ST. PAUL, Minn. – The University of Northwestern football team welcomed St. Scholastica to Reynolds Field for a blustery 6 p.m. kickoff Saturday night. The last seven matchups between the two teams have been decided by seven points or less, and tonight looked to be the same before the Saints scored 12 4th-quarter points to secure a 26-16 final win.  

Northwestern moves to 1-5 on the year and 1-3 in the UMAC. Scholastica improves to 5-1 overall, 3-1 in conference action.  

With strong winds and steady precipitation, UNW got off to a tough start when the Saints defense intercepted a Damon Clapper (Dallas Center, Iowa/Dallas Center - Grimes) pass on the Eagles first possession. Scholastica quarterback, Zach Edwards, would complete three straight passes (the longest for 41-yards) to score with 13:32 on the clock in the 1st.
 
The Eagles would change the momentum to start the second quarter when Yannick Kabamba (Los Angeles, Calif./Norwalk) recovered a fumble to set UNW up for a scoring opportunity. Payton Bowdry (Minneapolis, Minn./South) put together a pair of rushes for 39 yards before Blake Mitchell (Watertown, S.D./Watertown) connected on a 22-yard field goal attempt to pull the Eagles within four (7-3).
 
The Saints recorded their second scoring play of the game after recovering a fumble (on an intended UNW punt), and returning it 16-yards for a touchdown. Late in the quarter, Scholastica was in prime scoring position again (2nd and Goal) when UNW's Bradly Kulinski (Milwaukee, Wis./Martin Luther) recovered a fumble and ran it 95-yards for a UNW touchdown (14-9 Saints).
 
After a scoreless third quarter, it would be the Saints to score first on a 14-play drive – increasing the lead to 20-9. In a crucial possession, UNW would give it away – setting the Saints up for another quick touchdown.
 
Down by 17 with time expiring, the Eagles showed some grit when quarterback Ryan Flanigan (River Falls, Wis./River Falls) came in and completed a 46-yard pass to Jared Bragdon (St. Petersburg, Fla./Keswick Christian). Payton Bowdry (Minneapolis, Minn./South) would run it in a yard for a UNW touchdown, the senior's fifth this season.
 
Bowdry led the running efforts, picking up 94 yards on 22 attempts. Ryan Flanigan (River Falls, Wis./River Falls) completed three passes for 90 yards. 
 
On the defensive end, George Obitz (Florence, Ariz./Florence) led the Eagles with 11 tackles. Chase Marlenee (Northfield, Minn./Northfield) added seven tackles and his first interception of the season. Bradly Kulinski (Milwaukee, Wis./Martin Luther), Josiah Nohr (Merrill, Wis./Merrill) and Seth Johnson (Westlake Village, Calif./Oaks Christian) each recorded a sack on the night.

Northwestern will return to action on Saturday, Oct. 19 when they travel to Minnesota Morris. Kickoff vs. the Cougars is slated for 6 p.m.

For all things Northwestern football, visit www.unweagles.com or follow along on Twitter and Instagram at @unwfb.