ROCK ISLAND, Ill. -- After a tough loss to Elmhurst University last week, North Park Football headed west to face fellow "Viking" foe Augustana College and played spoiler on Homecoming, winning the game in double-overtime 30-27. The win was North Park's first over Augustana since 2017.
In what was an expected close game, North Park started with the football and had some early success moving the ball but was forced to punt on their opening drive. Augustana went right back down to score on their first drive, bolstered by a 46-yard completion, giving them a 7-0 lead.
The defenses of both teams held up for most of the first half, trading punts back-and-forth. North Park was able to put a drive together in the back half of the second quarter, resulting in a short pass from senior quarterback Matt Eck to junior running back Kalen Riley-Richardson for a touchdown. With the score tied at 7 a piece, North Park's defense forced a punt with 2:45 left in the half, giving their offense a chance to march down the field and take the lead. That drive would end in another punt after gaining one first down, allowing Augustana College the opportunity to try a two-minute drill of their own with advantageous field position. With time ticking down, Augustana made a couple plays to put them in field goal range with 8 seconds left in the first half, which enabled them to take a 10-7 lead heading into halftime.
The second half gave more work to the punters as the defenses continued their stalwart play. North Park's offense seemed to get it rolling late in the third but was stopped on 4th and 1 when they tried to do a trick play to get the first down. As the third quarter closed North Park forced a huge 3-and-out as Augie was the team who started to catch a groove.
That groove for Augie would continue as they would extend their lead to 17-7 with 12 minutes left in the fourth quarter, after another North Park punt. North Park responded well, using a lot of time to drive down the field for a 31-yard field goal by senior Michael Messersmith that inched the Vikings closer, 17-10. Augustana wisely used up another 4 minutes trying to wind down the clock to decrease the chances for North Park but the defense held firm forcing a punt so the offense could have a chance to tie the game at 17.
North Park would do just that as they executed a beautiful two-minute drill to drive down the field behind some key throws from senior quarterback Matt Eck. From inside the ten, Eck would roll right and find sophomore wide receiver Jereme Ombogo for the game-tying touchdown.
Augustana had less than a minute to move down field and kick a field goal, but the North Park defense again made some game-changing plays, including a third-and-short pass breakup by fifth year linebacker Jaydin Miller, to force overtime.
College overtime rules indicate that each team has a chance to possess the ball from the 25-yard line and the only way to win is if your offense scores and the defense proceeds to get a stop. So, if Augie went down and scored a touchdown and an extra point, North Park would have to do the same to keep the game alive.
North Park possessed the ball first and scored a touchdown in three plays, as Eck and Ombogo got together again for a 20-yard TD completion, taking a 24-17 lead. Augustana would respond and tie the game at 24 a piece on a four-play drive.
After both offenses possessed the ball, the teams go to the other side of the field to keep playing on the other half of the field. This time Augustana started with the ball and the defense of North Park limited the Augie offense to just a field goal, giving Augie the 27-24 advantage.
The second possession for North Park sealed the deal as they rode the run game with junior running back Quadrell Hill getting two 10+ yard runs to get the North Park offense inside the 5-yard line. After a couple more short gains to get them inside the 2-yard line, Eck went under center for the quarterback sneak and was pushed across the line for a game-winning rush, spoiling Augustana College's homecoming game.
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What's Next?
North Park moves to 3-1 overall and 2-1 in CCIW play, looking to stay on track by hosting Carroll University on October 12th at 1pm for their own homecoming.
