ST. PAUL – It took an entire 60 minutes for a winner to prevail in a in a battle of the top two teams in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) Saturday night at Reynolds Field. The University of Northwestern football team saw its last-minute drive come up just short, as the College of St. Scholastica intercepted a pass as time expired to halt the Eagles' last-second comeback attempt and defeat UNW, 13-7.

Chris Simon-Wallace (Minnetonka, Minn./Minnetonka) – making his 2015 debut – put the Eagles out in front late in the second quarter, scoring on a 3-yard touchdown plunge. The Saints answered back with two scores in the final minute of the half, capitalizing on a UNW turnover to score what proved to be the game-winning touchdown with eight seconds remaining. The second half was a battle of the top two defenses in the league, as neither offense was able to generate any points.

On the game's final drive – which began with 19 seconds remaining – Grant Schoen (Independence, Minn. /Orono) fired a pass deep down the home sidelines, where Daniel Petkau (Rib Lake, Wis./Rib Lake) was able to use his 6'6'' frame to haul in the 44-yard reception at the CSS 29-yard line. UNW rushed to the line and spiked the ball, giving them eight seconds to take two shots to the end zone. The Saints were able to successfully defend both attemps, intercepting the final throw to hold on to win the thriller 13-7.

The Northwestern defense held the Saints to just 280 yards of total offense and a season-low 13 points. Ben Greener (Foley, Minn./Home School) had a big night, as he recorded 15 tackles, while Grant Stroud (Moorhead, Minn./Hillcrest Academy) was in on 11 stops.

Luke Sommerlot (Pocahontas, Iowa/Pocahontas Area ) had two sacks and Nick Swore (Grand Rapids, Mich./Northpointe Christian) came up with a huge interception deep in UNW territory on Scholastica's first drive of the game to prevent an early Saints score.

Schoen finished 10-of-23 for 137 yards, while Zac Cash (Highlands Ranch, Colo. /Mountain Vista ) ran for 53 yards on 10 carries. Zach Duerwachter (La Crescent, Minn./La Crescent) (40 yards) and Caleb Couwenhoven (Blaine, Minn./Fridley) (26 yards) each grabbed two receptions.

UNW will host Westminster next Saturday at 12 p.m.