GLEN ELLYN, Ill. - For the second straight week, the Iowa Central football team will face a ranked foe on the road.

The ninth-ranked (NJCAA Div. I) Tritons meet No. 1 (NJCAA Div. III) College of DuPage here for a 1 p.m. kickoff on Saturday. 

In the season opener, Iowa Central (1-0 overall) downed Lackawanna at a neutral site field in Indiana. Byron Jarrett led three fourth quarter scoring drives to complete the comeback.

"Our kids just stuck together," Iowa Central head coach Jesse Montalto said. "We missed some chances early in the game that could have allowed us to get control. But we didn't hang our heads and we just kept battling.

"Byron did a great job of responding to the situation. He came out firing and Desna (Washington) and the rest of the receivers made some big plays."

Jarrett was 17-for-25 for 311 yards with three passing TDs and a rushing score. Washington caught seven passes for 127 yards and two scores, while Cal Weidemann had the other touchdown, catching five passes for 53 yards. 

While Jarrett and Washington are part of a large returning group from this past spring when the Tritons won a third consecutive Graphic Edge Bowl, they are still piecing together the other parts.

"We had a lot of kids getting their first college experience," Montalto said. "As the game progressed, you could see them getting more comfortable on the field and familiar with each other."

On defense, Major Williams and Deante Nelson each picked off passes with Antoineo Harris recording a sack. Bilhal Kone had 12 tackles and CJ Christian eight with a fumble recovery. 

"We just have to continue improving and playing as a team," Montalto said. "I've told them they might not be the biggest or the fastest group, but they are one of the better ones I've had at working together."

DuPage, a familiar opponent on the schedule for Iowa Central over the past few years, is part of the newly-formed Div. III for junior college football. They will compete for their own national title at the end of the season. 

"We know they are going to be a good, physical team," Montalto said. "They have some skill players that can really hurt you and a defense that will play fast."

The Chaparrals topped Ellsworth in Week 1, 17-6. Darrell Smith ran for 78 yards as the defense forced four turnovers.

-By Dana Becker