MORRIS, Minn. – Behind a stout defense – which only allowed 128 yards of total offense and forced five turnovers – and a pair of Jordan Joseph (St. Michael, Minn./St. Michael Albertville) second half touchdown runs, the University of Northwestern football team shutout the University of Minnesota-Morris, 24-0, Saturday at Big Cat Stadium.   

BJ Foster (Charles City, Iowa/Charles City) put UNW on the board midway through the first, as the freshman found paydirt from four yards out to give the Eagles an early advantage. It was Foster's first-career touchdown.

Ben Lyons (North Olmstead, Ohio/Ohio Distance & Electronic Learning Academy) was one of many stars Saturday, as the UNW placekicker connected on field goals from 42 yards out and 33 yards out, while also going 3-for-3 on PAT's.   

The Eagles extended their lead to 10-0 right before the half, as Lyons split the uprights from 33 yards out for his first field goal of the afternoon. The two teams traded picks in the final minute of the half and the score remained 10-0 heading into intermission.

Joseph capped off a 12-play drive that covered 82 yards with his first collegiate score, as the running back found the end zone from seven yards out to move the UNW lead to 17-0. The first-year back would then score again early in the fourth – this time from 11 yards out – to cushion the UNW lead to 24-0.

Lyons' 42-yard boot with 3:48 remaining in the game secured the second conference win of the season for the Eagles.

Ben Greener (Foley, Minn./Home School) was in on eight stops, while Nathan Van Zee (Moose Lake, Minn./Moose Lake) (3 tackles for loss), Luke Sommerlot (Pocahontas, Iowa/Pocahontas Area ) and Andrew Smith (Henning, Minn./Henning) all racked up six tackles each. Austin Stubbs (Pleasant Hill, Iowa/Des Moines Christian), Grant Stroud (Moorhead, Minn./Hillcrest Academy), Daniel Stratton (Lucerne Valley, Calif./Lucerne Valley) and Smith all grabbed an interception, while Nick Swore (Grand Rapids, Mich./Northpointe Christian) recorded a fumble recovery.

Zac Cash (Highlands Ranch, Colo. /Mountain Vista ) rushed for a game-high 76 yards on 23 carries and Joe Sutton (Minneapolis, Minn./Benilde St. Margaret's) hauled in five Grant Schoen (Independence, Minn. /Orono) passes for 73 yards to lead the receiving corps.

The Eagles will stay on the road, as Coach Talley and company will head to Martin Luther next Saturday. Kickoff in New Ulm is slated for 1 p.m.