(Waukesha, Wis.) – The Carroll University football team heads to Ripon College on Saturday seeking to equal the 7-0 start of the 1936 Pioneers.
 
This year's perfect Pioneers are coming off a record-breaking victory over Lawrence University during CU's Homecoming weekend. In Carroll's 76-7 victory over the Vikings, the Pioneers set new school records for points (76), rushing touchdowns (8) and rushing yards (436). The 69-point margin of victory was fourth-best all-time in the program's history.
 
Carroll and Ripon meet on the gridiron for the 65^th time, with the first coming in 1905 which resulted in 6-0 Pioneers victory. Ripon holds a 6-5 advantage over Carroll in the previous 11 matchups, including a 22-20 Red Hawk victory a year ago in Ripon. Including last year's game, eight of the last 11 games have been decided by eight points or less.
 
While Carroll comes into Saturday's contest red-hot, the Red Hawks are reeling. Ripon is 1-5 overall, including an 0-2 mark in the Midwest Conference's north division, and has lost five consecutive games. The Red Hawks lost their season opener at the College of St. Scholastica (28-27) but responded with a 24-14 victory over Rockford College in week two. Since then Ripon has fallen to Cornell College (43-24), Illinois College (21-6), Macalester College (28-20) and St. Norbert College (13-10).
 
Not only is Carroll a perfect 6-0 on the season, they have been nearly flawless in all three phases of the game – offense, defense and special teams. The Pioneers have blasted their opponents with 233 points while surrendering just 60. Carroll's ground game has amassed 1,343 yards this season, more than doubling its opponents' production (670 yards). Additionally, Carroll is a threat to score at just about every conceivable way. The Pioneers have scored touchdowns on the ground, in the air, on interceptions, kickoff and punt returns.
 
Carroll's season began with a pair of victories over Northern Athletic Conference opponents Lakeland College (33-7) and Benedictine University (34-6). The Pioneers have since bested Lake Forest College (28-7), Monmouth College (32-27), St. Norbert College (30-6) and Lawrence University (76-7).
 
In addition to dominating the Midwest Conference, Carroll has caught the eye of football minds across the nation. The Pioneers rank among the nation's best in many statistical categories and are ranked No. 26 in the nation in the latest D3football.com poll.
 
Saturday's kickoff at Ripon is 1 p.m. Live video of the game can been viewed at ripon.edu.