Pictures: Angelina Azzo

CHICAGO, Ill. -- The Vikings took on the Elmhurst Blue Jays on Saturday afternoon as NPU honored the careers of eight seniors: Pryce Grier, Lindon Ujkashi, Benjamin Urchell, Steve Salinas, Johnathon Khoshaba, Jeremy Hanlon, Jeffrey Fisher, and C.J. Martin. That bunch departs from Holmgren on a high note, with North Park picking up their first win of the season in a 23-20 comeback victory.

North Park got out to an early lead 10-0 through a quarter and a half, first scoring on a Michael Messersmith FG to go up by 3 over the Blue Jays. The ensuing Elmhurst possession went for 35 yards on 5 plays before the Blue Jays punting unit took over. With Juan Nieves set to return, a sliced kick found its way over to Jaydin Miller instead who followed his blockers to a 62-yard return touchdown, giving NPU a 10-0 lead with just over 3:00 left in the 2^ndquarter.

The Blue Jays quickly responded with two scores of their own, evening the score at 10-10 by halftime. That momentum carried into the 3^rd as Elmhurst turned their 10-point deficit into a 10-point lead, with the score sitting at 10-20 halfway through the 3^rd quarter.

North Park opted to switch up the offense for the next few drives, running the wildcat with A.J. Harris taking the snap. The move initially resulted in a short set of downs before a punt, but Elmhurst's following possession was short-lived as an errant throw was intercepted by Mo Carter down to the Elmhurst 34. The Vikings stuck with the wildcat offense as A.J. Harris punched a goal-line carry into the endzone, bringing the score to 16-20 after a missed PAT.

That score held until the last minutes of the 4^th quarter. Elmhurst—pinned at their own endzone—had no choice but to punt into the wind, blowing the ball out of bounds at the Elmhurst 24. Matt Eck was back under center for the final possession, and with the ball on the Elmhurst 12, threw to a wide open Marcel Love to complete the comeback and give the Vikings a 23-20 lead that eventually went final. 

Quick Hits:

• Harris, Love, and Jaydin Miller with TD's
• Love nets 73 yards on the ground, 50 for Harris
• Kalas with 38 receiving yards
• Miller and AJ Henry each total seven tackles
• Two sacks for a loss of 13 yards for Henry
• Interception for Mo Carter
• Two pass breakups for Jason Adkinson, one each for Nieves, Theo Smith, and Nate Weitzman

What's Next?

North Park (1-8, 1-7 CCIW) ends the season against 15th-ranked Wheaton College next Saturday, November 12. Kickoff at McCully Stadium is set for 1:00 PM CST.