COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. – The University of Northwestern Eagles took on the No. 4/6 Saint John's University Johnnies in the First Round of the 2022 NCAA Division III Football Championship on Saturday. The Eagles' season came to a close in the national tournament as UNW fell to the Johnnies 49-0 on a 14-degree afternoon in Collegeville.
The Johnnies scored in the first quarter with a 41-yard touchdown reception. In the second quarter, SJU found the end zone with a nine-yard reception, a six-yard reception, a four-yard run, and an 11-yard reception. Saint John's scored in the third quarter with a 33-yard run. In the fourth, the Johnnies found the end zone with a six-yard run.
Caden Cantrell (Taylor, Ariz./Snowflake) was 23-for-32 through the air for 207 yards. Senior tight end
Damon Clapper (Dallas Center, Iowa/Dallas Center - Grimes) led UNW receivers with nine receptions for 86-yards and added a punt-block on special teams.
Sivert Klefsaas (Motley, Minn./Staples-Motley) and
Jeremiah Staten (South Elgin, Ill./Wheaton Academy) each rushed for 27 yards.
On defense,
Vito Massa (River Falls, Wis./River Falls) and
Brad Kulinski (Milwaukee, Wis./Martin Luther) combined for a sack.
Zane Schlabach (Keystone, S.D./Rapid City Christian) and
Jayden Goodwin (New Richmond, Wis./Saint Croix Central) led UNW with six total tackles each.
Nathan Fenske (Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville North) had a pass break-up in the secondary.
Northwestern finished the 2022 season with a 6-5 record. The Eagles went undefeated in conference play to win the UMAC Championship; their 19
th in program history and their first since 2016. UNW will look to build upon this season's success and defend their conference title in 2023.
