Chicago, Il., -- Homecoming athletic festivities kicked off with North Park (2-1, 1-1) taking on the Augustana College Vikings (2-1, 1-1) on a warm October day.  Last season, North Park was able to spoil Augie's homecoming beating them 30-27 in double OT, and today Augie had the same intention.  North Park elected to receive and send their offense out to start the game, where they drove down the field efficiently and capped off the opening drive with a rushing touchdown from senior receiver Jereme Ombogo.  Ombogo didn't play last week against Elmhurst but made his presence felt in the first half of this game, lining up in the backfield, the slot, and out wide. From there it was a quiet half from both teams offensively, as both defenses traded stops – one of which was a dropped snap by Augie's quarterback that was recovered by senior backer Theo Smith at the end of the first quarter.  After a North Park three-and-out, Augie broke the scoring spell at the start of the second quarter with a field goal then again just before half with a 30-yard touchdown by receiver Breyden Smith to give Augie the 10-7 lead going into half. 

To open the second half, Augie marched down the field again to extend their lead to 17-7 with a touchdown pass from quarterback Jimmy Makuh to tight end Jake Miller.  North Park responded with a touchdown of their own, with sophomore quarterback Cailix Dillon finding sophomore running back Bryce Black down the middle of the field for a 36-yard touchdown.  Augie continued to stay in a rhythm offensively, posting another score before the end of the third quarter by way of the Makuh to Miller connection once again, extending their lead back to ten at 24-14.  The North Park offense breathed life back into the stadium when Dillon found Ombogo on a quick slant that he turned into a 54-yard touchdown and brought them within three points with just under eleven minutes left to go in the game.  Augie did exactly what every team dreams of doing following the North Park score but couldn't fully capitalize.  They responded with a near five-minute drive getting down inside the North Park 10-yard line and tried to put the nail in the coffin by going for it on 4^th and 1 from the North Park 6-yard line.  Theo Smith stuffed Augie's running back as the rest of the North Park defense followed suit and gang tackled the ball carrier turning it over on downs and giving the offense a shot to go down and win the game. 

Unfortunately, North Park's offense could not get rolling again, turning the ball over for the third time trying to push the ball down the field resulting in a 24-21 loss.  Turnovers, penalties, and third down conversions proved troublesome for North Park, three keys to the game for any team in football.  North Park will travel to Waukesha, Wisconsin on Saturday, October 11^th where they'll take on the Pioneers of Carroll University.