CHICAGO – The Illinois Wesleyan University football team narrowly dropped a hard-fought battle against North Park University Saturday, Oct. 14, as the Titans fell 20-18 at the Holmgren Athletic Complex in Chicago. IWU slips to 1-5 on the year, 1-4 in College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin standings, while the Vikings improve to 4-2 (3-2 CCIW).

Illinois Wesleyan totaled 395 yards of total offense with a near-perfect split of 197 rushing yards and 198 passing. North Park trailed with 261 yards of total offense while leaning on its 156 passing yards and 105 rushing. IWU dominated with 22 first downs to NPU's seven. 

Freshman quarterback Dermont Smyth (Chicago, Ill.-Marist) had 21 completions on 37 attempts for all 198 yards. Junior Marco Palaganas (St. Petersburg, Fla.-St. Petersburg Catholic) was the top receiver for the Titans, making four catches for 62 yards. 

Anchoring the defense was Sophomore Shea Gaffney (Bloomingdale, Ill.-Glenbard North), who finished with seven total stops. Juniors Zach McNees (Hillsboro, Mo.-Hillsboro) and Josh Hlavacek (Plainfield, Ill-Plainfield North) teamed up for the Titan's sole sack for a loss of eight yards. 

Sophomore Jahari Scott (Lake Bluff, Ill.-Lake Forest) set the tone of the game in the opening quarter, blocking a Vikings punt and recovering it for a touchdown to lead 6-0. 

Illinois Wesleyan extended the score gap on an eight-play run for 71 yards as Smyth scored on a two-yard quarterback keep to put the Titans ahead 12-0. North Park answered on the kickoff with a 90-yard return and a successful extra point kick to bring the score to 12-7.

NPU would utilize eight plays in the third quarter to score on a three-yard run, taking the lead 13-12, despite missing the extra point. A 71-yard pass would be all the momentum for the Vikings to score on a two-play possession in the fourth quarter to lead 20-12. 

Senior Seth Albin (Midlothian, ill.-Oak Forest) would make the final push for the Titans, scoring off a nine-yard run in an 11-play possession in what would ultimately be the 20-18 defeat. 

Illinois Wesleyan is back on the road next Saturday as they head to Kenosha, Wis. for a battle with the Carthage College Firebirds.