Previously there were only glimpses.
But the offensive potential the Central College football team hinted was possible surfaced in a big way with seven touchdown passes and 552 yards total offense Saturday, overwhelming the University of Dubuque 55-16.
The Dutch (4-1 overall, 2-1 American Rivers) were as sizzling as the unseasonable 90-degree weather that a sunbaked homecoming crowd endured. Hunter Hoffman (sophomore, Pecatonica, Ill.), taking a firmer hold on the long-contested quarterback spot, completed a career-best 27-of-40 passes for 281 yards and five touchdowns with one interception while also nimbly navigating his way for a game-high 110 yards on the ground on 16 carries. Quarterback Keegan Glover (sophomore, Benton, Ill.) took over in the fourth quarter and his only two passes went for TDs, finishing with 27 yards.
"
"This was not what I envisioned it would be like today but I'm really glad it worked out the way it did," coach Jeff McMartin said.
Five Central receivers had touchdown catches. Jeff Herbers (5th-year, Urbandale, Des Moines Christian HS) had a team-high eight receptions for 91 yards and two scores. Logan Mont (senior, Aurora, Ill., West Aurora HS) had five catches for 56 yards and Ryan Neu (senior, West Des Moines, Valley HS) had three receptions for 38 yards and two touchdowns. Jack Johnson (junior, Mount Pleasant), Grant Nelson (junior, Pella) and freshman running back Jase Grunder (Tampico, Ill., Prophetstown, Ill.) each had TD catches as well. It was Grunder's first collegiate reception.
While the offensive numbers shimmered, the Dutch defense played a significant role as well, forcing five Dubuque turnovers, including an 82-yard pick-six by linebacker Brody Klein (senior, Rainier, Wash.).
"He was weaving in and out, making people miss and he got some key blocks," McMartin said. "Brody showed what a good athlete he is today."
And it was the defense that set the tone on the opening drive, when Dubuque (1-3 overall, 1-1 conference) secured a first down on the Central 9-yard line. But the Dutch forced a pair of incompletions and a 4-yard pass and Dubuque settled for a 22-yard field goal.
"That's something we've done a lot better job of this year than last year," McMartin said. "In 2022, we were not good in the red zone at getting stops or making people kick field goals. We've become a much better team at that this year."
Central responded with an eight-play, 71-yard scoring drive and the first of three Hoffman first-quarter TD passes.
"We got off to a really good start," McMartin said. "We needed to do that and we made some really good plays."
Central stretched the lead to 28-10 at intermission and kept the foot on the accelerator throughout.
McMartin liked Hoffman's decision-making.
"I thought Hunter did a really good job of knowing where to go with the ball, stepping up, running when he had to," McMartin said. "He's grown each week he's been out there and is showing good composure."
He also liked seeing Glover come off the bench in full stride.
"Keegan did a really good job, he's continuing to improve as well," McMartin said. "He brings a different dimension. He stepped in and made plays and that's important for us as as a team."
Central finished with 319 yards passing and 233 yards on the ground. The Dutch held a 34-27 advantage in first downs. Dubuque completed 26-of-49 passes for 256 yards but was intercepted three times and gained 187 yards rushing for 443 yards total offense.
Linebacker Cael Fiderlein (junior, West Branch) had nine tackles for Central while linebacker Reid Pakkebier (junior, Cedar Rapids, Kennedy HS) had eight. Free safety Reece Miller (senior, Center Point, Center Point-Urbana HS), linebacker Cole Clark (junior, Lisbon) and defensive lineman Sebastian Duarte (sophomore, Spring, Texas, The Woodlands HS) each had seven stops. Duarte was back on defense after filling in on the offensive line for a couple weeks after an injury to center Maximus Reitano (sophomore, Grimes, Dallas Center-Grimes HS), who was back in the lineup Saturday.
Miller and defensive lineman David Bakol (5th-year, Houston, Texas, Alief Elsik HS) also had interceptions, along with Klein.
It all left the huge Central homecoming throng happy.
"We had a great crowd," McMartin said. "We thank the students, the alumni, the community and all the Central fans for their support on a really hot day. I know our team was excited to see such great support in the stands."
Central travels to Dubuque Saturday to meet Loras College in a 1 p.m. game at the Rock Bowl. The Duhawks (2-2 overall, 1-1 conference) were off Saturday.