WHEATON, IL., -- The Vikings (0-4, 0-2) visited the Thunder of Wheaton College Saturday afternoon, a team who is currently ranked #3 in the country in the Division III polls. The Vikings were coming off a close 31-27 loss to Millikin while the Thunder (4-0, 3-0) bested Illinois Wesleyan 28-7.
Wheaton controlled the line of scrimmage throughout the contest, scoring on their 8-play opening drive. In the second quarter Wheaton added to their score to take a 13-0 lead heading into halftime. Out of the break, the Thunder continued their pressure building a 20-0 lead before the fourth quarter. The Vikings broke their scoring spell late in the fourth putting together a six-play, 80-yard drive when quarterback Paul Palmer found receiver Levi Sheehan for a 14-yard touchdown. Palmer completed 11/14 passes for 88 yards and added 12 rushing yards, Sheehan and Kendale Cade were the Vikings' top receivers, logging three catches each with 45 and 31 yards respectively.
The Vikings defense spent much of the afternoon on the field but turned in several notable performances. Linebackers DJ Johnson and Armando Martinez led the defensive effort for North Park. Johnson tallied 13 tackles (5 solo, 8 assisted) and logged a pass break up as well, while Martinez posted 12 tackles (6 solo, 6 assisted). Not far behind them was Darrius Whiters and Deon Hudson, who had identical stat lines of 9 (3 solo, 6 assisted); with Hudson logging the Vikings' only sack on the quarterback this afternoon. Defensive back Ashton McClinton was active as well, logging four tackles but also forcing and recovering a fumble inside their own 10-yard line, preventing a Wheaton score. Wheaton piled up over 400 yards of offense while limiting North Park to just 148. The Thunder were paced by running back Matt Crider (94 rushing yards, 2 TDs) and quarterback Mark Forcucci (2 rushing TDs, 182 passing yards on 73%). Receivers Sam McFadden and Luke Crawford were their leading receivers with four catches and 35 yards each. The Vikings would ultimately fall to the Thunder 33-6.
What's Next?
North Park (0-5, 0-3) heads into their bye week and won't play their next game until Saturday, October 17th when they will travel to Kenosha, Wisconsin to face Carthage College.
