Two-time reigning College of DuPage opened its 2023 season Thursday night with a 17-10 victory at Division I Ellsworth.
 
After a scoreless first quarter, the Chaps outscored the Panthers 10-3 in the second quarter and went into halftime after Mason Wojtas' 27-yard field goal as time expired.
 
The Chaps earned their first-half touchdown on a 1-yard pass from sophomore Robert Brazziel to Braden Downs.
 
COD broke the 10-10 in the fourth quarter on All-American Jaden McGill's 10-yard plunge early in the fourth quarter.
 
The Chaps gained 189 yards of total offense with Brazziel, Jack Leons and Peyton O'Laughlin combining for 11-of-25 passing, 45 yards and one TD and an INT.
 
McGill led the Chaps on the ground with 32 yards on 14 carries.
 
Defensively, COD allowed just 198 yards of Panthers' offense.
 
Making a name for himself in the opener was linebacker Kellon King, who finished the night with eight solo tackles, two tackles for loss. Defensive back Michael Gravely Jr.'s 35-yard interception return halted an Ellsworth drive in the final quarter.
 
Dominick McDonough, Jamal King and returning NJCAA defensive player of the year Guy Goss all had four solo tackles.
 
The Chaps are at Rochester Community C&T on Saturday. The Yellowjackets defeated Hocking 44-6 on Saturday in a game played at COD.