Thunder Football Defeats Augustana 42-3 to open conference play

Wheaton, Ill. – In the home opener at McCully Stadium, the 18th-ranked Wheaton Thunder football team defeated the Augustana Vikings by a score of 42-3 to open conference play. The Thunder's first victory brings their record to an even 1-1 on the year. Wheaton has won every home opener under Head Coach Jesse Scott and this day was no different.

In a nearly flawless contest on both sides of the ball for the home team, they finished with 154 yards on the ground and 353 yards in the air, totaling 507 yards of total offense. The Wheaton defense held the Vikings to three points while notching four sacks and an interception.

Transfer quarterback Mark Forcucci finished with 287 yards, three passing touchdowns, and a rushing touchdown. Senior captain Xaviere Jones took advantage of his opportunity, throwing for 66 yards and a touchdown pass. The combination of Giovanni Weeks and Deuce Scott added 84 and 64 yards rushing, respectively. Ben Bonga (PICTURED LEFT) led Wheaton in receiving. The All-CCIW receiver accounted for 94 receiving yards and a touchdown on six catches.

Luca Torti led the defense with nine total tackles, while Johnny Eller, Colin Moore, and Peter Johanik added seven each. Isaac Parrish was dominant in the opponent's backfield, sacking the quarterback 2 ½ times on top of his 2 ½ tackles-for-loss (TFL). Sophomore Colin Moore got his first career interception late in the game to add an exclamation point to the Thunder victory.

Augustana received the kick to start the game, a drive that resulted in a punt as did their first seven drives of the game. Wheaton wasted no time moving down the field. A big pass in the middle of the field from Forcucci to Breck Peacock resulted in a 40-yard reception setting up a Forcucci rushing touchdown six plays later. The Thunder would not relent, adding a touchdown on their ensuing drive on a beautiful 22-yard pass by Forcucci to All-Conference receiver Seth Kortenhoeven.

Wheaton was up 14-0 when the two teams traded punts. With 7:32 left in the second quarter, Wheaton marched down the field. The attack through the air continued to be successful as their 79-yard drive was capped off with a five-yard touchdown to Senior Ben Juska. A successful PAT by Mateo Jesch put the 'Orange and Blue' up 21-0.

Returner Kortenhoeven impressed the crowd of more than 4000 people with an electric 85-yard punt return as the end of the half neared, but it was taken off the board after a holding penalty. The hosts held the lead of 21-0 into halftime.

The deep running back room took over as the game returned from the break. Giovanni Weeks rushed for 31 yards to take the Thunder into Viking territory. Scott showed off his speed with a 39-yard run down the visiting sideline for his first career score. Sticking with the theme of dynamic duos, defensive ends Parrish and Johanik both combined for consecutive sacks on Augustana's quarterback Cole Bhardwaj on the next possession, keeping the Thunder rolling.

A couple of possessions later, Bonga got in on the action. He had three catches on the drive including a 46-yard catch-and-run in which he put an incredible juke move on the defender and weaved his way to the endzone. The energizing score added to the sizable lead and the score was set at 35-0.

Augustana wouldn't quit and drove the ball 72 yards to the Wheaton three-yard line. However, pressure by Johanik forced an incompletion in the endzone and the Thunder took over on downs. A quick three-and-out gave the ball back to the visitors who prevented the shutout on a 34-yard kick from Joren Clem.

Taking over at quarterback, Jones led the offense on a 79-yard scoring drive capped off by a beautiful leading pass to Andrew Partyka for the 17-yard score in the front of the end zone. Moore would pick off Augustana the following drive to cement the Thunder victory 42-3.

Wheaton(1-1) looks to keep the momentum rolling as they travel to Waukesha next week to face Carroll University (1-1) for a 1:00 p.m. kickoff.