JACKSONVILLE, Ill. – The University of Northwestern football team hit the road to take on MacMurray College in Saturday afternoon Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) action. The Eagles took an early 6-0 lead over the Highlanders, but gave up 21 fourth quarter points to fall in a 41-20 final. UNW put together a comeback effort to start the fourth, but a 69-yard fumble recovery by the Highlanders would end the Eagles' late run.

Northwestern moves to 1-4 on the year and 1-2 in the UMAC. MacMurray improves to 2-2 overall, 2-0 in conference action.  
 
Northwestern put together a strong start, scoring on their second drive of the game. Damon Clapper (Dallas Center, Iowa/Dallas Center - Grimes) completed a pair of passes to KJ Downey (Blaine, Minn./Blaine) for a combined 31 yards followed by a 20-yard pass to Evan Pruitt (Temecula, Calif./Rancho Christian). Payton Bowdry (Minneapolis, Minn./South) ran it in four yards to give the Eagles a 6-0 lead.
 
Right out of the gates in the second quarter, the Highlanders completed a 29-yard touchdown pass to tie it up at six apiece. MacMurray was at it again on their next possession, capitalizing on a 25-yard rush and a roughing the passer penalty to set up a 1st and goal. A pair of rushes gave the Highlanders a 13-6 lead heading into the half.
 
MacMurray shut down the Eagle offense once again in the third quarter but added another touchdown to lead 20-6. Northwestern completely changed the pace of the game when they put together an 11 play, 68-yard drive to start the fourth. It was Payton Bowdry (Minneapolis, Minn./South) with his second touchdown rush of the day to close the scoring gap to 20-13 (with a good PAT from Blake Mitchell (Watertown, S.D./Watertown)).
 
Feeding off the offensive momentum, James Gentile (Las Vegas, Nev./Calvery Chapel) intercepted a pass on the Highlander's second play of their drive at the MacMurray 30-yard line. Nate Van Beusekom (Arden Hills, Minn./Mounds View) and Damon Clapper (Dallas Center, Iowa/Dallas Center - Grimes) put together back-to-back runs to set up a 1st and 10 at the MAC 10-yard line. With the tying score in sight, UNW fumbled and MacMurray recovered and returned it 69-yards.
 
It would take the Highlanders just one passing play to score. They followed it up with a big defensive play, intercepting a Clapper pass to score once again. The Eagles didn't back down – putting together a five play, 73-yard drive to score on a 10-yard Clapper to Levi Johnson (Arden Hills, Minn./Mounds View) touchdown pass. It would be the Eagles final scoring play of the game.
 
Bowdry led the running efforts, picking up 78 yards on 20 attempts with two touchdowns. Damon Clapper (Dallas Center, Iowa/Dallas Center - Grimes) completed 23 passes for 240 yards and a touchdown. Evan Pruitt (Temecula, Calif./Rancho Christian) recorded a season-best 77 receiving yards on the day.
 
On the defensive end, George Obitz led the Eagles with 13 tackles. Noah Nightingale (Fennville, Mich./Fennville) added six tackles (2.5 for loss) and a sack. James Gentile (Las Vegas, Nev./Calvery Chapel) and Jacob Emley (St. Peter, Minn./St. Peter) both recorded an interception.

Northwestern will return to action on Saturday, Oct. 12 when they welcome St. Scholastica to Reynolds Field. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m.

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