Ellsworth Community College lost 52-0 on the road at Iowa Western Community College on Saturday.
The Reivers scored midway through the first quarter after ECC started the game with a good drive. The Panthers moved down the field, connecting on two of their six first downs of the game. The first on a three yard run by Marice Whitlock and the second a six yard rush by AJ Payne.
On fourth and 10 from IWCC's 26, ECC was hit for a loss of 10 yards – giving the Reivers the ball on their own 36. In two minutes, they drove 64 yards down the field to take the lead.
It was just a 14-0 contest just two minutes before halftime. However, IWCC scored on a 14 yard run and a 12 yard pass from Cam Thomas (he had three touchdowns on the day) to quickly lead 28-0 at the break.
Things continued to go downhill for the visitors in the second as IWCC tacked on another touchdown and a field goal. With 1:07 left in the third quarter, ECC was on their own 26 yard line. Payne fumbled the rock in the back field and it was picked up by Fitzroy Gardner who scored from 19 yards out and put an exclamation point on the quarter, leading 45-0.
The hosts were able to tack on one more rushing score to hand ECC its fifth loss of the season.
The Panthers never really got much traction on the offensive front. They had just six first downs in the contest, were sacked five times, had three fumbles and an interception. Payne was just 1 of 5 passing for -5 yards. Whitlock led on the ground with 46 total yards on nine carries.
For more on the game, visit timescitizen.com http://www.timescitizen.com/sports/panther-offensive-struggles-continue-fall/article_dd6d7ce4-e915-11e9-bb99-9fa9f0fccec6.html