MINNEAPOLIS – The Northwestern College football team's on-field woes continued on Saturday as the Eagles lost their fourth consecutive game to Westminster College, 27-9. Injuries continued to plague NWC as the Purple and Gold struggled to get its rushing game headed in the right direction at UMAC Dome Day.
As has been the case numerous times this season, Northwestern's defense kept the Eagles in the game early by holding Westminster's offense to a pair of field goals in the first half. The Blue Jays stretched their lead to 13-0 on a five-yard scoring run from Scott Rodgers before Cody Crum (Rushville, Ill./Rushville Industry) (Rushville, Ill./Industry) gave the Eagles some much-needed life with a 38-yard field goal midway through the third quarter.
Soon thereafter, Crum's name became another number as the senior wide receiver and kicker joined several of his teammates who were already dressed in street clothes due to previous injuries on the sideline with a sprained ankle.
Despite a Chris Starkey touchdown run, Northwestern kept itself in the game when Josh Balzer (Shorview, Minn./Mounds View) (Shoreview, Minn./Mounds View) connected with Eric Baumgartner (Roseville, Minn./Homeschooled) (Roseville, Minn./Home School) in the end zone to capitalize on an eight-play, 68-yard drive that took less than three minutes and the scoreboard read 20-9 with nine minutes to go in the game. Westminster's Carl Givens slashed any hope of an Eagles' comeback as he scored on a 23-yard pass from Rodgers, allowing the Blue Jays to even the series score between the two teams at 4-4.
Northwestern couldn't get anything going on the ground, rushing 23 times for a total of 26 yards. Balzer didn't have his best game of the season, completing 11 of 31 passes for 112 yards to go with a touchdown and two interceptions. Crum was NWC's leading receiver, catching three passes for 45 yards before suffering his injury.
Sam Lepa (Cresco, Iowa/Crestwood) (Cresco, Iowa/Crestwood) had one of his best games as an Eagle in the Metrodome, posting 9.5 tackles from his new inside linebacker position. David Discher (Andover, Minn./Andover) (Andover, Minn./Andover) followed close behind with 7.5 tackles on the day as the Eagles yielded 228 yards on the ground and another 174 through the air.
NWC will continue to attempt to right the ship with its next opportunity coming next Saturday, Nov. 7 at the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minn. The Eagles and Saints will square off at 4 p.m. at the University of Minnesota, Duluth's field.
