ST. PAUL -- Northwestern College and Crown College will face off in a 1 p.m. battle on Saturday in the final home game of the 2011 season at Reynolds Field.

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About Northwestern:
Northwestern (3-3 overall, 3-2 UMAC) will play its final home game of the season at Reynolds Field today after losing to the College of St. Scholastica at last week's homecoming, 35-7. The Eagles trailed 7-0 at halftime after a defensive first half, but NWC's defense was on the field too much in the second half and the Saints took advantage of it, scoring 28 points in 30 minutes.

Offense
Despite last week's seven-point performance for NWC's offense, the Eagles still enter today's game third in the UMAC in scoring offense, averaging 36.4 points per game. Quarterback Josh Balzer (Shorview, Minn./Mounds View) (Shoreview, Minn./Mounds View) eclipsed the 1,000 yard mark for the 2011 campaign in last week's contest and has completed 58 percent of his passes to go with a 3:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio.

With Tim Youtzy (Hinton, Iowa/Hinton) (Hinton, Iowa/Hinton) out of NWC's lineup due to an injury, the Eagles rushing attack struggled last Saturday, gaining just 66 yards on the ground. Josh Young (Shoreview, Minn./Concordia Academy) (Shoreview, Minn./Concordia Academy) & Co. will look to regain their previous form, as Northwestern has averaged 139.8 yards per game this season.

Much of Northwestern's offensive success has come as a result of Balzer getting the ball in Chad Rusinkovich (San Clemente, Calif./San Clemente)'s (San Clemente, Calif./San Clemente) hands. The Eagles are 3-0 in games that the senior receiver has recorded 70 or more receiving yards. The same is true when NWC has converted on its red zone opportunities. In their three victories this season, the Eagles have scored in 14 of the 17 times they've been inside the opponents' 20-yard line.

Defense
Northwestern's defense held strong throughout last Saturday's first half, allowing St. Scholastica quarterback Alex Thiry, who leads the nation in passing efficiency, to throw for just five yards in the initial half hour. The Eagles' front four have caused problems for opposing quarterbacks, and NWC hopes to continue that trend today. As the team's starting defensive ends, Dave Kleiner (Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville Academy) (Lakeville, Minn./Bethany Academy) and Josh Swore (Grand Rapids, Mich./Forest Hills Central) (Grand Rapids, Mich./Forest Hills Central) have combined for 52 tackles, 15 of which have been for a loss, and eight sacks. Luke Delain (Denmark, Wis./Denmark) (Denmark, Wis./Denmark) continues to lead the team with 44 tackles while seven Eagles have 29 or more tackles in 2011.

About Crown:
Crown College (0-5 overall, 0-4 UMAC) comes to Reynolds Field in desperate need of a win, having not won a game since October 23 of last year. The Storm had one of their better seasons at 6-3 in 2010, but lost 15 starters in the transition to the 2011 campaign, including key seniors in quarterback Adam Hayes and receiver Drew Milner.

Offense
Crown is ranked ninth in the UMAC in scoring offense, averaging 16.5 points per conference game. The Storm feature a power running game geared up the middle and then use it as a decoy with play action in passing situations. 11 of the Storm's 13 touchdowns this season have come on the ground. Tyler Hallblade and Amos Schmidt split time at the halfback position. Hallblade, who recently surpassed 2,000 career rushing yards last week, has more yards this season at 304, but Schmidt has six touchdowns to his name.

Newcomer quarterback Wes Safford has come onto Crown's scene averaging 158.2 passing yards, throwing for two touchdowns and five interceptions. Kevin Klingbiel (44.2 receiving yards per game) and David Ruzga (31.6 yards per game) have emerged as Safford's favorite targets.

Defense
While its offense struggles, the Crown defense hasn't found much more success in conference action this year, placing 10th in total defense, allowing an average of 482 yards per game. Defensive linemen Zack Jusczack and Thomas Morimoto lead the Storm with 36 and 33 tackles. Jusczack has 4.5 tackles for a loss and 1.5 sacks, having forced two fumbles.