Photo credits: Paige Wilcox

CHICAGO, Ill. -- The North Park University football earned their first win of the season defeating Elmhurst College, 38-14, inside the Holmgren Athletic Complex on Saturday afternoon.

The Bluejays struck first in the first quarter on a 10-yard touchdown pass and, after a missed extra point, held a 6-0 lead.  The Vikings opened their scoring on the next drive as senior kicker Alex Santillan nailed a 32-yard field goal, cutting the deficit to three points. That score would hold after one quarter of play. 

First Quarter: Elmhurst 6, North Park 3

After the first two drives of the second quarter stalled, the Vikings took the lead.  Senior linebacker Gary Anish intercepted Bluejay quarterback Jake Tahaney to the Elmhurst 45-yard line. Next, junior quarterback Grant Borsch found freshman tight end Thomas Knight for 10 yards to the Elmhurst 34.  After a false start penalty, Borsch connected with senior tight end Na'im Smith for a 24-yard touchdown. Santillan tallied the ensuing extra point as the Vikings took a 10-6 lead.

The next Bluejay drive ended with a fumble recovered by Anish at the NPU 36 yard line and, on the first play of their drive, freshman running back A.J. Harris broke free for a 36-yard run.  A few plays later, Borsch completed a 31-yard strike to freshman Zach Hendrick, putting the ball on the one-yard line. Junior quarterback Melvin Bobo punched in his first touchdown of the season not long after and, following the PAT, the Vikings held a 17-6 lead.

In the closing seconds of the second quarter, the Bluejays tacked on a touchdown, closing the gap to 17-14 at the half.  

Halftime: North Park 17, Elmhurst 14 

The Vikings scored the lone points in the third quarter set up by another Elmhurst turnover.  After Anish recovered his second fumble of the game, Borsch connected with freshman wide receiver Stefan Giminski for a 25-yard touchdown reception.  After the Santillan extra point, the Vikings grew their lead to 24-14.  The Vikings led by that same score going into the fourth quarter.  

Third Quarter: North Park 24, Elmhurst 14

North Park scored on its first possession of the fourth quarter.  After a sack by Elmhurst to make it 2nd and 16, Harris rushed ahead forward for four yards.  On the next play, Borsch found Smith for a first down to the Bluejay 46-yard line.  After a couple of rushes, Knight caught a 29-yard pass from Borsch to set up a 9-yard touchdown reception for Giminski, making the score 31-14, to cap off a 10-play, 83-yard possession.  

On the ensuing kickoff, freshman quarterback Justin Atkins recovered a muffed kickoff from Justin Parbs, setting up a drive at the Bluejay 31-yard line.  After Harris marched up the field on a few rushes, Borsch hit Smith with a 29-yard reception to the two yard line.  Harris then cashed in his first touchdown of the season, extending the Viking lead to 38-14.  

This margin led Head Coach Kyle Rooker to his first win of his career as the Vikings defeated Elmhurst, 38-14. 

Final: North Park 38, Elmhurst 14

Quick Hits: 

• Borsch finished his day 23-34 for 329 yards with three touchdowns
• Harris rushed for a career high 70 yards on 16 carries
• Hendrick set a new career high with 125 yards receiving and Smith followed with 105 yards
• Giminski scored two touchdowns
• Anish and sophomore Arnaldo Landrau led the Vikings with nine tackles 
• Anish notched two fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and one interception
• Senior Dalton McKay intercepted Tahaney and returned it for 28 yards

What's Next? 

The Vikings (1-8,1-7 CCIW) conclude its 2019 season traveling to Bloomington, Ill. to play Illinois Wesleyan (5-4, 5-3 CCIW).  Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. 

--NPU--