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Eagles trounce Wisconsin Lutheran in 2008 debut, 43-7

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ST PAUL (Sep. 6, 2008) -- The Northwestern College football team started 2008 right where it ended the 2007 season, winning their ninth consecutive game en route to a 43-7 lopsided victory over Wisconsin Lutheran College.
 
Northwestern took advantage on their very first possession, capping off an eight-play, 47-yard drive with a 38-yard field goal by Cody Crum (Rushville, Ill./Rushville Industry) (Rushville, Ill./Rushville Industry). After a three and out by Wisconsin Lutheran, NWC struck again on offense. This time, quarterback Zach Tarter (Crystal Falls, Mich./Forest Park High School) (Crystal Falls, Mich./Forest Park) found Dan Prusinski (Scottsdale, AZ/Fountain Hills High School) (Scottsdale, Ariz./Fountain Hills), who bolted to the end zone for an 11-yard score. The ensuing PAT attempt failed, giving the Eagles a 9-0 lead with 4:52 remaining in the first quarter.

Crum, who joined Northwestern's receiving corps this season after being the team's full-time place kicker in 2007, had a breakout play two minutes later, catching a Tarter pass before cruising to the end zone in a 61-yard strike. NWC ended the first quarter with a 16-0 advantage.

Fans in attendance saw more of the same in the second quarter, as Prusinski caught another Tarter pass for six points at the 12:53 mark. Tight end Nathan Clanton (Minnetonka, MN/Minnetonka High School) (Minnetonka, Minn./Minnetonka) followed with a touchdown of his own, as Tarter found him for a four-yard score to give the Eagles a 30-0 lead.

Crum added his second of three field goals less than a minute before the end of the second half, and Northwestern went into the locker room with a 33-0 advantage at the break.
 
Northwestern's defense held Wisconsin Lutheran to three-and-out in the Warrior's first four attempts on offense. WLC didn't run more than four plays on any of their drives in the first half, losing the battle of first downs in the same period of time (0-33).

Tarter had amassed 240 passing yards in the first half, throwing for four touchdowns. The quarterback wrapped up his day going 17 for 27, totaling 252 yards.

After Wisconsin Lutheran gave the Eagles a little more pressure to begin the second half, Crum used his golden foot again, kicking a 33-yard field goal through the uprights with 1:31 to go in the third quarter. 

The Warriors finally found the end zone three minutes into the final quarter, as Josh McCormick hit Dominique Johnson on a 19-yard fade route, cutting Northwestern's lead to 36-7.

On the Eagles' first play from scrimmage to start the next drive, Northwestern's Rahnee Dennard (Mesa, Ariz./Brophy College Prep) (Mesa, Ariz./Brophy College Prep) broke out for a 64-yard run, wrapping up the game's scoring at 43-7.

Dennard was the Eagles' leading rusher, carrying the ball 12 times for 95 yards and a score. Ryan Long (Dassel, Minn./Dassel-Cokato) (Dassel, Minn./Dassel-Cokato) added 51 yards on 11 attempts to balance the running attack.

Crum led all players with 82 yards and a touchdown, while Kyle Thomforde (Northfield, Minn./Northfield High School) (Northfield, Minn./Northfield) contributed 48 receiving yards. The junior receiver also sneaked a pass in his day's work, hitting fellow receiver Jake Rusinkovich (San Clemente, Calif./San Clement High School) (San Clemente, Calif./San Clemente) for a 35-yard strike in NWC's initial drive. Clanton recorded 47 yards and a touchdown on four receptions, while Rusinkovich had 59 yards on three catches.

David Kleiner (Lakeville, Minn./Bethany Academy) led Northwestern in tackles with 5.5. The sophomore also had a sack.

Taylor Swanson (Monticello, Minn./Monticello High School) (Monticello, Minn./Monticello) and Spencer Sommerlot (Pocahontas, IA/Pocahontas Area High School) (Pocahontas, Iowa/Pocahontas) also had five tackles apiece, while Swanson recorded the team's first interception of the year. Andrew Savaria (Andover, MN/Andover) (Andover, Minn./Andover) also had a pick in the game.

McCormick had 94 yards passing and a touchdown for Wisconsin Lutheran, while Larry Hairl was the Warriors' rushing leader with 10 yards on 10 carries. Colin Makepeace had a game-high seven tackles for WLC.

Northwestern (1-0, 0-0 UMAC) will have more of a challenge next Saturday, when Simpson College comes to Reynolds Field for Football Frenzy, where a current or prospective Northwestern student will have the chance to win free tuition amongst other prizes. Wisconsin Lutheran begins the year at 0-1 (0-0 NAC).

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