BELOIT, Wis. – A potent burst of offense in the first half was all the University of Chicago football team would end up needing in a 48-0 shutout victory over Beloit College on Saturday.

The Maroons (2-2 record) and the Buccaneers (0-4) made it through a regular first half until lightning brought the contest to a standstill at halftime. Extensive lightning delays continued to push the game later into the afternoon. The coaches and officials, after consultation with the Midwest Conference office, decided to shorten the second half to two one-minute quarters. Both teams kneeled to run out the clock in the second half.

The first half was all UChicago in every phase. The visitors outgained Beloit 441-65 in total yards, averaging 10.8 yards per play compared to 1.9 yards per play for the hosts. The passing game was on point, as two Maroon quarterbacks completed 87 percent of their passes for 367 yards and four touchdowns. Rushing-wise, the Maroons put up 74 yards (4.1 yards per run) compared to 22 for Beloit (0.8 yards per run).

On the fourth offensive play from scrimmage, UChicago gave itself a 6-0 lead thanks to junior running back Mike Martinson's five-yard touchdown run. The play was set up by a 39-yard reception by sophomore Matt Quaglia and a 17-yard scamper by Martinson.

On the very next drive, senior quarterback Marco Cobian hooked up with sophomore wide receiver Elliott Grays for a 43-yard touchdown. The script repeated itself on the next three Maroon possessions, as the visitors kept up the barrage to surge ahead 34-0 by the end of the first quarter. Scoring plays came courtesy of Martinson (10-yard run), junior running back Riley Trettel (two-yard run) and senior wide receiver Dante Nepa (18-yard reception).

Two sacks early in the second quarter forced UChicago's first and only punt of the day. But the Maroons came right back with a Cobian-to-Nepa 36-yard touchdown, followed by sophomore quarterback Philip Martini's 26-yard touchdown to junior wide receiver Will Seelman. That 48-0 halftime lead ended up the final score.

Cobian put together his best game ever as a Maroon. The senior signal caller completed 17 of 19 passes for 321 yards and reached the end zone three times. Martini went 3-for-4 in relief with 46 yards and one touchdown. Nepa was the most frequent target with four catches for 73 yards and two scores. Grays hauled in three passes for 62 yards and a touchdown. Nine other receivers also recorded catches in the game.

Martinson paced the run game with 42 yards (8.4 yards per carry) and two touchdowns. Trettel crossed the plane once to go with his 24 yards.

Senior linebacker Henry Winebrake totaled six tackles in the shutout effort. Tackles for loss were credited to Winebrake, junior cornerback Ryan Montgomery, sophomore defensive tackle Davis Govrik, senior defensive end Ben Christensen and junior linebacker Graham Repp.

UChicago's defense has now blanked four of its past 11 opponents. The Maroons have won their last three meetings with the Buccaneers by a combined score of 166-12.

NEXT GAME:

• Saturday, Oct. 12 @ 2:00 PM – Knox College at UChicago