North Central College
Cardinal Football
Oct. 19, 2024 (Homecoming)
North Park University Vikings (4-1, 3-1) at North Central College Cardinals (5-0, 4-0)
GAME NOTES
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Full Game Preview All-Time Series vs. North Park Program History Setting the Scene: After hitting the road for four of its first five games, the Cardinals return to Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium for Homecoming Weekend to face one of Division III’s most prolific passing attacks this season. Series History: This is the 64th football meeting between the two institutions. North Central owns a 51-10-2 advantage in the all-time series and has won each of the last 27 encounters dating back to 1996. The Cardinals’ winning streak against the Vikings is their longest against any CCIW opponent. North Central traveled to Chicago Oct. 28 of last season and shut out the Vikings for the fifth time in the last six seasons, claiming a 56-0 victory. The Cardinals rolled up 396 yards in the first half and carried a 35-0 advantage into halftime, finishing with 631 total yards. North Central allowed the Vikings to gain just 128 yards. North Park advanced into the Cardinals’ territory only twice, seeing both drives end with interceptions. Luke Lehnen completed 12 of 17 passes for 229 yards and three touchdowns while running for 84 yards and three more scores. Joe Sacco scored twice and gained 137 yards on nine rushing attempts, while Joey Lombardi gained a team-high 93 yards on four receptions. Martin Egbo totaled six tackles for loss and three quarterback sacks, which match the third-highest single-game totals in program history.
Location:......................................................... Chicago, Ill. Enrollment:................................................................. 2,660 Affiliation:............................................. NCAA Division III Conference:................................ College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin Stadium:..................Holmgren Athletic Complex (3,000) 2023 Record:............................................. 5-5 (4-5 CCIW) Head Coach:..................................................Kyle Rooker Record at NPU:........................................13-35 (6th year) Career Record:........................................13-35 (6th year)
Location:..................................................... Naperville, Ill. Enrollment:................................................................. 2,695 Affiliation:............................................. NCAA Division III Conference:................................ College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin Stadium:....................Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium (5,889) 2023 Record:........................................... 14-1 (9-0 CCIW) Head Coach:.............................................. Brad Spencer Record at NCC:......................................... 34-1 (3rd year) Career Record:......................................... 34-1 (3rd year)
LIVE COVERAGE Video: northcentralcardinals.com/watch Radio: 89.1-FM, WONC/wonc.org Live Stats: sidearmstats.com/ncc/football/ Live Game Updates via Twitter/Instagram: @NCC_Athletics
2024 CARDINAL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26 Nov. 2 Nov. 9 Nov. 16
#13/14 Aurora University Carthage College Washington University in St. Louis #18/23 Wheaton College Millikin University North Park University Augustana College Carroll University Elmhurst University Illinois Wesleyan University
Montgomery, Ill. W, 48-21 Kenosha, Wis. W, 63-0 Naperville, Ill. W, 49-9 Wheaton, Ill. W, 55-27 Decatur, Ill. W, 70-14 Naperville, Ill. 6 p.m. Rock Island, Ill. 1 p.m. Naperville, Ill. 12 p.m. Naperville, Ill. 12 p.m. Bloomington, Ill. 1 p.m.
Home games in BOLD College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin games in ITALICS
The Cardinals have won their last six games against North Park by a total combined score of 344-6.
play this season, including Saturday’s 30-26 victory over Carroll which featured six lead changes.
National Rankings: North Central was ranked No. 1 nationally in the most recent NCAA Division III Top 25 Polls by D3football. com and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA). The Cardinals have been ranked No. 1 in the last 27 AFCA regular-season polls and 36 of the last 39 D3football.com regularseason polls.
Trailing, 26-24, late in the fourth quarter, the Vikings traveled 75 yards in 14 plays and scored on Quadrell Hill’s three-yard touchdown run with 1:04 to play. The PIoneers completed a downfield pass and attempted a series of laterals on the game’s final play, but the ball was fumbled and safety Ben Foster made the recovery to seal the win.
Scouting the Vikings: Three of North Park’s four victories have come down to the final
North Park ranks first in the CCIW and fifth nationally in passing of-
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fense (321.4 yards per game) this season. Quarterback Matt Eck has completed 66.8 percent of his passes for 1,546 yards and 15 touchdowns with just four interceptions. Wide receiver Jereme Ombogo ranks second in the conference in receptions (33), receiving yards (552) and touchdown catches (7) while Wesley McCloud has made 31 grabs for 455 yards and four scores. The Vikings’ passing game accounts for the bulk of their 418.3 offensive yards per contest. North Park’s defense allows 24.4 points per game and ranks second in the CCIW to North Central in total
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