changes and schedule changes very well," McMartin said. "We had a long trip to DePauw and a long trip to Northwestern and when you're making these trips, things are going to happen. Every single time something has happened to us, whether it's a delay or a change of plans, this team has really handled it in stride. I give the seniors and upperclassmen a lot of credit."
Central returns to the road for the fourth time in six games next week, traveling to Nebraska Wesleyan at Lincoln for a 1 p.m. game. The Prairie Wolves are 1-4 overall and 0-3 in the league after getting outscored at Coe College Saturday, 40-28. Last year Central was a 52-27 winner when the teams met in Pella.