Looking to begin the comeback trail after last week’s disappointing loss at Coe, the Central College football team traveled to Mount Vernon yesterday, and handed Cornell College a resounding 52-0 defeat.  While the ninth-ranked Dutch were certainly favored to defeat the winless Rams, it was the way the game unfolded that came as a surprise to fans.  

Through the first half, Central’s lead was just 10-0, and the first touchdown for the Dutch did not come until 30 seconds before halftime.  Central’s offense struggled to get started, totaling just 113 yards through the first two quarters.

The second half, though, looked like an entirely different game.  With Zach Bandow rotating series with Nate Snead at quarterback, the Dutch exploded for six scores – four of which came in the fourth quarter.  Central finished the game with 451 total yards of offense, while holding Cornell to only 37 yards of offense in the second half, as the Rams finished with 132 yards of offense on 52 plays.  Providing a spark on the Central defense was linebacker Seth Carson, who had five tackles, forced one fumble and also recovered another fumble.  Offensive statistics for the Dutch were spread amongst a number of players, led by Bandow, who was a very efficient 6-for-8 passing for 72 yards and two touchdowns.

The Central football team is now 4-1 overall and 2-1 in the Iowa Conference, and will return to Pella this week to face Simpson for Homecoming.