Wisconsin-Whitewater remained perfect with a win against Franklin.
No. 1 UW-Whitewater erupts against Franklin 45-13
FRANKLIN, Ind. -- The top-ranked University of Wisconsin-Whitewater football team scored 35 unanswered points and forced two second-half turnovers Saturday en route to a 45-13 victory against Franklin in a non-conference affair at Faught Stadium.
"It's a good road win," coach Lance Leipold said. "You have to credit [Franklin coach] Mike Leonard and his team. As we've said all along, they're a well-coached football team. I'm awfully proud of the way we played in the second half."
Quarterback Matt Behrendt and wide receiver Jake Kumerow connected for three touchdowns to lead the Warhawks' offense. Behrendt completed 19-of-25 passes for 224 yards and four touchdowns. Kumerow finished with nine receptions for 128 yards and tied a career high with three scores.
No. 6 North Central (Ill.) dominates St. Norbert in 51-17 victory
DE PERE, Wis. -- Its opposition was quick out of the gate, but the North Central College football team kept its composure, pulled even and dominated down the stretch in its 2014 season opener at St. Norbert College on Saturday. The Cardinals overwhelmed the Green Knights for a 51-17 victory at Donald J. Schneider Stadium.
The first regular-season meeting between the two teams resulted in the most decisive season-opening win for the sixth-ranked Cardinals since a 41-7 victory against Cornell College in 2010. North Central spotted the hosts a 17-6 lead at the game's outset, but closed the first half with 21 straight points and pitched a 24-0 shutout after halftime.
No. 7 Bethel (Minn.) upset by No. 15 Wartburg 31-14
WAVERLY, Iowa -- After 11 consecutive regular season victories and a MIAC Championship in 2013, the No. seventh-ranked Bethel University football team came into Saturday's contest against the No. 15 Wartburg with high expectations. Unfortunately for the Royals, though, untimely penalties and inopportune mistakes dashed the hopes of another 10-0 regular season and Bethel's fifth straight win over Wartburg since 2010.
In a rematch of the 2013 NCAA Division III second round playoff game, the Royals looked like they were off to a great start—leading 7-3 at the midway point. The Knights put last year's 24-31 postseason loss one year ago in the rear view mirror, though, outscoring Bethel 28-7 in the second half.
No. 8 UW-Platteville edges Dubuque 26-21
PLATTEVILLE, Wis. -- Senior Andy Puccini carried the eighth-ranked University of Wisconsin-Platteville football team past Dubuque, 26-21, on Saturday in Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium.
Puccini totaled 202 rushing yards and 41 yards receiving. He averaged 6.7 yards on 30 carries and topped off his performance with a 30-yard touchdown reception.
Bryce Corrigan completed 23 of 36 passes for 251 yards and two touchdowns. Trevor Whitehead and Mitch Munda each caught eight passes. Whitehead tallied 60 yards and a touchdown, while Munda recorded a team-high 71 yards.
