ST. PAUL, Minn. – The University of Northwestern welcomed Minnesota-Morris to Reynolds Field for a Saturday night UMAC contest – celebrating the 2018 Football Frenzy. The Eagles came out on top, recording a 20-17 win thanks in part to a record-setting rush and two fourth quarter blocked Cougar kicks. With the win, UNW improved to 3-4 overall and 3-2 in the UMAC (fourth place).

The Cougars were first to score, driving 52 yards in 12 plays that resulted in a 30-yard field goal make to take a 3-0 lead. The momentum continued in Morris's favor as they executed a textbook pooch punt that left the Eagles with possession at their own 1-yard line.
 
Events quickly shifted when Payton Bowdry (Minneapolis, Minn./South) found an opening on the Taylor Lindahl (Watertown, S.D./Watertown) hand-off and rushed for a school record-setting 99-yard touchdown. The previous longest-run was held by Joey Wise (95-yards) set in 2001.

The Cougars answered back, connecting on a 24-yard field goal attempt to pull within one, followed by a 30-yarder with time expiring. Morris held the Eagles scoreless in the second quarter to hold a 9-7 advantage at the half.

Northwestern returned from intermission with some spark, scoring a touchdown apiece on each of their first two possessions. The first came on an 11-play drive that resulted in an 8-yard Lindahl to Evan Pruitt (Temecula, Calif./Rancho Christian High School) touchdown pass. Josiah Donat's (Elk River, Minn./Washtenaw Christian Academy) PAT was good.
 
The second came after a nine-play drive orchestrated by 37 yards of Lindahl passing and a strong 15-yard Bowdry Rush. Bowdry rushed in a 1-yard touchdown to give the Eagles a 20-9 lead.
 
The Cougars held on – forcing three UNW fumbles in the final quarter and putting an early TD on the board to draw the score within three (after executing the two-point conversion).

The Eagles blocked two late field goal attempts to keep the lead, and forced Morris to punt in their final two drives.

Evan Pruitt (Temecula, Calif./Rancho Christian High School) scored one touchdown for Northwestern and hauled in five receptions that covered a team-high 73 receiving yards. Caleb Sieben (Anoka, Minn./Anoka) had four catches for 40 yards.
 
Payton Bowdry (Minneapolis, Minn./South) led the running efforts, picking up 138 yards on 15 rushing attempts to score two touchdowns. Nate VanBeusekom (Arden Hills, Minn./Mounds View) finished with a gain of 68 yards on 17 rushes.
 
On the defensive end, Daniel Fenske (Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville North) led the Eagles with 10 tackles, one pass breakup and an interception. George Obitz (Florence, Ariz./Florence) and Seth Johnson (Westlake Village, Calif./Oaks Christian) each forced a fumble.
 
Northwestern will continue UMAC play on Friday when they host Martin Luther at Reynolds Field. Kickoff is slated for 7 PM against the conference leader.