Box Score NAPERVILLE, Ill. - The Elmhurst football team suffered its first loss of the 2012 season after dropping its CCIW opener 44-10 at North Central College.

After both teams settled for field goals on their first possessions, North Central (3-1, 1-0 CCIW) took control of the contest, scoring 38 straight points to put the game out of reach.

Elmhurst's (3-1, 0-1 CCIW) normally high-powered offense and ground attack were held in check by North Central's defense. The Bluejays amassed only 198 yards of total offense, including just 102 on the ground. Elmhurst's defense couldn't slow the Cardinals, as North Central racked up 554 yards of total offense, rushing for 304 and passing for 250.

North Central jumped on the scoreboard first, driving 59 yards and settling for a 27-yard Nick Dace field goal. Elmhurst answered right back, moving 37 yards in eight plays and tying the score on a David Tomis field goal.

After both teams punted, the Cardinals used a quick-strike offense, moving 70 yards in just four plays to take a 10-3 lead on an 18-yard NIck Kukuc touchdown run.

The Cardinals made it 17-3 early in the second when Jordan Tassio scored on a 50-yard touchdown run. North Central used a 12-play, 65-yard scoring drive near the end of the half to take a 24-3 lead at the half.

North Central had totaled 309 yards in the opening half while holding Elmhurst to only 91. The Bluejays failed to convert on third down (0-for-6) in the game's first 30 minutes.

Elmhurst mounted its best drive of the game at the start of the third quarter, driving to the North Central 14-yard line on 13 plays. Trailing by three touchdowns and facing a fourth-and-two, the Bluejays went for the first down but were stopped by the Cardinals.

After not turning the ball over for the first three games, the Bluejays turned the ball over on their next three possessions, resulting in 17 points for the Cardinals.

Elmhurst scored its only touchdown of the game in the fourth quarter when Alvin Chackungal blocked a North Central punt and Shane Meyer recovered the ball in the end zone.

North Central added a field goal in the fourth quarter to make the final score 44-10.

Elmhurst finished the contest converting just 2-of-13 third-down chances while the Cardinals were 7-of-14 when facing third down.

Scottie Williams led Elmhurst on the ground, carrying 20 times for 67 yards. Joe Furco finished 9-of-24 for 95 yards becoming Elmhurst's all-time leader in passing yardage with 6.474 yards. Furco surpassed Chris Kudyba's (2004-08) mark of 6,428 yards.

Kukuc carried 14 times for 116 yards and two touchdowns while Tassio rushed for 57 yards and a score. Spencer Stanek completed 13-of-22 passes for 250 yards and two scores.

Wayne Tuckson led the Bluejays' defense with 10 tackles, including two tackles for loss. Stephen Ritter added seven tackles and broke up two passes for the Bluejays.

Elmhurst will look to get back on track next Saturday when the Bluejays host Augustana College at Langhorst Field.