ELMHURST, Ill. -- In a slippery matchup against a closely located opponent in Elmhurst University, the Vikings traveled to play the Bluejays at Langhorst Field on Saturday afternoon. North Park came up short in their first loss of the season, 28-21.
North Park did not have the ideal start that they wanted in a game where they are looking to stay undefeated. Their first drive looked promising as they drove 64 yards down the field but was halted by an Elmhurst defensive stop when the Vikings went for it on 4th down on the Bluejay 30-yard line. North Park's defense proceeded to force consecutive three-and-outs only for the Vikings offense to turn the ball right back over the Bluejays. The first quarter ended in a scoreless draw as it was a quarter to forget for both teams.
Elmhurst opened the second quarter with a near 90-yard drive for a touchdown that was followed by another 70-yard drive to take a 14-0 lead. The Vikings responded a 60-yard drive of their own where senior quarterback Matt Eck connected with junior receiver Wesley McCloud for an 11-yard touchdown, making it 14-7. The momentum shift in North Park's favor wouldn't last long as Elmhurst took the proceeding kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown to take it into half 21-7 in favor of the Bluejays.
The Vikings started the second half with the ball and went three-and-out quick while the Bluejays went on to score on their first possession extending their lead to 28-7. There wouldn't be any more scoring until the ten second mark of the 3rd when Eck would connect with sophomore receiver Levi Sheehan for a 10-yard touchdown that would end the quarter at 28-14.
North Park's defense would keep the Bluejay offense at bay for the rest of the game holding them to 28 and the Vikings offense would have a couple chances to cut the lead down but couldn't capitalize on their opportunities. In a late attempt to stay in the game, quarterback Matt Eck would run in for the score with 17 seconds left, pulling them closer 28-21.
Graduate student kicker Carson Blatchford would attempt the onside kick, but it was recovered quickly by the Elmhurst return team's front line.
Though North Park would have three 100-yard receivers in today's game in junior receivers Wesley McCloud, Jereme Ombogo, and senior running back Marcel Love, their costly turnovers and penalties would prove pivotal against an Elmhurst team that rushed for 190 yards which kept the clock running most of the game.
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What's Next?
The Vikings stay on the road next week as they look to spoil Augustana College's (2-1) homecoming on October, 5th at 1pm. After that, NPU returns home for their own homecoming game against Carroll University on October, 12th at 1pm.
