IOWA FALLS, IOWA -- Iowa Central returned the opening kickoff 74 yards for a touchdown and didn't let up in a 58-6 defeat of Ellsworth in a matchup between two longtime conference rivals on Saturday.

The visiting No. 9 ranked Tritons ran away to a 34-0 halftime lead and tacked on another 24 second-half points.  The Panthers' lone score came on a Ja'Ron Early touchdown run in the 3rd quarter.

On offense, the Panthers (1-3) were able to put together some sustained drives, racking up 15 first downs and 232 yards of total offense.  They had some success through the air, completing 27-of-51 passes with all but one of the attempts by starting QB Kevin Lukasiewicz.  He threw for 167 yards with Jagves Garnett hauling in 12 catches for 125 yards.  Andrew Behm caught nine passes for 53 yards, Tauivi Olamaleva grabbed five for 29 yards and Jermaine Thurmond gained seven yards on his only reception.

The running game for ECC was held pretty much in check, netting 44 yards on 24 tries.  Early went for 70 yards on 14 carries with a long run of 28 yards.

The leading tackler for the Panthers was Nick Breon with eight stops, followed by Josaphat Tamatekou with six.

Ellsworth is idle until hosting Snow (Utah) College on May 1.