ST. PAUL, Minn. – The University of Northwestern football team (2-3 overall, 2-1 UMAC) hosted a talented MacMurray team in Saturday Homecoming action at Reynolds Field. The Highlanders put together a 15-point first half performance and rode it out to victory, despite being held scoreless in the final two quarters. MacMurray improved to 2-1 overall, 2-0 in conference play.
It was the Highlanders who struck first, scoring less than two minutes into the game on a Marquez Ellison four-yard rush. The Eagles answered back near the 10 minute mark when
Josiah Donat (Elk River, Minn./Washtenaw Christian Academy) connected on his fourth field goal this season – this one coming from 35-yards.
The Highlanders picked up another two points on a safety to take an 8-3 lead to end first quarter action. The Eagles cut the lead in the second after orchestrating 31 yards of offense that resulted in a 22-yard field goal make by Donat. MacMurray put their final score on the board with under two minutes to go in the half to take a 15-6 lead.
Despite the halftime deficit, sophomore
Jadon Hatt (Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville North) kept the momentum on the Eagles side, picking up two interceptions and a fumble recovery in the first 30 minutes of play.
After a scoreless third quarter, the Eagles rallied back to score on a
Taylor Lindahl (Watertown, S.D./Watertown) 65-yard touchdown pass to
Evan Pruitt (Temecula, Calif./Rancho Christian High School). Donat's PAT was good, bringing the score to 15-13 (Highlanders).
The last chance efforts fell short as the Eagles were unable to produce a score on their final drive.
Pruitt scored the lone touchdown for Northwestern and hauled in five receptions that covered a team-high 89 yards.
Gavin Welch (Buffalo, Minn./Buffalo) grabbed six passes for 49 yards.
Nate VanBeusekom (Arden Hills, Minn./Mounds View) led the running efforts for the Eagles, picking up 35 yards on nine rushing attempts.
Payton Bowdry (Minneapolis, Minn./South) finished with a gain of 27 yards on eight rushes.
On the defensive end,
George Obitz (Florence, Ariz./Florence) led the Eagles with 12 tackles, while
Daniel Fenske (Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville North) came up with 10.
Felipe Ramirez (Faribault, Minn./Faribault) recorded two sacks (for a loss of 15 yards) and
Wyatt Fitterer (New Richland, Minn./NRHEG) added one sack for a loss of six.
Northwestern will continue UMAC play next week as they travel to Duluth, Minn. to take on a 2-2 (2-1 UMAC) St. Scholastica team. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 6 at Public Schools Stadium.
