GLEN ELLYN, Ill. — The road will become the norm for the No. 10 Iowa Central football team over the next several weeks beginning here Saturday.

The Tritons start a three-game stretch of road dates with three-time defending NJCAA Div. III national champion College of DuPage.

Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. from Bob MacDougall Field and Bjarne Ullsvik Stadium. The contest has been marked as the NJCAA ESPN Game of the Week, meaning it will stream live on ESPN+.

“It is a great opportunity to give junior college athletics more exposure,” ICCC head coach Jesse Montalto said. “It gives us a chance to show the talent our program has while also giving these kids the chance to showcase themselves and what they can do.”

After consecutive losses to No. 1 and defending NJCAA Div. I national champion Hutchinson and second-ranked Iowa Western, the Tritons (3-2 overall) posted a convincing 49-0 triumph over Dodge City last Saturday on Homecoming.

Ty Purdy was 9 of 12 passing for 141 yards and two touchdowns in under a half of work, as 2024 starter Trevon Taylor returned to the field for the first time in a year. Taylor had a passing touchdown and a rushing score.

Ethan Johnson ran for 80 yards with a touchdown while Darrion Gilliam, Kamare Williams, CJ Phillip and Tony Terry all caught TDs. Damarcus Creecy also had a passing touchdown and a rushing score as part of a 486-yard offensive performance.

Purdy and Creecy have combined to throw for 822 yards and 12 touchdowns, as Creecy is second on the team with 202 yards rushing. Johnson leads with 216 while Jacob Kania has 17 receptions for 236 yards and five TDs.

“We are about as healthy as we have been all year,” Montalto said. “In terms of the quarterback position, Ty will start and Creecy had a great week of practice, so we’ll see where that goes. We’ll also continue to work Trevon into the mix.”

On defense, Iowa Central used a late stand to keep Dodge City out of the end zone, allowing just 217 total yards. Taylor Schaefer leads the way with 46 tackles and an interception.

DuPage (5-1) is coming off a 66-22 victory over LEAD Prep after falling to Monroe, 20-17. Justin Bland and Askia Bullie have shared reps at quarterback, with Bland throwing for 674 yards and Bullie 526. They have a combined 11 touchdowns and just two interceptions.

Ethan Middleton, Haiden Janke and AJ Moore lead the ground attack while Ty Carlson is the top receiver with 17 receptions for 288 yards and three touchdowns.

“DuPage is a well-coached team that will be tough,” Montalto said. “They are really good from an Xs and Os standpoint and have a talented quarterback.”