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North Park University Athletics

HarrisBehel21run
58
Winner Wheaton (IL) WHEATON 2-1 , 1-1
27
North Park NPU 0-3 , 0-2
Winner
Wheaton (IL) WHEATON
2-1 , 1-1
58
Final
27
North Park NPU
0-3 , 0-2
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
WHEATON Wheaton (IL) 14 20 24 0 58
NPU North Park 13 0 0 14 27

Game Recap: Football | | Tyler Woolbright, tawoolbright@northpark.edu

No. 5 Wheaton Put on Heels in First Quarter by NPU Football

Vikings start game with onside kick recovery

CHICAGO, Ill. – The North Park University football team continued their uphill battle of nationally-recognized opponents by facing fifth-ranked Wheaton College on Saturday afternoon. The Thunder navigated an early surge of momentum from the Vikings as NPU lost the contest, 58-27.

In a game full of surprises, Viking kicker Carson Blatchford chopped a twice-hopping onside kick to begin the game as Marcus Jonsson absorbed contact from Wheaton while recovering keeping his focus to recover the ball, electrifying the NPU bench and crowd.

Blatchfordonsidjonsson21

Next, in his first appearance as a Viking, North Park quarterback Matt Little completed a 43-yard pass to AJ Harris who was knocked out at the Wheaton 21.

littleharriswhe21

Following a four-yard rush, the duo connected on just the third play of the drive when Little found Harris in the corner of the endzone, giving the Vikings an early 6-0 lead. Wheaton would block the PAT, but North Park cracked the nationally-ranked Thunder defense early. 

Unfortunately, this lead would be short-lived as Wheaton responded with an 81-yard, six-play drive in its next possession to go ahead 7-6. Wheaton also added seven more points on a five-play, 84-yard drive, highlighted by a 52-yard pass from Anthony to Weeks, to extend its lead to 14-6.

Before the quarter ended North Park would get on the scoreboard one more time. 

With a minute showing on the game clock, Little found wide receiver Jacob Dreksler for a 31-yard touchdown on North Park's first play of the drive to put the Vikings a point behind the nation's fifth-ranked team, 14-13.

However, the Thunder piled on 20 points in the second quarter and 24 points in the third quarter to earn the 58-27 win.


Quick Hits:

  • Blatchford chops the game-opening successful onside kick, recovered by Jonsson
  • Little connects with Harris twice in three-play drive for first trip to endzone
  • Dreksley catches 31-yard TD pass from Little
  • Harris scores second touchdown in fourth quarter – this time, a rush
  • Matt Eck and Mike Oray cap the scoring with a 12-yard TD reception
  • NPU offense totals 287 yards against oft-mentioned Wheaton defense


What's Next?

North Park (0-3, 0-2 CCIW) hits the road next Saturday, October 2, for a trip to Augustana College. Kickoff in Rock Island is set for 1 p.m.


 

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