Photo credit: Paige Wilcox

CHICAGO, Ill. – The North Park University football team took a 14-14 tied into the fourth quarter, but fell to the Carroll University Pioneers, 26-14, on a rainy Saturday at the Holmgren Athletic Complex.

After a scoreless first quarter, Carroll pursued a four-minute drive. Utilizing their ground game, the Pioneers marched down the field, capping their drive with a two-yard touchdown rush by Johnson.

North Park was quick to respond, however, as junior quarterback Grant Borsch found senior tight end Na'im Smith for a 29-yard touchdown pass. Following kicker Alex Santillan's good PAT, the Vikings were knotted up with the Pioneers, 7-7.

This would cap the scoring for the first half, as neither team broke double digits heading into halftime.

Halftime: North Park and Carroll tied at seven

Carroll opened the third-quarter scoring with an 8-yard rushing touchdown, but North Park responded in its next possession.

Following a 6-yard rush for AJ Harris and a 7-yard pass back to Harris, Borsch found freshman wide receiver Stefan Giminski for a 63-yard touchdown pass, tying the game at 14-14 going into the fourth quarter.

Carroll started the fourth quarter with a five-yard rushing touchdown by Allen, missing the PAT, to hold a six-point lead. 

The Pioneers added another rushing touchdown with a 5-yard run by backup quarterback John Taylor.

Unfortunately, the Vikings weren't able to chip away at the Pio lead, falling 26-14.

Quick Hits:

• Borsch threw for 220 yards and a pair of touchdowns
• Giminski led the NPU receivers with 92 yards and a touchdown
• Senior linebacker led the Vikings with 11 tackles and a tackle for loss
• Senior defensive end Uati Pati had two tackles for loss and a sack

What's Next?

North Park (0-7, 0-6 CCIW) head north to Kenosha, Wis. to face the Carthage College Red Men. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.