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Vikings Victory Ends 34-Year Drought
EUREKA, IL (September 20, 2005) - In winning their first three games of the
year, the North Park Vikings on Saturday accomplished what none of the
university's teams had done since 1971.
The Vikings ended the 34-year drought by overwhelming the Eureka College
Red Devils 34-6. The offense racked up 494 yards while the defense again
played tough, limiting the Red Devils to just 293 yards, including only
five on the ground.
Earlier in the week the Chicago Sun-Times had made special
mention of the Vikings' 2-0 start, a feat which had not been
accomplished since the mid 1970s. The 2005 Vikings proved they were
hungry for more.
A special teams play just 1:34 into the game put the Vikings up 6-0 when
defensive back Mike Doxie returned a Red Devil's blocked punt 11 yards
into the end zone. The Vikings added two points on a pass from
quarterback Mike Haehn to Jon Harris.
It took the Red Devils only 52 seconds on a three play drive to close
the gap to 8-6 on a 74-yard pass. The extra-point attempt was blocked.
The rest of the game belonged to the Vikings. Five play, 75 yards and
only 52 seconds later, Akheem Waterford crashed in from seven yards out
to boost the score to 14-6. Harris' kick was blocked.
Things went from bad to worse for the Red Devils just a little over a
minute later, when the Vikings scored a safety to push the score to 16-6.
The Vikings continued to add points in the second quarter with
impressive drives. Jon Harris caught the first of his two touchdown
receptions to cap a seven-play, 75-yard march. The two-point attempt failed.
Brandon Watts added another touchdown with a 27-yard catch at the end of
a drive that began on the Viking 43 yard line. Haehn's pass fell
incomplete, but the score at the end of the half was 28-6.
Neither team scored in the third quarter, but the Vikings put together a
73-yard drive in the fourth quarter to score on an 11-yard pass from
Haehn to Harris. The kick attempt failed.
Suddenly the Vikings were 3-0.
On paper, the game might appear to be closer than it was. The Vikings
controlled the ball only 59 seconds longer than the Red Devils, and both
teams had 288 yards in the air. Although three of the Vikings
touchdowns came in the air, it was the rushing game that most
highlighted the differences between the two teams.
The Vikings ran over the Red Devils, amassing 206 yards on 41 carries.
Waterford led all rushers with 126 yards, which was 121 more than the
five gained by the Red Devils. When the Vikings did have to punt, Watts
again was impressive averaging 39.7 yards on three kicks, including on
for 54 yards. He placed two within the Red Devil 20 yard line. Haehn
threw the ball 38 times for 18 completions and 2 interceptions. Sherman
Gant led all receivers with 146 yards, including a 53-yard reception.
The Vikings next game is away at Augustana on October 1.
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