Photo courtesy of Iowa Central Athletics: The Iowa Central football program celebrates its Game One Bowl victory on Sunday at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls.

CEDAR FALLS — The UNI-Dome continues to serve as a second home to the Iowa Central football program.

For the 14th straight time, the Tritons secured a victory here in a postseason contest, blasting third-ranked (NJCAA Div. III) North Dakota State College of Science in the Game One Bowl on Sunday, 49-6.

Iowa Central’s last loss in a bowl game came 20 full years ago — in 2004 — and head coach Jesse Montalto is still perfect in the 11 postseason appearances between stints at Ellsworth and leading the Tritons. Montalto won four bowl games with the Panthers and is now 7-0 at Iowa Central.

Redshirt freshman Ty Purdy had two passing scores in the opening minutes of the game, hitting Akili Mattox and Dalen Huston for scores. Purdy was 5-for-6 for 99 yards in the first 15 minutes, as Cyncir Bowers — the top all-purpose back in the NJCAA in terms of yardage, had a 41-yard TD to make it 21-0.

“We thought we might have that kind of start,” Montalto said. “The kids were excited to practice last week — even in the freezing temperatures.

“We really had a great few days of work leading up to the game.”

Bowers, who had 78 yards rushing and 15 yards receiving in the first quarter alone, finished with 161 yards from scrimmage. The Iowa Central standout was named the game’s offensive MVP.

Purdy had a third passing TD before the half, when he hit Austin Ayobamidele. Dallas Sauser later found Bryce Anderson for another score.

Ethan Schultz had a rushing touchdown, helping Iowa Central build a commanding 42-0 advantage by halftime.

“I think the sour taste from the season-ending loss to Butler really motivated this group to come out and prove what they could do,” Montalto said. “We were a handful of plays away from being in the (NJCAA) playoffs, so for this group, it was about showing that they are that kind of team that can perform at a high level.”

Sauser finished his day 10 of 13 for 136 with two TDs. Purdy was 7 of 9 for 103 with a pair of touchdowns. Trevon Taylor came on and threw for 51 yards as well.

Anthony Hall added 53 yards rushing, Schultz had 41 and Traevon White 40. Huston had 70 yards receiving, Ayobamidele tallied 61, and Dominck Brown had four receptions.

Former Humboldt prep Nolan Gustafson connected on all seven of his extra-point attempts, and Sione Fifita’s lone punt went for 52 yards. Nolan Dalton chipped in an interception, and defensive MVP Joseph Shannon had five tackles with two for loss and a sack.

The defense held the Wildcats to just 19 yards rushing and 62 total yards for the game.

“It’s really a different situation compared to last year,” Montalto said. “We’re bringing a lot of these key guys back who all contributed and were important players for us.

“Now, they have some momentum going into the offseason and toward 2025.”

Under Montalto, the Tritons have scored bowl wins over ranked teams each of the past seven seasons, knocking off five straight Top-10 teams.

Regarded as Iowa’s oldest annual bowl, Iowa Central played in the first bowl here back in 1978, falling to Coffeyville in what was then the RC Cola Bowl. They are 19-9 overall in the postseason, with one of those wins coming inside Dodger Stadium in 2021.