Wheaton College Athletics

Wheaton, Ill. - The Wheaton football team defeated North Park 33-3 on Saturday for Wheaton's Homecoming game. Wheaton, ranked No. 3 in both Division III Top-25 polls, is now 5-0 overall and 0-3 in CCIW play. North Park falls to 0-5 overall and 0-3 in conference action.

Wheaton controlled the ball today as the Thunder offense amassed 404 total yards, with 203 rushing yards and 201 passing yards. Wheaton's defense held North Park to 148 yards, with just 20 rushing yards and 128 passing yards. The recorded 27 first downs to just 11 for NPU.

Thunder running back Matt Crider (PICTURED LEFT)scored the hosts' first touchdown of the game at the of Wheaton's first offensive drive of the game. Crider reached the end zone on a five-yard touchdown run that capped an eight-play drive of 65 yards. Caleb Ryan converted the PAT kick to give Wheaton a 7-0 lead with 8:51 remaining in the first quarter.  

Quarterback Mark Forcucci scored on a 19-yard touchdown rush with 7:06 left in the second quarter. The TD increased Wheaton's lead to 13-0 with 7:06 left in the first half, which remained as the score at the halftime intermission.

A five-yard Forcucci touchdown run extended Wheaton's lead with 2:14 remaining in the third quarter. Ryan converted the PAT that followed to give Wheaton a 20-0 lead.

Crider reached the end zone on a 15-yard touchdown run and Ryan kicked the PAT to give Wheaton a 27-0 lead with 14:54 left in the fourth quarter. Caleb Titherington reached the endzone on a 20-yard run. Titherington's score on the reverse increased Wheaton's lead 33-0 with 12:12 left in the game. Titherington's run capped a quick three-play drive that started at the NPU 37-yard line thanks to an interception by Wheaton defensive back David Harvin to give Wheaton the ball back quickly after the Crider touchdown. North Park quarterback Paul Palmer threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to

Levi Sheehan for the guests' lone score of the game. The touchdown toss came with 58-seconds left in the game and accounted for the 33-6 final score.

Forcucci was 19-for-26 passing on the day as he threw for 182 yards. Luca Carbonaro was 2-for-3 passing for 19 yards when he came in relief of Forcucci in the fourth quarter. Sam McFadden and Caleb Titherington each had 36 receiving yards, while Luke Crawford had 35 receiving yards. McFadden each had four receptions to lead Wheaton. Crider carried the ball 17 times for 94 yards with the two touchdown runs.

All-American linebacker Zeke Harris (PICTURED RIGHT) tallied 11 total tackles, with a four-yard tackle for loss. Caleb Coburn registered six total tackles. Harvin had five total tackles with the second-half interception. Eli Reeves also had five total tackles. Chase Jennings registered 1-1/2 sacks (-16 yards), while Maxton Leathers (-6 yards) and Ethan Brunner (-8 yards) each had a sack for a Wheaton defense that recorded eight tackles for loss in the game.

Wheaton travels to No. 1 ranked North Central next Saturday for the annual "Battle for the Little Brass Bell". Next Saturday's battle of top-ranked teams kicks off at 1:00 p.m.