PELLA— Outlasting a hungry Illinois Wesleyan University squad, the Central College football team opened with a 27-18 road victory Saturday.
           
Central (1-0) started fast on offense with a pair of first quarter touchdowns to break out to a 14-0 lead. Keegan Glover (senior, wide receiver, Benton, Ill.) had the season's first score with an eight-yard rushing touchdown and then Cam Schulte (junior, wide receiver, Pella) had a 32-yard receiving touchdown from quarterback Hunter Hoffman.
           
The Titans (0-1) stole momentum back with a kickoff return touchdown to make it 14-7 at the end of the first quarter. A scoreless second quarter made it the same score at halftime.
           
Schulte added a second touchdown reception at the 5:09 mark of the third quarter to extend the Dutch lead to 21-10.  Hoffman finished the contest 22-of-35 passing with two touchdowns, one interception and 293 yards. Schulte had 123 yards on eight grabs.
           
"Cam had some big catches for us today," McMartin said. "Both he and Keegan made big plays for our offense when we needed them. Hunter had a great day as well.
           
The lone offensive touchdown of the day for the Titans was capped off by a successful two-point conversation at the 13:40 mark of the fourth quarter to close the gap to 21-18.
           
Kicker Andrew Mohan (sophomore, Waverly, Waverly-Shell Rock HS) hit two big field goals in the fourth quarter, connecting from 33 and 26 yards to extend the Dutch lead to nin eafter the Titans had pulled within three points.
           
"Those were not easy field goals," McMartin said. "They were at difficult angles and into the wind. We had good protection on those as well."
           
Mohan's second field goal was set up by a Brody Morrison (junior, Earlham) interception near midfield.
           
"I was happy to see Brody get an interception," McMartin said. "We made big plays on defense, special teams and offense in the fourth quarter."
           
Illinois Wesleyan had just 212 total offensive yards and only 57 on the ground. Central piled up 391 yards and 98 rushing. Jase Grunder (junior, Tampico, Ill., Prophetstown HS) was Central's leading rusher with 66 yards on 22 carries. Linebacker Cole Clark (fifth year, Lisbon) was Central's leading tackler with eight. Defensive lineman Ethan Thomas (senior, Ankeny) added 2.0 tackles for loss.         
           
"Every coach hopes for a game where you can watch your team battle for a win," McMartin said. "All of our mistakes are fixable problems.
           
Central will face Randolph-Macon College (Va.) for the first time as the Yellow Jackets make the long trip west next Saturday at 1 p.m.