Freshman quarterback Justin Bland threw four touchdown passes and sophomore running back Ernest Temple scored a 66-yard TD on the game's first play from scrimmage as three-time defending NJCAA champion College of DuPage opened the season with a 48-13 victory over visiting Ellsworth on Thursday night at MacDougall Field.
 
Wide receiver Clayton Bone was on the receiving end on three of Bland's TDs as COD scored on each of its first three possessions and rolled to the victory.
 
Bland, a Glenbard North product, earned his first start in his career and keyed the offense all night long. He and Bone connected on a 33-yard TD that capped a 10-play drive midway through the first quarter.
 
And on COD's next possession, Bland hooked up with sophomore WR Deszmund White on a 69-yard strike.

Bland finished the night 15-of-19 passing for 423 yards, four TDs and one interception. Bone totaled 146 yards on four receptions, while White led in receptions with six for 13 yards.

Willie Feagin had three receptions for 60 yards, and Ian Poston totaled three receptions for 49 yards.
 
"Tonight was a complete-game victory and Justin really stood out,'' head coach Matthew Rahn said. "We knew our wide receivers would be a strong point of our season, and Justin was lights-out.''
 
Temple added his second touchdown of the night in the second quarter, and then Bone and Bland connected on a one-play, 75-yard TD and COD led 35-0 with 4:09 left in the half.

Temple gained 88 yards on nine carries.
 
All-American kicker Christian Casillas was successful from 24 and 35 yards, respectively, in the second half.
 
Bland and Bone connected in the third quarter on a 29-yarder.
 
"We had strong efforts from our offensive line, who blocked very well,'' Rahn said. "Defensively, our line played in control, our linebackers were physical and our defensive backs were flying around. Christian gives such an edge and (punter) Aaron Rice pinned them back.

On defense, Ja'Mycheal Downs and Jakub Mwangelwa each had six solo tackles with Kellen Brnfre finishing with five solos.

Casey Bending had one sack (9 yards) and two tackles for losses (12 yards).
 
COD (1-0) is at Hocking College on Aug. 31.
 
College of DuPage 21-14-10-3_48
Ellsworth 0-7-0-6_13
Scoring Summary
First Quarter
D — Ernest Temple 66 run (Christian Casillas kick), 14:42
Drive: 1 play, 66 yards, 11 seconds
D — Clayton Bone 33 pass from Justin Bland (Casillas kick), 8:32
Drive: 10 plays, 77 yards, 4:40
D — Deszmund White 69 pass from Bland (Casillas kick), 5:02
Drive: 3 plays, 69 yards, 1:42
Second Quarter
D — Temple 3 run (Casillas kick), 6:45
Drive: 6 plays, 28 yards, 4:15
D — Bone 75 pass from Bland (Casillas kick), 4:09
Drive: 1 play, 75 yards, 13 seconds
E — Amir Nixon 14 pass from Dorian Phillips (Nolan Mickelson kick), 1:40
Drive: 7 plays, 76 yards, 2:18
Third Quarter
D — FG 24 Casillas, 10:21
Drive: 8 plays, 32 yards, 3:15
D — Bone 29 pass from Bland (JT Frieders kick), 6:21
Drive: 3 plays, 33 yards, 1:46
Fourth Quarter
D — FG 35 Casillas, 14:07
Drive: 10 plays, 41 yards, 5:23
E — Kacen Boyer 6 pass from Gabriel Robinson (pass failed), 1:55
Drive: 13 plays, 91 yards, 6:57