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Bluejay Football Team Closes 2007 Season With Win
Box Score
ELMHURST, Ill. - The Elmhurst College football team wrapped up the 2007 season with a 24-14 win over North Park University.The Bluejays scored 14 fourth-quarter points to overcome a 14-10 deficit and earn their sixth win of the season.
Elmhurst (6-4, 3-4 CCIW) controlled the clock, enjoying a nine-minute time of possession advantage, and outgained North Park (1-9, 0-7) by 190 yards, but two big plays gave North Park a 14-10 lead entering the fourth quarter.
The Bluejays grabbed the lead for good early in the fourth quarter. The Bluejays capped a 79-yard drive with a Chris Kudyba (Des Plaines/Elk Grove) four-yard toss to Ryan Freund (Johnsburg/H.S.).
After a pair of North Park punts, the Bluejays took over at their own 45-yard line. Six plays later, Elmhurst wrapped up the game with a five-yard TD pass from Kudyba to Lex Cisler (East Grand Rapids, Mich./H.S.).
The Bluejays got one the scoreboard on their opening possession of the game. Elmhurst drove 52 yards and settled for a 30-yard Tyler Lomnicki (Elmhurst/York) field goal.
North Park grabbed the lead in the second quarter after Geoffery Montgomery picked off Kudyba and returned the ball to the Elmhurst 14-yard line. Three plays later, Shelby Wood hit Chris Durr from eight-yards out to put North Park up 7-3.
The Bluejays grabbed the lead late in the half when Kudyba capped a five-play, 41-yard drive with a six-yard TD pass to Ryan Gierke (Elburn/Kaneland).
With just 45 seconds left before the half, it appeared Elmhurst would carry the lead into the locker room at halftime, but North Park's BJ Chandler returned the ensuing kickoff 75 yards for a touchdown to put North Park up 14-10 at the break.
Elmhurst finished the contest with 389 yards, 222 on the ground and 137 through the air. North Park totaled 199 yards of offense, with 47 yards on the ground and 152 yards through the air.
David Wilharm (Elgin/Larkin) became the first Bluejay to post back-to-back 100-yard rushing games since Eric Luna during the 2004 season. Wilharm carried 26 times for 132 yards. Kudyba finished 19-of-30 for 167 yards and three touchdowns. Blake Veldhuis (Mt. Pleasant, Mich./H.S.) was the top receiver, hauling in seven passes for 65 yards.
North Park was led by Kelvyn West's 53 rushing yards. Wood completed 15-of-33 passes for 152 yards and a touchdown. Durr was Wood's favorite target, catching nine passes for 102 yards and a touchdown.
Kyle Maple (Kaneville/Kaneland) led the Bluejay defense with seven tackles. Jon Jacobsen, Larry Avery and Montgomery all finished with 10 tackles to lead the Vikings.
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