APPLETON, Wis. – The University of Chicago football team controlled all aspects of Saturday's road game in a 60-0 rout of Lawrence University.

The Maroons improved to 7-2 overall (6-2 in the Midwest Conference) and secured their second-consecutive shutout. The Vikings fell to 0-9 (0-8 MWC).

UChicago's dominance was reflected in the final yardage stats. The visitors piled up 459 yards of total offense, which included 315 rushing and 144 passing. On the other side of the ball, Lawrence was held to a mere 61 yards of offense for 1.5 yards per play (22 passing, 39 rushing).

Third down was particularly one-sided. UChicago converted 9 of 17 on third down compared to Lawrence's 0-for-10. The host Vikings picked up only three first downs on the day.

UChicago took over from the first offensive play and never let go. Running back Nicholas D'Ambrose carried the ball six times on the opening drive and finished it off with a 22-yard scamper into the end zone. On Lawrence's first possession, nickelback Stirling Sakashita picked off a long pass on third down to give the ball right back to the Maroons.

Linebacker Aidan Cappellino also made his presence felt with a forced fumble two drives later that was picked up by fellow linebacker William Skowronski. Two plays later, quarterback Jack Ruff hooked up a long pass with wide receiver Luke Degner for a 47-yard touchdown to make it 14-0.

The game kept going UChicago's way for the rest of the afternoon. D'Ambrose and quarterback Wesley Gow both scored rushing touchdowns in the second quarter that traversed 26 yards and 17 yards, respectively. Then right before halftime, wide receiver Michael Janis broke off a 61-yard punt return for a touchdown to put his team ahead 36-0 at the break.

The Maroons kept taking advantage of short fields in the second half, with scoring drives of 54, 35, 51 and seven yards. The next three touchdowns came on the ground via the running back position. D'Ambrose plunged his way in from one yard out early in the third quarter. Fellow seniors Greg Asare (nine yards) and Jake Low (five yards) also reached the end zone.

Kicker Will Goodman provided the final exclamation point with a 30-yard field goal in the fourth quarter.

D'Ambrose was the workhorse once again with 21 carries for 147 yards and three touchdowns. Marcelo Alanis (51 yards), Low (44 yards) and Asare (39 yards) also saw significant action. Gow completed 10 of 11 passes for 90 yards while adding 32 rushing yards as well. Ruff went 2-for-7 for 54 passing yards and a touchdown. Degner made three catches for 84 yards and a touchdown. Janis returned four punts for 74 yards.

On the defensive side, Skowronski collected six tackles, one tackle for loss and two fumble recoveries. Cappellino made six tackles, one sack and forced two fumbles. Linebacker Leo Speidel posted two tackles, one sack and one forced fumble.

NEXT GAME:

• Saturday, Nov. 12 @ 12:00 PM – Lake Forest College at UChicago