RIPON, Wisc. - The Ripon College Red Hawks continued to make history Saturday, thumping Beloit College, 55-14, at Ingalls Stadium to start their season 8-0 for the first time since 1963 and for just the third time in the program's 131-year history.

Saturday's win is Ripon's fifth straight over Beloit College and the Red Hawks now lead the all-time series, which dates back to 1893, 74-29-4. The matchup with the Buccaneers is the longest-running series in Ripon history.

Ripon (8-0, 7-0 Midwest Conference) didn't let Beloit (1-7, 1-6) gain the confidence needed to spring an upset, holding a 14-7 lead after one quarter before outscoring the Buccaneers, 20-0, in the second period to take a 34-7 lead into the locker room at halftime before cruising in the second half. It marks the fourth time this season the Red Hawks have scored more than 33 points in a game this season and was a welcome offensive explosion after leaning on their defense in victories over Lake Forest (16-14) and the University of Chicago (19-16) in Ripon's last two outings.

Leading the Ripon offensive attack was running back Cormac Madigan, who finished with 125 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries. He also had two receptions for 42 yards and a second TD and also added a 4-yard touchdown pass for the Red Hawks as well. Madigan moved into second place on the Ripon career leader board for rushing yards (3,875) during the game and now only trails Troy DeVoe (4,117 yards on 776 carries from 1998-2001) on that list. Madigan is also third all-time in rushing attempts (617), only behind DeVoe and Don Dawson (680 attempts from 1990-93).

Ripon quarterback Jarrett Zibert was 19-for-27 for 297 yards and two passing touchdowns and tossed in another 25 yards and a score on seven carries of his own. Six different receivers caught more than one pass, inlcuding four with five catches apiece - led by Tiegan Bothun's five receptions for 83 yards. Kaipo Magsayo, Walter Bryant, Madigan and Kevin Thao all had touchdown catches for Ripon, which rolled up 611 yards of offense (201 rushing, 410 passing) and 28 first downs on 76 plays (8.04 yards per play) in the victory.

Meanwhile, the Red Hawk defense continued its strong work, limiting the Buccaneers to 214 total yards and 10 first downs on 51 plays, an average of 4.2 yards per play. Ripon has allowed 16 or less points in seven of its eight games this season.

Ripon is back in action next week, traveling to Monmouth, Ill., to take on the Monmouth College Fighting Scots (6-2, 6-1) in a battle of two of the Midwest Conference's top teams. Monmouth suffered its first conference loss on Saturday, dropping a 31-14 decision at Lake Forest College. Kickoff for the Ripon-Monmouth game at April Zorn Memorial Stadium is scheduled for 1 p.m.