CHICAGO, Ill. -- Both Elmhurst University (1-1, 0-1) and North Park (1-1, 0-1) are coming off conference losses in week 3, the Bluejays falling to Illinois Wesleyan 42-6 and the Vikings dropping a close one against Millikin. The two teams will face off this Saturday night for North Park's home opener.
North Park's defense will have their hands full stopping the Bluejay run game led by running backs Mason Leach, Jeffrey Elms, and dual threat quarterback John Odom. Odom is a capable quarterback who threw for 400 yards in their week one game against Rockford University and averages 33 rushing yards a game over these first two games. Defensive backs Ben Butler, Sam Aguirre, and the rest of the Viking secondary will have the task of stopping Odom's top target A.D Russell, who has 13 receptions and 152 yards through two games. If Theo Smith, Vince Lenzy, Elijah Chandler and the rest of the defense can create havoc and create turnovers like they did through these first two games, the Vikings will be successful come Saturday night.
Offensively, the Vikings should have a more favorable match up this week, facing a Bluejay defense that has allowed 72 points between Rockford University (30) and Illinois Wesleyan (42). Sophomore quarterback Cailix Dillon is expected to start Saturday's game after coming in for senior Justen Green in the fourth quarter against Millikin. Dillon's added running ability creates another facet that the Bluejay defensive coaches have to account for in their game plan, and after Elmhurst let up near 500 total yards to Illinois Wesleyan, fully expected head coach Kyle Rooker to be aggressive in both the run and the pass game. That said, North Park will likely look to get their receivers a little more involved compared to last week. Even though there was rain and the ball might have been slick against Millikin, senior receiver Jereme Ombogo only tallied 2 catches for 8 yards while Wesley McCloud only had 4 catches for 61 yards, and while 61 isn't a bad stat line, a chunk of it came on a 45-yard reception -- a higher volume of targets for both these receivers spells success for the Vikings.
North Park's home opener against the Elmhurst University Bluejays kicks off at 6pm on Saturday, September 27th at the Holmgren Athletic Complex.
