College Football: Central Readies for Showdown with Wheaton
Central hosts Wheaton of Illinois Saturday in the second round of the NCAA Division III playoffs.
The Dutch advanced after a 61-35 win over Bethel of Minnesota and coach Jeff McMartin’s team hopes the home field is an advantage again.
“You know we get down the road in the playoffs, whoever you play is a great team. We want to use this to our advantage and it allows us to stay a bit more into our routine” McMartin said.
Wheaton ousted Central from the playoffs in 2019 with a 49-13 victory.
Record setting quarterback Blaine Hawkins directs a Central passing game that averages 400 yards per contest.
A Dutch run game that is averaging 208 yards will try to solve a Wheaton defense that yields only 37 yards per game.
“They’re talented upfront and they’re talented at linebacker. You just have to do what you can and be willing to throw the football if you want to move the ball on these guys.”
Former Mount Pleasant standouts Brody Bender, Jack Johnson and Chase Williamson will all be on the sidelines for the Dutch this weekend.
Kickoff from Pella is set for noon, Saturday
College Basketball: Iowa to Host Portland State Tonight
Iowa sophomore Keegan Murray has quickly adapted to his role as the go to guy for the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Through five games Murray is averaging 25 and a half points and more than nine rebounds.
He has posted career highs in each of the last two games and is looking to do that again tonight when they Hawkeye men play host to Portland State.
“Last year I was playing a different role and this year I wanted to be assertive as much as I can. I have been getting more confident by the game and that’s a big thing for us.” Murray said.
Tonight’s game will tip at 6:00 p.m. from Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
This will be Iowa’s last tune-up tilt before taking on Virginia and No. 3 Purdue next week.
National Football League: Bears Escape, Raiders Upset Cowboys, Bills Roll:
The Chicago Bears got a game-winning field goal from Cairo Santos as they escaped Detroit with a 16-14 win yesterday.
Andy Dalton completed 24-of-39 passes for 317 yards and one score.
Detroit stayed winless at 0-10-1.
In Dallas, Derek Carr passed for 373 yards and one touchdown as Las Vegas upset the Cowboys 36-33.
Dallas has lost two straight matchups.
Dak Prescott had 375 yards and two scores in the loss.
In the nightcap, Josh Allen threw for four touchdowns as Buffalo ransacked New Orleans 31-6.
The Saints have dropped to 5-6.
Buffalo improved to 7-4.