It would be easy for coach Mike Conway and the North Park Vikings to hang their heads after Saturday's defeat at Wheaton College, a 48-21 decision in College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin play.

But that's not what North Park and the Vikings' program was built on. If anything, NP will use this as a strong learning experience to their advantage and look to bounce back when they return home Saturday, Oct. 11 for a 1 p.m. contest with North Central.

Led by 268 yards passing on 26 of 44 completions from sophomore quarterback T.D. Conway, the Vikings scored three touchdowns against a nationally-ranked Wheaton team (No. 19), and out-gained them 268-257 through the air.

North Park tallied its first touchdown in the second quarter when Conway hooked up with senior Daniel Anderson for a 15-yard pass, ending a quick 4-play, 31-yard drive with 11:33 remaining. Later in the second half, North Park put up back-to-back scores in the third quarter when Anderson caught his second touchdown pass of the day, a 36-yard strike from Conway ending a 78-yard drive with 7:31 left. Devin Childress then added the final score on a 9-yard pass from Conway not even two minutes later.

Anderson finished the day with five catches for 80 yards and two scores, while Anthony Burton had seven catches for 79 yards. Defensively, senior Philip Pendleton finished with 10 total tackles, including eight solo, while both Ryan Boswell and Dylan Woods each had an interception for North Park (0-4, 0-1).