ST. PAUL, MINN. – The University of Northwestern football team welcomed Crown College to Reynolds Field for the 2019 Football Frenzy celebration. In front of a full crowd under the Saturday night lights, the Eagles fought back from a 6-0 first quarter deficit to down the Storm, 23-6.
Payton Bowdry (Minneapolis, Minn./South) put together a career day, rushing for 185 yards on 24 carries and a touchdown to lead Northwestern to victory.
The Eagles move to 1-3 on the year and 1-1 in the UMAC. Crown moves to 1-3 overall, 0-2 in conference action.
Despite an evenly matched first quarter, the Storm got on the board after Avory Caruthers broke loose on an 80-yard touchdown rush with just under 7 minutes on the clock. The Eagles had two solid opportunities to respond, but came just shy on a missed 25-yard field goal attempt and a promising drive that came up short.
The Eagles offense and defense took over in the second, starting with a
Damon Clapper (Dallas Center, Iowa/Dallas Center - Grimes) to
KJ Downey (Blaine, Minn./Blaine) 33-yard touchdown pass. The extra point was good by
Blake Mitchell (Watertown, S.D./Watertown) to give Northwestern a 7-6 lead.
The Eagles continued to control the game in the second half – scoring in each of the remaining quarters while shutting down Crown defensively.
Blake Mitchell (Watertown, S.D./Watertown) connected on a 37-yard field goal to increase the lead to 10-6 before
Levi Johnson (Arden Hills, Minn./Mounds View) recorded his first career touchdown – snagging a 19-yard pass from Clapper to start the fourth.
It was Bowdry who secured the win with a late fourth quarter 1-yard touchdown rush. Bowdry led the running efforts, averaging a stellar 7.7 yards/carry.
Damon Clapper (Dallas Center, Iowa/Dallas Center - Grimes) completed 15 passes for 214 yards and two touchdowns.
Caleb Sieben (Anoka, Minn./Anoka) recorded a team-best 62 receiving yards on the night.
On the defensive end,
George Obitz (Florence, Ariz./Florence) led the Eagles with nine tackles. Nick Swore (Grand Rapids, Mich./North Pointe Christian) added seven tackles and an interception – his 14th of his career and the third most in UNW history.
Marcus Scarbrough (Pine City, Minn./Pine City) and Josiah Nohr (Merrill, Wis./Merrill) each recorded a sack, while Yannick Kabamba (Los Angeles, Calif./Norwalk) broke up three passes. Jacob Emley (St. Peter, Minn./St. Peter) also tacked on an interception for the Eagles.
Northwestern will return to action on Saturday, Oct. 5 when they travel to Jacksonville, Ill to take on MacMurray College. Kickoff is slated for 12 p.m.
For all things Northwestern football, visit www.unweagles.com or follow along on Twitter and Instagram at @unwfb.
