ST. PAUL – With temperatures predicted to be in the low 70's for the season-opening game under the lights, it looks as if it will be a perfect recipe for college football Saturday night at Reynolds Field when the University of Northwestern hosts Augsburg College in the Eagles' lone non-conference tilt of 2016. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
THE NORTHWESTERN FILE
The Eagles enter their first Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) contest of the 2016 season. The Eagles finished the 2015 season with 8-3 record, and ended with an appearance in the NCCAA Victory Bowl where they fell short to Southwest Assemblies of God University in a heartbreaking 10-7 loss. Under Coach Talley's watch the last 16 seasons, the Eagles have had just one season in which they finished under the .500 mark.
A LOOK AT THE OPPONENT
Augsburg is coming off a season in which it finished 5-5 overall and 4-4 in Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) play. The Auggies were picked to finish sixth in the MIAC Preseason Poll. Augsburg will have to replace four-year starting quarterback Ayrton Scott, who graduated as one of the top quarterback in MIAC history, set several school records during his playing career in Minneapolis.
IN THE POLLS
After finishing runner-up in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) a season ago, UNW was tabbed to finish second in the league in the last week's UMAC Preseason Coaches' Poll. The College of St. Scholastica was selected as the preseason favorite after putting together a perfect conference slate last fall. The Eagles and Saints will meet Oct. 15 in Duluth.
GOOD WORK, GREENER
UNW senior linebacker
Ben Greener (Foley, Minn./Home School) was nominated for the 2016 America Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Good Works Team. The Eagles' leading tackler in 2015 was one of 165 college football players nominated for the prestigious award that recognizes those committed to service and enriching the live of others.
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Fans unable to make it to campus Saturday night can follow the action via live links at
www.unweagles.com.
