NORTHFIELD, Minn. – After pulling out a dramatic win last year, the University of Northwestern football team found itself on the wrong end of this year's thriller with St. Olaf, dropping a 16-13 heartbreaker Saturday to the host Oles in the season opener for both schools.  

With neither team finding paydirt in the opening frame, the Eagles put together a 14-play 61-yard drive that chewed up nearly six minutes of time. Senior Grant Schoen (Independence, Minn. /Orono), who got his first start under center Saturday, capped things off with a two-yard touchdown run.

The ensuing drive, the Eagle defense forced a three and out, allowing them an opportunity to add to its lead. UNW would score on its next drive, as David Rodriguez (Minneapolis, Minn./Washburn) recovered a BJ Foster (Charles City, Iowa/Charles City) fumble in the end zone to give the visitors a 13-0 advantage.

The Oles picked off a Schoen pass and returned it 23 yards for a score to trim UNW's lead to 13-7. St. Olaf then converted a 35-yard field goal with three seconds remaining the first half to put the score at 13-10 heading into the break.

In what turned out to be a defensive battle in the second half, the Oles capitalized after UNW blocked a field goal attempt and then fumbled the return to put up the only points of the final 30 minutes of play. Nate Penz, a regular at quarterback for the last three years, found Jorgen Salveson on a six-yard touchdown pass late in the game to put Olaf on top, 16-13. The Eagles then constructed a drive that allowed them a chance to even the score, but were unable to connect on the game-tying field goal and the Oles held on to win the contest.

In his debut, Grant Schoen (Independence, Minn. /Orono) finished 15-for-29 for 129 yards. Jacob Fettig (Waconia, Minn./Waconia), Caleb Couwenhoven (Blaine, Minn./Fridley) and Cody Carlson (Dallas Center, Iowa/Des Moines Christian) all hauled in three receptions to lead the Eagles' air attack. On the ground, Zach Cash's 69 yards on 15 carries paced the Eagles.

Austin Stubbs' 11 tackles and one pass breakup led a stout UNW defense, while Grant Stroud (Moorhead, Minn./Hillcrest Academy) and Luke Sommerlot (Pocahontas, Iowa/Pocahontas Area ) tallied nine stops each.

The Eagles will welcome Crown next Saturday for UNW's home and UMAC opener. Kickoff at Reynolds Field is slated for 7 p.m. as Northwestern will host its annual Football Frenzy event. Fans can find more information on the 2015 football season at www.unweagles.com.