Iowa Central to Face Former MFC Foe NDSCS in Game One Bowl

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The 2024 Game One Bowl matchup is set and will feature the Iowa Central Tritons (5-6, 1-1) against the No. 3 (DIII) North Dakota State College of Science Wildcats (9-1, 6-0) on Sunday, Dec. 8, at the UNI Dome in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

The two teams will face off on the University of Northern Iowa's campus for the first time in the bowl's history, adding a fresh chapter to its 46-year legacy. North Dakota has appeared in the Game One Bowl seven times, holding a 5-2 record overall. Iowa Central, with 28 appearances, holds an 19-9 record in Game One Bowl history.

In the Wildcats' last appearance at the Bowl in 2009, they were defeated by Joliet (Ill.) 28-17. 

For Iowa Central, their 2024 bid marks their fifth-straight appearance in the event dating back to 2018. The Tritons are on a roll having won their last 13 Game One Bowls, including a 44-9 victory over #5 Snow (Utah) last season.

This will be the team's first meeting since Nov. 9, 2013 where Iowa Central won 19-15. NDSCS was once a member of the Midwest Football Conference in the West Division with the three ICCAC teams of today (Ellsworth, Iowa Central & Iowa Western). The league disbanded after the 2013 season.

Iowa Central battled their way through a challenging 2024 season to finish 5-6. The Tritons started the year with a 1-4 record. All four of those losses came by seven points or less, including two one-point losses to No. 11 Highland (Kan.) and No. 14 Dodge City (Kan.). However, the Tritons battled through their early struggles and won four out of six games to finish the season. The Tritons rebounded in style that included a win over Garden City (Kan.) and NJCAA Division III No. 1, DuPage (Ill.).

Iowa Central's offense is powered by their standout tailback Cyncir Bowers. The freshman leads the team in rushing (917 yards) and receiving (348 yards) and has 13 touchdowns on the season.

At quarterback, the Tritons have used a number of signal callers this season. Tyler Smith has thrown for 971 yards and nine touchdowns, and Ty Purdy has thrown for 659 yards and nine touchdowns as well. 

Austin Ayobamidele, the team's top wideout, earned All-Region honors for his 401 yards and two touchdowns receiving. The Tritons' tight end Bryce Anderson leads the team with five receiving touchdowns.

Defensively, Iowa Central is led by the ICCAC Defensive Player of the Year Jawarren Corbin who stopped the run with 11 tackles for loss and baited opposing QBs in the passing game with three interceptions. Joining Corbin is fellow linebacker Ishmael Kante who leads the Tritons defense in total tackles with 71.

NDSCS had an outstanding 2024 season, earning a 9-1 record and coming in at No. 3 in the NJCAA; they fell just short of being invited to the Division III National Championship game. The Wildcats won the Minnesota College Athletic Conference championship with a perfect 6-0 conference record. Their only loss came against No. 1 DuPage.

Offensively, NDSCS boasts the best rushing offense in Division III at 209 yards per game. They have five ball carriers with over 200 yards this season. Michael Douglas Jr. leads the group with 544 yards and six TDs. Ishmael Emmanuel-Holloway is next up with 375 yards and also has six scores. NDSCS totaled 2091 rushing yards this season in 10 games.

The Wildcats average 31.0 points per game and are led by quarterback Jacob Mattick, who has thrown for 891 yards and 12 touchdowns. Mattick's favorite target, Trevion Carothers, has emerged as the Wildcats top wideout this season with 499 yards and seven touchdowns.

Defensively, the Wildcats have a dominating defensive lineman Mason Pagel; he had 19.5 tackles for loss, six sacks and forced two fumbles. Cornerback Malique Jackson leads the team in takeaways with seven interceptions in just ten games.

The 2024 Game One Bowl will be the 46th edition of the event, with its first ever game being played back in 1978.

Game time is 12:00 p.m. Doors open to the public at 10:30 a.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students.

For more information on the 2024 Game One Bowl visit www.gameonebowl.com.