North Central (Ill.) football headlines
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Stagg Bowl ratings up 26%
January 16, 2026The results are in, and viewership for the Stagg Bowl was up significantly over last year's game and the two previous contests. -
Revisit game day live from Canton!
January 04, 2026From the great pregame coverage of the Stagg Bowl from Small School Saturday to our Division III-expert play-by-play of a great game, it was a great day to stream Division III football. Revisit it all on D3football.com.
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Where might you find 92?
January 03, 2026The River Falls offense faces a big challenge: Try to contain North Central defensive tackle J.P. Sullivan. That, of course, is easier said than done. Joe Sager has more in a Stagg Bowl feature.
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North Central makes sixth straight Stagg
December 20, 2025North Central scored three touchdowns on big plays in the first half, including a pick-six by defensive end Eli Renick, and the Cardinals rolled into the Division III football national championship game for the sixth consecutive season, defeating John Carroll 41-21.
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Can't keep up with Cortez Jones
December 18, 2025Cortez Jones started his career off as an offensive lineman for North Central, then moved to the defensive line and started there his entire sophomore year. But this year, when the Cardinals had jobs open up, Jones answered the call and moved back over, where he has shone. Greg Thomas has more in a Road to Canton feature.
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Jeff Thorne's cancer battle ends
December 10, 2025Former North Central coach Jeff Thorne, who led the Cardinals to their first Division III football national championship, died on Tuesday night at the age of 53 after a 10-month battle with stomach cancer.
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Cardinals hold off UW-La Crosse in third round, 35-27
December 06, 2025Advancing to the NCAA Division III quarterfinals for the sixth straight season, North Central used a 21-point second quarter, thanks to a Rahmareon Roby pick-six with 32 seconds left in the half, to beat the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, 35-27, on Saturday inside Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium.
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Gagliardi Trophy semifinalists announced
December 05, 2025Dozens of players were nominated but 15 make it to the semifinal stage. Who are they? Check out the players, then cast your fan ballot for the top all-around student-athlete in Division III football.
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How do you follow greatness?
September 18, 2025Division III's top programs remain at the top by making reloading look simple. But following Luke Lehnen at quarterback at North Central means following, simply, one of the all-time greats. Greg Thomas talks to both the coach and the quarterbacks for the Cardinals in Around the Nation.
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North Central no longer dreaming
January 11, 2025North Central won the national title in a dream season in 2019. But now, three championships in five seasons is dynasty-level stuff — a feat only accomplished by three previous programs whose names you should all know. Greg Thomas has more on the national champs.
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North Central wins third title
January 05, 2025The Cardinals of North Central put up 20 points in the fourth quarter and ran out the clock on Mount Union, defeating the Purple Raiders 41-25 in Stagg Bowl LI to win their third title in five seasons.
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Lehnen repeats as Gagliardi Trophy winner
January 03, 2025Division III football's top individual award goes, for the second consecutive season, to North Central quarterback Luke Lehnen. It's just the second time in the history of the award that there has been a repeat winner.
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North Central's seniors all have a job to do
January 02, 2025Even though not all of North Central's 38 seniors might see playing time in Stagg Bowl LI, and perhaps some might not even make the 58-person roster, they have all had a role in getting the team to this point. Greg Thomas digs into their job in a Road to the Stagg Bowl feature.
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North Central Stagg Bowl Preview
January 02, 2025Set to take the biggest national stage ever afforded a Division III championship, the Cardinals head into a fifth straight Stagg Bowl intent on raising their third title trophy.
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Stagg Bowl week is here!
January 01, 2025Stagg Bowl week is here! North Central College and the University of Mount Union are headed to Houston, Texas, this week, for the 51st Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl, the championship game of Division III football. Here's what you need to know, including to dress warmly for the game!
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North Central absolutely rolls into Stagg
December 21, 2024Susquehanna's postseason run came to a shuddering halt as North Central, the No. 1 team in the country executed in all phases of the game en route to a big win in the national semifinals.
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Semifinal Smash Sends North Central Back to Stagg Bowl
December 21, 2024Rising to the occasion like few others in the history of its sport, the North Central College football team delivered one of the most decisive victories in the history of the NCAA Division III Football Championship Saturday at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium. The Cardinals routed Susquehanna University (Pennsylvania), 66-0, to advance to the national championship game for the fifth consecutive season.
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Five named Gagliardi finalists
December 19, 2024Out of 18 semifinalists, we whittled it down to five on Thursday: four quarterbacks and a linebacker. One of these five will win the award, Division III football's top honor.
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North Central receivers inherit big legacy
December 19, 2024No, DeAngelo Hardy and Andrew Kamienski have graduated and moved on, but the current corps of North Central receivers is making its own path to success for the Cardinals. Greg Thomas has more in a Road to the Stagg Bowl feature.
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North Central National Semifinal Preview
December 18, 2024For just the second time, the national semifinals come to Naperville, as the Cardinals seek to take the final step in achieving a fifth straight trip to the Stagg Bowl.
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North Central Defense Stands Tall in Defeat of Springfield
December 14, 2024In a battle of two of the nation's most potent rushing offenses, the North Central College football team took the fight to Springfield College from the opening kickoff Saturday, keeping the Pride out of the end zone throughout a 27-3 victory at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium.
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North Central National Quarterfinal Preview: Springfield
December 11, 2024The Cardinals face a second straight run-heavy opponent as they look to reserve a spot in the national semifinals for the fifth consecutive season.
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North Central Pulls Away from Hope for Third-Round Win
December 07, 2024Wearing down a well-prepared opponent and delivering some of its biggest plays in crunch time, the North Central College football team advanced to its fifth straight NCAA Division III national quarterfinal Saturday with a 41-21 victory over Hope College (Michigan) at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium.
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North Central 3rd Round Preview: Hope
December 04, 2024The Cardinals take on a new opponent for the second straight week as they face a Hope squad that has already reached new heights within its program this season.
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Big First Quarter Sparks North Central Win
November 30, 2024Showing up ready to perform with a 21-point first-quarter, the North Central College football team seized control of Saturday's NCAA Division III Second-Round game against Whitworth University in the earliest of stages.
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North Central 2nd Round Preview: Whitworth
November 26, 2024The Cardinals open their 16th postseason appearance in the second round as the tournament field expands to 40 teams this season. North Central welcomes a new opponent to Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium as it seeks an 11th straight playoff victory at home.
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North Central Overpowers Illinois Wesleyan for Tenth Win
November 16, 2024On an emotional day at Illinois Wesleyan University's Tucci Stadium, the North Central College football team turned away a spirited effort by the Titans and used its strength to seal up a 42-20 victory in its regular-season finale Saturday.
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North Central Week 10 Preview: Illinois Wesleyan
November 13, 2024The Cardinals seek a seventh straight win in Bloomington as they look to close out their fourth straight unbeaten regular season and the eighth in the program’s history.
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North Central Claims CCIW Trophy on Senior Day
November 09, 2024Sending off its senior class with a performance befitting its contributions to the program, the North Central College football team eviscerated Elmhurst University, 70-7, Saturday at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium to clinch a fourth straight College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Championship.
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North Central Week 9 Preview: Elmhurst
November 08, 2024The Cardinals’ senior class looks to extend its perfect record in conference play and secure at least a share of its fourth straight CCIW title as the team seeks a 25th consecutive win over the Bluejays.
