Reivers Rule The C(B), Down Tritons In Titanic Fashion

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA

Iowa Western struck early and often on Saturday at Titan Stadium, overwhelming Iowa Central 48–17 to keep the Presidents' Cup in Council Bluffs and stake a claim to another conference title. The Reivers improved to 3–1 on the season and 18–2 all-time against the Tritons.

Running back Jamari Ford set the tone on the opening drive with an 18-yard touchdown run, and moments later the defense extended the lead as defensive back Jerome Baker intercepted a pass and raced 35 yards for a touchdown. The 'pick-six' was the Reivers' first since Josh Pierre-Louis returned an interception against the Tritons in 2023. Iowa Central's Anderson Trejo put the Tritons on the board with a 37-yard field goal, but the Reivers controlled the first quarter, 14–3.

The second quarter was an offensive blitz that put the game out of reach for Iowa Central. Sophomore Quarterback Malachi Marshall connected with Jaivyn Moore on a 21-yard touchdown strike, the receiver's fourth straight game with a score. Marshall tossed his second scoring pass of the game when he hit Ford on a short 2-yard scoring pass. D'Angelo Barkue added a 2-yard touchdown run, while Marshall finished another march with a 2-yard keeper. The Tritons finally answered before halftime when Ty Purdy found Dalen Huston for a 16-yard touchdown, but Iowa Western still carried a commanding 41–10 advantage into the break.

Marshall and Moore hooked up again in the third quarter, this time on a 34-yard touchdown, Moore's second of the day and fifth of the season. Iowa Central closed the scoring in the final minutes with a 6-yard touchdown pass from Damarcus Creecy to Sejhe Jackson, but the Presidents' Cup was long secured.

Marshall finished 10-of-18 passing for 113 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception, while also rushing for a score. Moore led all receivers with three catches for 63 yards and two touchdowns, and Ford scored twice — once rushing and once receiving — while gaining 36 yards on the ground. Barkue added 19 rushing yards and a short touchdown, while a banged up Daniel Swinney paced the ground attack with 52 yards on 15 carries. In total, Iowa Western piled up 198 rushing yards and 318 yards of offense as the defense handed them a short field much of the game.

Defensively, Baker's interception return set the tone, and the Reivers collected three sacks and two interceptions on the day. Andy Burburija led the front with a sack, while BJ Campbell, Jeremy Lewis, De'Veion McLilley-Bulo, and Jaxon Cherry combined for tackles for loss. Tim Roberson and Baker each had interceptions, with Baker adding seven total tackles. Iowa Central was held to just 134 yards rushing and 156 through the air, with only five conversions on 16 third-down tries.

New starting kicker Gus Bashore converted six extra points, with the other try not being attempted on a bad snap.

The Reivers' packed Titan Stadium for their lone home game of September AND October as Coach Strohmeier's squad now plays three straight away from home before returning to Council Bluffs on November 1st against Garden City.

Next up is a trip to Coffeyville, Kansas where Iowa Western will match-up with the Red Ravens of Coffeyville. CCC has notched back to back victories since opening the season with a loss to Cisco College. The Red Ravens beat Garden City by two in a road win and survived a furious rally from Butler to win Saturday at home.

All the action can be heard, free of charge, on the Reiver Sports Network. If the RSN is unable to show the game, the 'Booth Cam' will be available from inside the Papa John's Broadcast Booth with Jake Ryan, Russ Nelsen, Josh Odson and Tony Boone on the call. The game can also be found on Iowa Western's 100,000-watt FM radio station, 89.7 The River.  The RSN Countdown to Kickoff begins at 12:30 PM from Memorial Stadium with kickoff set for 1:00 PM.

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