ST. PAUL, Minn.- The UNW Football team had not played a game in the fall at Reynolds Field for two years, and that streak came to an end on a beautiful Saturday night as the Eagles squared off against the Buena Vista Beavers. UNW Nation gave the Eagles a warm welcome by packing the stadium and providing a great atmosphere for the home opener. The Eagles would fall to the Beavers 58-21.

The Eagles came out ready to play and gave the "Gold Out" crowd a lot to cheer about early on. After winning the toss and deferring to the second half, the Eagles defense wasted no time in making a play. On the first play from scrimmage, Damon Clapper (Dallas Center, Iowa/Dallas Center - Grimes) came unblocked off the edge and delivered a hit on the Beaver quarterback that forced an errant throw that was intercepted by Brad Kulinski (Milwaukee, Wis./Martin Luther). Three plays later, the Eagles offense cashed in on the turnover that gave them excellent field position as quarterback Ryan Flanigan (River Falls, Wis./River Falls) delivered a strike right up the seam to tight end Isaac Loe (Cottonwood, Minn./Lakeview) for a 23 yard touchdown to give the Eagles the early 7-0 lead.

The fast pace would continue, as only two minutes later the Beavers evened the score at seven apiece. Emanuel Alaniz broke multiple tackles on his way into the end zone, scoring for Buena Vista.

With two minutes remaining in the first quarter, Flanigan and the offense once again capitalized on a Beaver turnover. A terrific play design sprung Caleb Sieben (Anoka, Minn./Anoka) into the end zone uncovered as he hauled in the 16 yard touchdown, and Northwestern was back in the lead, 14-7.

The rollercoaster of a first half continued, as the Beavers would tie the score early on in the second quarter with another touchdown run, this time from Keaton Huebner.

On the ensuing possession, a 60 yard completion from Flanigan to Sieben put the ball on the Beavers' two yard line. Flanigan would then fake the handoff up the middle, and bootleg out to the right where he found Isaac Loe (Cottonwood, Minn./Lakeview) alone in the end zone for his second touchdown of the night.

The Beavers would answer right back, scoring on the following possession. Keaton Huebner scored again, this time a one yard plunge into the end zone. The extra point was missed, and the Eagles clung onto a one point, 21-20 lead. The Beavers closed out the second half with a 23 yard field goal from Ramon Garcia, and the wild first half was over as the Eagles trailed 23-21.

Forcing turnovers was the story for the Eagles' defense all night long, and that was on display in the first half. The Eagles forced a remarkable five turnovers in the first half alone against the Beavers. Nic Schultz (Fontana, Calif./Etiwanda), Luke Nienow (Rochester, Minn./Mayo), and Gavin Bowser (Roseville, Minn./Roseville) all recovered fumbles in the first half, and Luke Malamisuro (Cambridge Isanti, Minn./Cambridge Isanti) had an impressive interception on a jump ball in the corner of the end zone, saving a touchdown.

Coming out of the half, the Beavers would capitalize on some opportunities and stretch out their lead. On the first possession of the second half, Brady McConaty would intercept a UNW pass and return it for a Buena Vista touchdown. The Beavers took a 30-21 lead after the made extra point, and their defense continued the strong play throughout the second half.

Brandon Kyles, the duel threat QB who had a nice night for BVU, would run in a 14 yard touchdown, and threw a 26 yard touchdown pass to his running back Keaton Huebner for his third score of the night, as the Eagles trailed 44-21 going into the fourth quarter. A 70 yard touchdown reception by Eric Pacheco and a 21 yard touchdown reception by Quinn Hussey in the fourth quarter would land the final score at 58-21.

Northwestern's defense forced an impressive seven turnovers from the Beavers' offense. In the second half, Tate Bounds (Verndale, Minn./Verndale) recorded his first interception of the year by making a great break on the ball on a deep pass down the middle, and knew exactly what to do with the ball once he had it, returning it 28 yards. Zane Schlabach (Rapid City, S.D./Rapid City Christian) would cause the seventh and final Beaver turnover of the night, as he recovered a fumble in the closing minutes.

The Eagles offense had an explosive first half, and will look to build on that half going forward. Quarterback Ryan Flanigan (River Falls, Wis./River Falls) finished the night completing 14 of 26 passes for 177 yards, 3 touchdowns, and an interception. Caleb Sieben (Anoka, Minn./Anoka) had a monster night catching the football, going for 136 yards and a touchdown on 10 catches. Isaac Loe (Cottonwood, Minn./Lakeview) had 5 catches for 46 yards and two touchdowns.

The loss dropped the Eagles to 0-2 on the year. UNW Football will be back in action at Reynolds Field again next Saturday, as they play host to UW-River Falls. That game will be a 6:00pm kickoff. The game marks UNW's annual Football Frenzy event, so it will be another fun night at Reynolds Field!