CHICAGO, IL (September 30, 2011) – The North Park football team opens College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin play this weekend when it travels to Elmhurst College Saturday at 1 p.m.

North Park is seeking its first CCIW victory and if the Vikings should accomplish it, it would snap a 75-game losing streak in the conference, and give North Park its first 4-0 start in the history of the program, dating back to 1934.

The Vikings have started strong under sixth-year coach Scott Pethtel. It is their first 3-0 start to a season since 2005, and they lead the conference in rushing offense, averaging just under 315 yards per game.  What's more, the Vikings also rank in top-five in total offense (378.7 yards/game), rushing defense (69.7 yards/game, kickoff returns (22.4 yards return average), scoring defense (13.0 yards/game) and scoring offense (28.3 yards/game).

Individually, sophomore Tyler Krebs has been impressive as he leads the team, and the CCIW in rushing with 116.3 yards per game as well as pass efficiency (335.1), and is in the top three in all-purpose yards and scoring. Two-time CCIW Special Teams Player of the Week Tony Kebede is second in CCIW field goals, averaging almost two a game, and field goal percentage (83.3).

On the defensive side, senior captain Casey Smagala and freshman Kyle Leibforth rank top-ten in tackles, averaging 6.3 and 6.7 per game, respectively, while junior Cicero Porter ranks second in the CCIW with four pass break-ups and one interception. Sophomore Darius Dacanay is tied for the lead in interceptions with three as well. 

Elmhurst enters Saturday's game with a 2-1 record, after a 33-26 setback to the University of Chicago Sept. 17 despite 484 yards of total offense, and 319 passing yards on 24-of-41 completions from junior quarterback Joe Furco. Elmhurst leads the CCIW in passing offense at 279.7 yards per game and is second in scoring offense at 46.7 points per game.